Why Rogue Galaxy is the best of a dying genre

The J-RPG genre hasn't been looking so healthy recently. There haven't been many truly memorable turn-based games in recent years

Valkyria Chronicles, Persona 4, Final Fantasy XIII...these are the few titles that stand out in a once mighty genre.

Indeed, many tired JRPGs fail to achieve the winning trifecta - unique storyline, new mechanics and enough familiarity for fans to feel comfortable.

This crucial formula is something that humble developers Level-5 achieved right back in 2005, with space-faring adventure Rogue Galaxy.

If you haven't heard of this innovative title, that's because when it was released in the West (two years after Japan), Rogue Galaxy was overshadowed by RPG titan, Final Fantasy XII.


A real shame, given that Level 5's offering is far more original and inventive, without using flashy gameplay gimmicks to draw the crowd in (license boards and gambit systems? Pah).

Instead, it features a genuinely engaging cast, simple yet fiendishly addictive battle tactics and a lighthearted story that still had enough emotional punch to leave you with 'something in your eye'.

A PIRATE'S LIFE
Bucking the trend, the story isn't all about doom and gloom. The world isn't about to end, and no overly effeminate megalomaniacs are on the rampage.

Instead, this is a story of space pirates on the hunt for treasure. Specifically, it stars happy-go-lucky Jaster, who's mistaken for legendary bounty hunter Desert Claw and accidentally recruited into Pirate Captain Dorgengoa's infamous crew.

Their task? Locating the planet of Eden, and looting an artefact that grants eternal life. We admit: they had us at 'space pirates'.

When it comes to the all-important cast, Rogue Galaxy certainly doesn't stick to the stereotype. Well - okay, ignore Jaster, the blond-haired, blue-eyed youth stepping out on a grand adventure. There's got to be at least one of those.

Instead, cast your eyes on the lovely Lilika; a rock-hard warrior who's been banished from her jungle tribe for killing their god (it's okay - turns out he was an evil maggot-covered spider who ate children).

Then meet Jupis, a skilled alien hacker whose attacks include chewing gum and sipping coffee. Or how about dog-faced Deego; a former soldier in the Longardian military, who's fighting for his human lover. It may be somewhat uncomfortable to observe a cross-species romance, but hey - even this is better than watching FFXII's idiotic Va'an yelling "I'm Captain Basch fon Ronsenburg" over and over.


What really brings this rag-tag band of misfits to life is something that many JRPGs have yet to accomplish: superb English voice-acting.

The flawless delivery of Rogue Galaxy's candid dialogue makes for genuine laughs, and regional accents (such as portly Simon's thick Scottish brogue) mean even the most fleeting of characters manage to make a lasting impression.

STAR WARS
This level of polish can also be found with Rogue Galaxy's battle system. Doing away with turn-based drudgery, battles are fought in real-time, efficiently mixing melee with magic and guns.

Within your party of three, you can switch between whichever character you choose, with main weapons mapped to X and sub weapons tied to square.

Although your AI partners can be a bit clueless at times, they'll call out suggestions on what actions they take, which you confirm by tapping the shoulder buttons.

A simple feature, but one that gives you the right amount of control over your party and makes otherwise tedious battles an addictive pleasure.

So it's a good thing there are plenty of brightly coloured worlds to scrap through. From the lush jungles of Juraika to the shiny Daytron laboratory, there are nooks and crannies to be explored for rare loot and battle bugs which you then get to use in Insectron tournaments (think Pokemon chess - an entire game in it's own right).

Okay, so some of the dungeons do suffer from carbon-copy corridors syndrome; but even this flaw is overcome by Level 5's attention to detail.

Save points that also function as teleporters are frequently dotted around each world, meaning you can zap from one location to the next.

Meanwhile, Rogue Galaxy takes an unusual approach to character progression. Of course, you get the post-victory XP, but real growth requires you to collect items and place them in each character's Revelation Board.


By completing a set, you'll unlock new abilities and stat boosters, and open up hidden paths.

Combined with a sturdy weapon synthesis feature, stat grinders and RPG completionists will love it.

Rogue Galaxy is a credit to what is now a stagnating genre. Unique, compelling and utterly charming, it is an example of how powerful a JRPG can be when the developers have the confidence to break out of a niche.

It's been three years since it hit Western shores, and even now it stands out against the mire of generic turn-based timewasters.

It's true classics like this that can revive an industry in trouble.