Septerra Core Review (no fat)

Game Description

Septerra Core is quite a unique game. It’s a console style RPG for the PC and quite similar in look, and gameplay, to Squaresoft’s best selling Final Fantasy series. The richness of the storyline is already suggested by the complex setting you start in. As the name hints, the game world is composed of seven shells or continents orbiting a central core at different heights. The upper continents are populated by the Chosen who throw all their junk to the lower worlds and don’t care about them. On the lower shells junkers make a living by scavenging trash coming from the Chosen.

There is a myth about a hero called Marduk who hid the Gift of Heaven in the core a long time ago and only someone of Marduk’s blood can unlock this power. The core can be unlocked only once every 100 years when the shells align and light penetrates into it. A Chosen of Marduk’s lineage, Doskias finds out about this and he decides to claim this power for himself at all costs, ravaging everything and everyone that crosses his path.

Here is when you come into play. You are Maya, a junker from shell two who sets out to stop Doskias’ plans. If the Chosen come down to the lower shells they only bring death and destruction that’s why Doskias has to be stopped.

Septerra Core Gameplay

You cannot select your characters attributes or skills when you start the game, they are predefined. Although you start out only with Maya at the beginning you can have up to 2 companions with you. There are numerous characters that will join you during your adventures. Some of them don’t get along too well but there are bonus side-quests to get these companions together.

In fact the best part of Septerra Core is its complex and interesting storyline and strong characters. There is also a great deal of excellent voice acting in the game that gives a new dimension to the characters you’ll encounter.

On the other hand if you don’t like linear gameplay then this game is not for you. Septerra Core, similar to Final Fantasy is very linear. You will have to follow the only path available to progress in your quest. This is the point where console RPGs differ from most PC RPGs.

Septerra Core Combat System

The combat system is turn based. Each character has a time bar that fills up at various speeds and this bar has 3 power levels. Each character has 3 types of attacks at first but once they advance in level they get more special attacks. Some attacks require only level 1 power while the more powerful ones require level 2 or 3. So you basically have to wait longer to perform more powerful attacks, and with more tactical possibilities, in combat.

Even though the combat is quite good it gets repetitive after a while. And mainly because your forced to fight all enemies when you get through an area. You don’t have an option of avoiding them. They also respawn if you exit the area then return.

There is also a magic system based on fate cards. These fate cards can be used to call out different magic effects that damage your enemies or heal/aid your companions. The power of the magic depends on the current power level of the casting character (on the time bar). More advanced spells need 2 fate cards to cast.

Septerra Core Graphics

The graphics of the game aren’t impressive. You have only 640x480 resolution available and that really limits the quality of the graphics. The game’s 2D engine is generally well done though, it runs perfectly on very old systems as well. And the artworks found in this game are truly masterpieces, especially the character portraits. All in all it doesn’t look bad at all but it could have been much better.

Septerra Core – Summary

Septerra Core is probably the best console style RPG available for the PC. Thought not excellent,it is a good game but has some major flaws, depending on the player’s preferences. If you like Final Fantasy then you will enjoy Septerra Core as well, or if you want to try a console style RPG then this is the game for you.

Septerra Core – Cost

At the time of this review, the game retails for $9.99US.