The Last Remnant Remastered (PlayStation 4) Review

What constitutes a classic? In most cases, the word 'classic' is just a friendlier way to call something old, but such a description should carry much more weight. After all, when discussing videogames, the best titles are often referred to as classics. With that in mind, let's consider the fate of The Last Remnant. Here's an RPG by Square Enix that features everything fans of the genre could possibly imagine. One can expect to spend over a hundred hours in discovering the secrets of its world, as well as surviving its myriad of challenges. The is also, as of this writing, over a decade old. Can it hold claim to the mantle of classic, or is it merely an old relic that's best left forgotten?

If the idea of stewing in suspense doesn't sound all that appealing, then let it be known now: this deserves any and all accolades that come its way. It is a classic that, for the most part, has aged like fine wine. Future generations are sure to appreciate what the developer has accomplished. A lot of risks were taken to create an adventure that is unlike anything else out there. Granted, using the line "for the most part" implies that there are aspects that haven't aged quite as well. This bridge will be crossed in short order, so be sure to stick it out through the full review.

For some, the worth of an RPG is largely dependent on its storyline. Anyone who shares this belief is probably going to be in for a bad time here. Much of this game's storytelling strengths are spent on world building and character development. The plot is unfortunately not much to write home about. It's mostly a race where the villains are always one step ahead of the heroes. Much of that 100+ hour run time involves fighting and questing, as there's surprisingly little story. Moreover, the dialogue is sometimes clumsily handled, with awkward pauses between lines. Still, there is merit in watching the cut-scenes. Despite the dated graphics and effects, a handful of them are superb.

The exploration and quest design is reminiscent of the SaGa series. Essentially, you are encouraged to visit taverns found in each city, because there tends to be someone who has a job for their heroes. Upon taking a quest, Rush and his allies are immediately transported to a dungeon - hopefully, they can complete the task given to them. Whatever the case, the dungeon is then unlocked for future visits. Be sure to explore alternate routes whenever they become available, as they might just allow one to see more of the world. Oh, and pay attention to rumours, especially if they're shared by the bartender. As is commonly the case in RPGs, rumours are always true.

When exploring foul caverns and abandoned ruins, the chances of engaging in hostilities is quite high. Fiends wander the halls, and will sometimes target passing adventurers. By pressing R2 Rush will unleash a wave while exclaiming "Let's Go!" Any foes caught in this wave will be swept into battle. Later on, the hero will be also able to manipulate time, allowing him to challenge several enemies at once. "Battle chaining" takes some practice, as it will involve manipulating creatures so that they'll crowd together. It's not uncommon to have several monsters chasing the hero throughout the dungeon, just to ensure the perfect setup. One must also take into account the strength of their party, or else they'll be overwhelmed in the ensuing battle.

Now why would anyone go through so much trouble, just to start a fight? First off, the spoils of battle are determined by the size of the enemy army. Defeating lots of fiends will result in large quantities of materials, which are used to craft or upgrade equipment. Captured monsters can also be acquired, and they can be sold off for a tidy sum. Secondly, tougher battles lead to more frequent stat gains for the entire party. As with the SaGa franchise, there aren't any level-ups. HP is also conveniently replenished in between battles.

The third and most important benefit of battle chaining is that it helps to keep the Battle Rank in check. This mechanic has been the subject of controversy among The Last Remnant players. As the Battle Rank increases, so does the strength of the enemy. Early on the effect is nominal, but it adds up after a while. In most cases, it takes four or five battles to increase the rank by one, so that's reason enough to focus on making the most of every encounter. Ideally, when the R2 button is pressed, Rush should have at least five enemies caught in his wave, and they should always be slightly stronger than his party. Thankfully, inefficient play won't result in an unwinnable game. Properly managing Battle Rank makes things easier, but mismanagement won't make things impossible.

Considering the complexities of the encounter system, one would assume that the battles themselves are even more complex, and they'd be right. Rather than a traditional party setup of three to five members, this features Union Boards. The average Union Board can have up to five characters, but it's more efficient to stick with three or four. These members can then be arranged in one of many formations, with more becoming available by completing quests or discovering forgotten treasures. The formation dictates stat bonuses as well as the usage of certain tactics, such as having two characters attack while the other two defend. The placement can also make a difference during certain AOE attacks. Having everyone clustered together probably isn't a good idea, as a dragon's fiery breath could fry them all at once.

When the battle begins, the player must make two decisions. First they must decide upon their target, and then they must decide on the Union's orders. Unlike most RPGs, where party members are commanded to use a specific skill or spell, the Unions are ordered to utilize their talents in a manner that's beneficial to the current situation. This is all dependent on what abilities they have access to. If somebody knows a poison gas spell, the Union can be ordered to "Slam the enemy with status ailments!" Alternatively, if everyone is adept at weapon arts, then they might be ordered to go all out. Pressing the square button will show what skills are being used in an order, so one is never left in the dark.

When two opposing forces cross paths, this creates a deadlock. Both parties will hack away at each other for the remainder of the turn, and every turn thereafter, until one side falls. If the situation becomes desperate, the player can order their Union to break out of the deadlock, but this makes them susceptible to raidlocks. If an enemy party manages to catch up with them, then their demise is guaranteed. While engaged in a deadlock, Unions can be ordered to flank the enemy, which grants them the advantage. However, the enemy is just as likely to do the same. When a legendary monster or boss is challenged by multiple Unions, this usually results in a multi-deadlock. Depending on the situation, it's probably not a good idea to pursue multi-deadlocks, as it allows the targeted enemy extra turns.

While monitoring everyone's HP is certainly important, one must also be aware of the morale gauge. Morale determines the Union's ability to give and take damage. Many circumstances can lead to the tides of battle shifting, such as intercepting an enemy party, losing allies, or special skills like the morale-stealing 'Bluff'. Slight shifts in the gauge aren't particularly worrisome, but if it ever gets deep in the red, then the chances of defeat become quite high.

Yes, it's all a lot to absorb, but fret not, because this is structured to be incredibly rewarding for the perseverant. In the heat of battle, there will be times where the heroes will receive a spark of inspiration and learn new techniques. With enough usage, these skills will level up and become more effective, while also draining less AP. That means more party members can commit to their most powerful attacks on every turn. There are also incredibly strong special moves. The conditions to perform them are dependent on several factors, including morale and everyone's status, but they can turn the tables in an otherwise hopeless bout. There's also something immensely satisfying about landing the killing blow on a tough monster, even when the absurd 'Havoc' physics causes them to fall over like a drunken marionette.

In this world, there is also a wealth of recruits to discover. While they're capable of learning most abilities, it's their attributes that determine their maximum effectiveness. Time should also be spent customizing their skillset, so that they are operating at the optimal efficiency. However, due to the way stat building works, it's in one's best interest to figure out who they want in their Unions, and then stick with them for the entirety of the adventure. Any members who aren't actively participating in battle are guaranteed to fall behind.

If there's one truly frustrating aspect of this game, it's the fact that it is loaded with "missables." If someone doesn't have a guide by their side at all times, it's very likely that they'll miss out on quests, potential recruits, and trophies. There is a New Game+ mode that softens the blow slightly, but perfectionists are going to be driven to the depths of madness, when potentially dozens of hours of work are all for naught, simply due to some incredibly arbitrary condition. One of the more easily missed quests becomes available after completing a dungeon, but then closes once the heroes reach the very next town. This is the sort of cruelty that dates the game more than anything else.

For first-timers and veterans alike, The Last Remnant Remastered is a very nice port. The visuals are quite decent, with some much-needed lighting effects and a mostly solid frame-rate. The water also looks like actual water, as opposed to that horrific Windows Media Player visualization from the PC and Xbox 360 versions. When exploring towns and dungeons, the player can hold L1 to increase Rush's running speed. This helps to make vast expanses of nothing like The Great Sandsea a little more tolerable. The only complaint is that battle-chaining is a bit more troublesome than before. Enemies are more likely to drop their pursuit, making it harder to chain a large number of them.