This game is definitely underrated. The graphics are lacking by today's standards, but the story and the gameplay hold up over time. This is a role playing game, and because it is a PS1 game, there is no voice acting, so a lot of time will be spent reading through the plot line, but the story is entertaining enough to make you want to find out what happens next, so it isn't as tedious as you might think. The game opens with you playing as Aya Brea, an NYPD officer back in good ol' 1997. Aya is reluctantly on a date at the opera house, when all of a sudden, everyone in the audience begins to spontaneously combust. Only Aya and the lead actress onstage are left unharmed, and as you question her, she reveals herself to be known as Eve. Eve tells you that your mitochondria are evolving, as are hers, causing each of you to undergo evolutionary changes. You then embark on a strange and difficult quest for answers, following the minute clues Eve carelessly leaves in her wake as she terrorizes Manhattan.
The gameplay itself is unlike anything that had previously been seen before, and is still quite rare in today's RPGs. While the fight system is still turn-based, you are not glued to your spot on the battlefield, unlike games such as Final Fantasy. You are free to move your character around as you please, giving you the unique ability to dodge attacks and position yourself to attack a location on the enemy that will cause the most damage. As you progress through the story and earn experience, your parasite powers evolve as well, giving you new abilities ranging from defensive and healing spells to full out mitochondrial liberation. You are also able to customize your weapons and armor, which can be carried over to a new save once you've beaten the game.
All of the enemies are mitochondrial mutations of common animals, insects, and bacteria, and even extinct species. This makes for a varied combat experience that rarely gets old. The combat locations vary as much as the creatures as well. You'll go all over Manhattan, from the sewers under Chinatown to the Museum of Natural History, and the Subway. There is even a fight in a runaway horse-drawn carriage! This game is worth checking out, even if you're into the more graphically enhanced games. It's got a solid story, great gameplay, and replay value to boot!
The gameplay itself is unlike anything that had previously been seen before, and is still quite rare in today's RPGs. While the fight system is still turn-based, you are not glued to your spot on the battlefield, unlike games such as Final Fantasy. You are free to move your character around as you please, giving you the unique ability to dodge attacks and position yourself to attack a location on the enemy that will cause the most damage. As you progress through the story and earn experience, your parasite powers evolve as well, giving you new abilities ranging from defensive and healing spells to full out mitochondrial liberation. You are also able to customize your weapons and armor, which can be carried over to a new save once you've beaten the game.
All of the enemies are mitochondrial mutations of common animals, insects, and bacteria, and even extinct species. This makes for a varied combat experience that rarely gets old. The combat locations vary as much as the creatures as well. You'll go all over Manhattan, from the sewers under Chinatown to the Museum of Natural History, and the Subway. There is even a fight in a runaway horse-drawn carriage! This game is worth checking out, even if you're into the more graphically enhanced games. It's got a solid story, great gameplay, and replay value to boot!