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| From: Square Enix
Category: Video Games
List Price: £29.99
Buy New: £12.52
You Save: £17.47 (58%)
New (14) Used (8) from £7.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 1262
Platform: Playstation2
Rating: To Be Announced
Media: Video Game
Operating System: Playstation 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5060121821835
ASIN: B000TQRO0O
Release Date: September 7, 2007
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 Silmeria Vs Lenneth - Lenneth Wins by KO! April 28, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
I'll split this review into 3 brief parts to appeal to the 3 very different markets for an RPG game. If you are a die-hard RPG fan who's played Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth, the Digital Devil Saga Series, every Final Fantasy and just about anything else promising a hit of RPG goodness, read section 1, if you've played Final Fantasy 7 - 10 and thought 9 was rubbish, read section 2, if you've never played an RPG game before read section 3!
1. Personally when i hear a sequel to a game is moving from a turn based fixed point battle system (Lenneth, FFVII) to a free roaming active battle system (FFXII) i begin to worry. Whilst i understand the attraction of a free-flowing battle experience, which should add realism to the genre, it's notoriously difficult to get this right and retain the charm of an RPG. Silmeria falls down massively on this. As other reviewers have pointed out it's more a matter of button mashing, i'm not even convinced the battle technology works as it's supposed to. The beauty of Lenneth was that you could chain combos of attacks easily, but had to master a balance between damage, number of hits for special attacks etc. In Silmeria it's a far more random and unpredictable affair. The graphics are lush indeed for PS2, who cares about side-scrolling pseudo 3d when it looks this good? Overall it's a slightly more tasteless affair than its predecessor, the storyline isn't engaging, but i didn't think Lenneth was either! 3/5
2. You will probably hate this game. It is not anything like Final Fantasy VII, it's not even much like Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth! If you're searching for another Final Fantasy on PS2 i suggest you play 9 again and stick with it this time! No seriously though, avoid if you're thinking the Square Enix logo has anything to do with it. Rewards are few and far between in this game compared to a Final Fantasy, when you do get them they're not particularly game changing either. 2/5
3. Make no mistake, if you're looking for an entry into the world of RPG you wouldn't go far wrong with this game. Immerse yourself in beautiful worlds, get quickly into real-time battles that are reminiscent of a hack and slash adventure title, and upgrade weapons and armour in shops as you'd expect. The pace of the game is certainly faster than a Final Fantasy title, i introduced my girlfriend to Final Fantasy VII recently and she was bored in an hour... despite loving the game i could see why... if you like your quick hits of gaming pleasure, but want to better yourself slightly and try something with a bit more challenge for the old grey matter, then Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria is the title for you. 4/5
 Lezard Valeth March 23, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Lezard makes this game. That is the best voice-acting I remember hearing in a game ever. I love his voice. And it just gets better near the end. Most of the other voices are decent to good as well.
The story and dialogue are nice, using elements from Norse mythology.
There are many interesting cutscenes, but unfortunately the characters' movements and expressions in them look unnatural.
In fact, compared to the lovely looking environments, the character models are rather horrible. And it's a bit silly how they made Rufus look like captain Jack Sparrow and Lezard like evil Harry Potter.
Some people might complain about the 2D-scrolling, but it doesn't bother me. In dungeons enemies appear on screen (no random battles) and the ability to turn them into crystals to use as platforms is interesting. It's a nice change of pace trying to figure how to reach treasure chests using those platforms and the teleportative ability.
The battle system is a refreshing deviation from the standard. I much rather have the option of walking around the field and mash buttons, watching different kinds of attacks, until my hands/wrists literally hurt, than have my characters stand in a stupid row and repeatedly choose the attack command watching the characters perform that boring same slash through the game. That's been done since NES.
I don't know if I'd give this game 5 stars unless I laughed at Lezard all the time. But it's a really good game and quite original. And it doesn't fizzle in the end like so many other RPGs (it actually gets better I think).
 About as much fun as watching paint dry March 3, 2008
4 out of 8 found this review helpful
I cannot believe how people are reviewing this boring game!
I'm sorry, but walking from side to side is not good gameplay in my terms, neither is the strange battle system. The game has far too much talking, and thanks to the crab motion of walking you don't REALLY see environment design as well as in other free walking games.
I was given this game as a present for christmas, and all I can say is that I am very glad I did not part with my own cash to own this game. Being a Final Fantasy fan and hearing nothing but good reviews, I figured that Square Enix had worked their magic once more. I am sorely dissapointed
What saves this game for me from being a 1*?
The detail of what you do see going on around you, it is noticeable and combined with the musical score it can transport you, but unfortunately the lack of exploration and the repeation of the puzzle solving/battles plainly SUCKS.
Conclusion?
Save your money and go read a book.
Fun and Unusual January 19, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This game is novel, fascinating, and takes some getting used to. The first few sit-downs I had with this game frustrated me. It was hard to grasp when I've spent so many years playing your bog standard RPGs and FF series. But don't be put off! Stick at it and you'll soon find yourself compelled to play. When the game-play clicked, I loved it!
I don't know why some "reviews" complain of lacking plot. You have it coming out the wazoo. This game combines a unique RPG format with a beat-em-up style and strategic battle plan. Intriguing story line and endless replay-ability with up to 40 extra chars (though you only get given 20 at random during the game. So the second time around you can end up with utterly different characters).
And as for graphics, they're gorgeous. You won't be disappointed by the flashy wonderfully rendered gameplay. I haven't played such a refreshing RPG in ages.
An RPG with a difference.. November 3, 2007
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
`Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria' is a game that attempts to be something a bit different from most other role playing games on the market. From the sideways camera perspectives to the `positional sensitive' battle systems this is a bit out of the ordinary from Square Enix.
However I've always believed RPGs have to incorporate character development and good storyline to really create an immersive environment for the gamer, unfortunately I found both a little lacking here. The odd-collection of loners who come together for the greater purpose may be standard-fare for Square Enix followers but I just found it all a little disappointing.
I'll have to concede that this one just wasn't for me and I'll continue my search for an RPG that can match up to Final Fantasy VII.
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