It's Good... But Don't Expect Great
Foreword: I've already wrote a review of this game. But it didn't show up in the site even after I posted it. This is the second attempt to write a review for this game. Hopefully this one goes through.
Untold Legends: The Warriors Code is a sequel but not a sequel. Sony essentially removed everything from the first game except for its core gameplay mechanics. The result is a game set in a different universe and slightly expanded combat mechanics. Is this new facelift a success? Well, as a sequel, the game fills some gameplay holes from the last game, but does little else to stand among the RPG crowd.The story is pretty basic. You're an exile changeling who is attempting to rally with the royal family to usurp the Prince's half brother, an all-powerful changeling. Admittedly the story does take you to distant locations like the desert and a different dimension, but still the narrative is a bit flat on personality. There are some character moments that are pretty well implemented (I personally suggest listening to the monologues of one Nani Dae), setting the context of the pain and suffering felt by civilians from the half-brother's takeover, but beyond that there really is nothing to note about the story.
We're talking about a violent coup d'état as the main point of the whole game, so not surprisingly combat is the main focus of the game. The game is simple enough: You have a standard and charged normal attack (tap x or hold down X). When enemies reveal an opening you can unlease 3 different Attacks of Opportunity (tap or hold down square button). If you're feeling low on health or mana, you can pop a health or mana potion that will replenish one or the other (R and L+R). Your character (you pick out of 5 characters) also has special abilities, which can be mapped out with the D-pad, triangle and circle buttons. Finally, you can temporary turn your character into a beast by holding down L and Triangle, resulting in two more abilities and increased attack power. To the game's credit, controls work REALLY well. You won't find yourself disoriented in the combat.
Another good point about the game is that there is a lot of loot to be had. Almost every single enemy will drop either a weapon, piece of armor, charms or money. You can also modify weapons and armors with stones that give extra attributes to the character. Speaking of customization, the elements there are standard. You can change armors, weapons, charms and runes that will help your beast form. You don't combine items to make weapons, you buy them up front, which is a good thing because it's simple. Enemies are a mixed bag. There is a large variety but even that doesn't save the game from monotony. MOST bosses are larger versions of standard enemies, again driving the repetitiveness up a notch.
And that's the largest weakness of the game; combat gets repetitive too quickly. It boils down to a war of attrition; you kill enemies and enemies do damage to you until your health bar is low. That's when you pop a health potion to keep going. It's the same kind of feel when talking about most boss battles. There's no sense of strategy or finesse to the experience; you just mash the X button most of the time, do a couple of Attacks of Opportunity, chuck in a special ability here or there and that's it. The new attacks do nothing to break the potential boredom from the gameplay.
Your ability to enjoy Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code hinges on your tolerance for the repetitive combat (think Dynasty Warriors). If you're OK with that, expect a good solid package for the PSP, but nothing more.
Breakdown:
Story: 3.5/5
There are some good character driven moments, but there's no emotional depth beyond that.
Gameplay: 3.1/5
The combat is functional but too simple. To the game's credit, there's alot of interesting loot. Basic customization options.
Presentation: 3.2/5
Good graphics: I like the anime style applied on characters but everything else doesn't stand out. Music is forgettable.
Bonuses, Alteranatives, Replay Value: 3.2/5
9 hour campaign, which is OK for Action RPGs. Has a multiplayer option that will help.
Overall: 13/20 (around 3.25 stars, round up to 3.5 stars)
A good but repetitive game. You will like the game more if you are into its monotonous combat.
