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|GR = 85%<ref name=GameRankings>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/604160-radiant-historia/index.html|title=Radiant Historia for DS - GameRankings|publisher=[[Game Rankings]]|accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref>
|GR = 85.4%<ref name=GameRankings>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/604160-radiant-historia/index.html|title=Radiant Historia for DS - GameRankings|publisher=[[Game Rankings]]|accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>
|MC = 85 of 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/radiant-historia|title=Radiant Historia|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=2011-02-25}}</ref>
|MC = 85 of 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/radiant-historia|title=Radiant Historia|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=2011-02-25}}</ref>
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Revision as of 18:26, 2 April 2011

Radiant Historia
North American box art
Developer(s)Atlus[1]
Publisher(s)Atlus[1]
Director(s)Mitsuru Hirata[1]
Designer(s)Hiroshi Konishi[1] (Character Designer)
Satoshi Takayashiki[1] (World Designer)
Composer(s)Yoko Shimomura[1]
Platform(s)Nintendo DS
Genre(s)Role-playing game
Mode(s)Single-player

Radiant Historia (ラジアントヒストリア, Rajianto Hisutoria) is a role-playing video game developed and published by Atlus for the Nintendo DS.[1] The game's development team mostly consists of Atlus staff who previously worked on Megami Tensei games like Persona 3, Strange Journey and Nocturne as well as the Etrian Odyssey series.[2] The development team also includes other members who had previously worked on Radiata Stories. Yoko Shimomura of Kingdom Hearts fame composed the soundtrack.[1] The game was released on November 3, 2010 in Japan, and in North America on February 22, 2011[3]

Gameplay

Time travel

The game gives a unique take on the concept of non-linear branching storylines, which it combines with the concepts of time travel and parallel universes, similar to the Chrono series.[4] Radiant Historia takes it much further by giving players the freedom to travel backwards and forwards through a timeline to alter the course of history, with each of their choices and actions having a major impact on the timeline. The player can return to certain points in history and live through certain events again to make different choices and see different possible outcomes on the timeline.[4][5]

The player will be using the ability to travel through time and space throughout the game. The player will be changing the past in order to create a “true” future, and the game has the player travel through time and space as the player switches between parallel worlds.[6] The game has many possible parallel endings.[7]

Combat

The enemies are visible on the fields before an engagement and the player may choose to fight or avoid them in open combat. A battle begins when the party comes into contact with the enemies, or if a story event initiates a confrontation.[1]

The battle system makes use of a positioning system called the "Grid System." Enemies are placed on a 3 x 3 grid, with each enemy standing in a single slot, except for some large enemies spanning multiple slots. If the player attacks an enemy who's in a grid space near the attacking character, the enemy will incur greater damage. However, the player will also be open to greater damage.[1]

Some attacks can move enemies around the grid, stacking them on the same slot until an enemy's turn comes and consecutive attacks on this group of enemies hit all of them. Despite being a turn-based combat system each member of the party can switch turns with the others and even with enemies, giving more freedom to the player to perform combos and deal further prejudice to enemies, but having its risks too, as a party member who switches turns become more vulnerable until becoming able to move again.

Plot

Story

In the world of Vainqueur, a land of man and beasts, the holy nation of the East, Alistel is in a state of war with Granorg, a massive country to the West that is ruled harshly by Queen Protea. Alistel's land is slowly turning to desert while a strange disease is turning its people into sand, known as the "Sand Plague" The ruler of Alistel, Noah, insists that this worldwide disease is the result of Protea's evil government. The people of Alistel thus believe they are fighting a holy war against Granorg.[1]

One day, Stocke, an agent with the intelligence agency of Alistel and his subordinates are sent into Granorg territory to rescue a secret agent who was captured by the government of Granorg. After saving the agent, the group find themselves surrounded by the Granorg army, and Stocke is severely wounded. He awakens in Historia, a world where time and space are warped. There, two mysterious children give him the ability to travel through time and space. He is told that the world needs his power.[1]

Characters

Main Characters

  • Stocke (ストック, Sutokku) is a 19-year-old agent who is the pride of the intelligence agency of the nation of Alistel and the main protagonist of the game. Because of his outstanding talents, he is often entrusted with the most dangerous missions. Though he appears to be unsociable and usually quiet, Stocke is actually very passionate and caring for his subordinates, he would avoid endangering them more than anything else.[8] During his mission to rescue a fellow agent who was captured by the Granorg's government, Stocke's team was surrounded by Granorg's army and he was severely wounded. He later awoke in Historia and was given, by a group of mysterious children, the ability to travel through time and space.[1]
  • Raynie (レイニー, Reinī) is a 17-year-old female agent with the intelligence agency of the nation of Alistel and Stocke's subordinate. Originally a member of a mercenary group, Raynie was recruited by Heiss after her group was destroyed. She felt indebted to Heiss, and upon his request, she became Stocke's subordinate. Raynie is a straightforward person with a strong sense of justice and can be quite frank at times, she excels in the art of spear-fighting and offensive magic.[8]
  • Marco (マルコ, Maruko) is a 17-year-old male agent with the intelligence agency of the nation of Alistel and Stocke's subordinate. Known Raynie since their days as mercenaries, the two made a rough combination. They were picked up, and put into the intelligence agency by Heiss after their mercenary group was destroyed. Marco is very realistic and careful at whatever he does, traits that make him a good partner. He is also skilled with sword-fighting, and excels at defensive magic.[8]
  • Rosch (ロッシュ, Rosshu) is a 21-year-old military officer and the captain of Alistel's recruit corp. He is Stocke's best friend since the two used to fight side by side before Stocke joined the intelligence agency. Rosch always cares about Stocke and offers him advice. Rosch was severely injured in the past and has to replace on of his arm with a mechanical arm called "Gauntlet" that makes use of "Thaumatech" and moves according to his thoughts. Rosch is openhearted and, though stubborn, he is very forgiving. Like Raynie, his weapon of choice is a spear.[8]
  • Eruca (エルーカ, Erūka) is the princess of Granorg and is the first heir to the throne, she is the late King Victor's (ヴィクトール, Vikutōru) daughter with his first wife. Eruca is regarded highly by the people of Granorg as opposed to her stepmother, Queen Protea. Eruca is saddened by her stepmother's tyranny. Her distinguishing trait is her beautiful blond curls. Her weapon of choice is a pistol and she is an expert in holy magic.[8]
  • Aht (アト, Ato) is a 9-year-old Satyros. She traveled through many places as a member of a group of entertainers led by Vanoss. Although Aht is not fully aware of it herself, she is a "shaman" of the Satyros. A shaman's special powers are used to guide the souls of the dead. Aht is sometimes selfish like most children her age, and as she is very fond of Stocke, she tends to refuse to leave his side. Her weapon of choice is a dagger and she is capable of laying magical traps and performing advanced healing magic.[8]
  • Gafka (ガフカ, Gafuka) is a powerful Gutral warrior from Forgia village. Since being exiled from his tribe, Gafka lived in Celestia before joining Stocke's party. He fights with his fists, utilising the power of Chi.

Alistel

  • Heiss (ハイス, Haisu) is the head of the intelligence agency of the nation of Alistel. A highly intelligent man who handles everything in a calm and collective manner, Heiss is very cautious and calculating, he also appears to be cruel at times. Because it is newly created, Heiss' intelligence agency is not formally recognized by the Alistel's government but instead regarded merely as a facility. However the agency has supplied the government with much critically useful information. He was the one who gave Stocke the White Chronicle.[8]
  • Sonja (ソニア, Sonia) is a doctor of the nation of Alistel, who is the central figure in medical sector. Sonja has been studying "Mana" for a long time and she's also very knowledgeable about Thaumatechnology. Sonja is friends with Stocke and Rosch. Even though she did not have to, Sonia has always been on the front line with Stocke and Roche, secretly looked after the two as they went on dangerous missions. Sonja has a mature and strong personality.[8]
  • Kiel (キール, Kīru) is a non-commissioned officer of Rosch's recruit corp. Rosch often tells Kiel how much he respected Stocke as great fencer, which eventually leads Kiel to respect Stocke also. Kiel is very honest and has a positive nature, but often gets ahead of himself. Although good at ceremonial sword dancing, Kiel himself is not combat oriented.[8]
  • Hugo (ヒューゴ, Hyugo) is Alistel's commander in chief, he is known for passing the words of Alistel's supreme leader, Prophet Noah to the people, since he stopped appearing in public years before. A man known for being very aggressive in politics, always scheming against those who can pose as a threat to his position.
  • Raul (ラウル, Rauru) is a Lt. General in Alistel's army and Rosch's superior. A man known as a brilliant strategist, but likes to keep a low profile due to Hugo's political schemes.
  • Viola (ビオラ, Viora) is Field Marshal of Alistel's army, known as "The Valkyrie". Seen as a heroine by the people, she was relocated by Hugo to the border outpost of Sand Fortress in order to keep her out of the capital in fear of her popularity.
  • Fennel (フェンネル, Fenneru) is Alistel's lead Thaumatech developer, and the brains behind the country's technological superiority.

Granorg

  • Protea (プロテア, Purotea) is the queen of the massive nation of Granorg who is known for her selfishness and tyranny throughout the land. She was originally a commoner until the late King Victor married her. After King Victor's assassination, Protea succeeded the throne to become queen.[8] She is accused by Alistel's General Hugo to be what the Prophet Noah sees as the cause of the world's desertification and the mysterious "Sand Plague."[1] She is Princess Eruca's stepmother.[8]
  • Selvan (セルバン, Seruban) is the leader of the Granorg Assembly, and essentially Prime Minister of Granorg. While ostensibly working for the Queen, he is in actuality the de facto ruler of the country.
  • Dias (ディアス, Diasu) is the Court Knight of Granorg, and General of its armies, and Selvan's close friend. He is a brilliant battlefield commander, and a devious opponent.

Historia

  • Teo (ティオ, Tio) & Lippti (リプティ, Riputi) are the mysterious twins that Stocke encounters in Historia. They give him the ability to travel through time and space and tell him that the world is in need of his power. Although they appear to be young, Teo and Lippti's wisdom suggests otherwise.[8]

Development

A Japanese trademark for the game's name was known to have existed as far back as March 2010.[9] At that point, nothing was known about the game except a name. It was not until July 2010 that an issue of Famitsu revealed the game as role-playing game for the Nintendo DS that regarded time-travel.[10] It was later revealed to involve many staff members who have worked on the Shin Megami Tensei series, and members of tri-Ace, makers of the very similarly named Radiata Stories.

Music

The music of Radiant Historia is composed by Yoko Shimomura,[1] who is best known for her works for Super Mario RPG, Legend of Mana and the Kingdom Hearts series. The ending theme '-HISTORIA-' is sung by Haruka Shimotsuki. There is also a disc that includes the music track.

Reception

Radiant Historia has received mainly positive critical reception. 1UP's Jeremy Parish gave the game a B+ score, describing it is "easily the most original of this month's slate of RPGs" and an "engaging role-playing game that deserves a chance", while praising the game's protagonist Stocke, saying "while he does indeed come off as a stock character at first impression...he quickly develops into something much more interesting."[12] Shiva Stella of GameSpot praised the game's time travel aspect, calling it "exciting" and "inventive"; she then concludes that Radiant Historia is "an innovative adventure that is sure to stand the test of time."[14]

IGN has given the game 8.5 of 10, praising the game's graphics, time travel aspect, innovative gameplay, involving story, and music which they called "beautiful".[11] Neal Chandran of RPGFan gave the game a score of 91%, describing it as "one of the best Japanese RPGs I've played in years."[17] Jason Schreier of Wired gave the game a score of 9 stars out of 10, concluding that "Atlus has created the perfect blend of innovation and tradition."[18] Matt Peckham of PC World praised the game's nonlinear multidimensional concept which allows the game to be played differently by travelling to a decision point and choosing another path, in contrast to "BioWare-style head pats, where whatever you choose, the game plays out more or less as it would have anyway."[21]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Anoop Gantayat (July 28, 2010). "Atlus Unveils Radiant Historia". andriasang. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  2. ^ Anoop Gantayat (August 9, 2010). "New Radiant Historia Staff Announced". andriasang. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  3. ^ Aram Jabbari (November 22, 2010). "Radiant Historia Comes to America". Atlus. Retrieved November 22, 2010.
  4. ^ a b Radiant Historia Gives Off a Distinct Chrono Trigger Vibe, 1UP
  5. ^ To those of you that asked about Radiant Historia, Destructoid
  6. ^ Radiant Historia's Full Official Site Opens, Andriasang
  7. ^ Radiant Historia Has "Many" Endings, Siliconera
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "キャラクター". ラジアントヒストリア 攻略 Wiki. August 23, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  9. ^ Spencer (March 16, 2010). "Hey Atlus, What's Radiant Historia?". siliconera. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  10. ^ Spencer (July 27, 2010). "Radiant Historia Finally Revealed". siliconera. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  11. ^ a b Drake, Audrey (2011-02-17). "Radiant Historia Review - Nintendo DS Review at IGN". IGN. p. 1. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
  12. ^ a b Parish, Jeremy (2011-02-22). "Radiant Historia Review for DS, Game from 1UP.com". 1UP.com. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
  13. ^ Tom Goldman (22 November 2010). "Radiant Historia Hopes to Be Atlus's Chrono Trigger". The Escapist. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
  14. ^ a b Shiva, Stella (2011-02-22). "Radiant Historia Review for DS - GameSpot". Gamespot. p. 1. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
  15. ^ Mastrapa, Gus (2011-02-01). "Radiant Historia Review for DS - G4tv". G4. p. 1. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
  16. ^ Juba, Joe (2011-02-22). "Radiant Historia Review: Atlus Travels Back To A Golden Age". Game Informer. p. 1. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
  17. ^ a b "Radiant Historia". RPGFan. 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
  18. ^ a b Jason Schreier (February 23, 2011). "Review: Innovative Radiant Historia Recalls Salad Days of RPGs". Wired. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
  19. ^ "Radiant Historia for DS - GameRankings". Game Rankings. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
  20. ^ "Radiant Historia". Metacritic. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
  21. ^ Matt Peckham (February 24, 2011). "Radiant Historia: Dipping a Toe in the Timestream". PC World. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
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