Star Ocean: The Last Hope International

[MrEco]

So, long story short, I'm considering buying this game and I would like your guys input on some points.

Firstly, how are the characters? I'm talking personality wise. Are they interesting people that the player could come to enjoy the company of?

Secondly, does the combat get really repetitive? And if so, how bad is it? On a related note, since it's a real time combat system, how important is your characters level versus your own skill at the game/your ability to strategies?

Last but not least, do characters not in your party still gain XP from fights (Like Final Fantasy XIII) or do you have to switch out individual characters to level them (Like Persona 4)?

And feel free to mention anything else you guys think I should be warned of that you feel will help make my decision.

[brunoafh]

Firstly, how are the characters? I'm talking personality wise. Are they interesting people that the player could come to enjoy the company of?

If you would enjoy the company of exceedingly irritating alien-like creatures in the shells of 13 year old cel shaded children, then this is probably the game for you.

[MrPopo]

Firstly, how are the characters? I'm talking personality wise. Are they interesting people that the player could come to enjoy the company of?

If you would enjoy the company of exceedingly irritating alien-like creatures in the shells of 13 year old cel shaded children, then this is probably the game for you.

That's less of an issue when you use the JP voices, since they can actually voice a character like that decently effectively.

Characters gain experience outside your part iirc. Your level is important; you don't have a lot of ability to dodge so it's mostly about how you use your skills an what your level is. I never found the combat to be too repetitive; it's about the same as an Tales title.

[brunoafh]

That's less of an issue when you use the JP voices, since they can actually voice a character like that decently effectively.

True, but the characters are still pretty much insufferable. I guess this game wasn't awful, but it's just so medicore in every way that I couldn't push myself to play for more than a few hours.

I would just play one of the Tales games or Eternal Sonata if you want a current gen action RPG like this, MrEco.