Games » Vay Review

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Being able to play a full out RPG on your iPhone is pretty nifty. Even if the game isn't something you've ever heard of or it's a remake/port of a 1994 RPG, Vay is still something that you should check out. The game starts you off with a video intro giving you just enough back story into the game to know why you're going to be taking part in this epic quest. From there it follows along with almost the the typical RPG elements.
The learning curve on moving your character around is something that may take you awhile. It isn't that it's done poorly, it's just that you haven't had a chance to experience a game like this on the iPhone yet.
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To a point, tapping on where you want to go will bring you there, but even if it doesn't, it's not going to kill you.
There are a good deal of video cut scenes within the game. In the first 30 minutes of playing there is at least one more past the intro. The voices all sound like they're done by the same person, but it's still pretty interesting. A lack of subtitles does mean that you can't really play this for the story unless you've got your headphones on or are alone.
The behind your team angle that they show you for the battles and the quality of the graphics for an older style of RPG are very sharp. The fighting system and the menus are easy to navigate, yet not simple enough to bore you. Vay may not be the game for everyone, and it's definitely not something new to the world of gaming, but if you're craving for an iPhone RPG, it's definitely worth the money.
s
Rating
VayVay

Our Rating:
( 3.6 )
User Rating:
( 3.0 )
s
Price: 4.99
Version: v.1.1
 
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6/10/2008

JRPG goodness on iPhone!

User rated 3/5
Review by rickb57

This is something I've been really hoping for: a traditional J-RPG gaming experience on the iPhone. Vay itself, a port of a Sega CD game, is not a particularly special Japanese RPG. The story is basic and it features fairly run-of-the-mill turn-based combat and random battles. That said, having this kind of game on the iPhone is awesome.


A number of liberties have been taken in updating Vay to a modern, mobile audience. The most striking thing is that the standard iPhone menus have been integrated into the game. This was probably a data storage-saving decision. It is a little jarring, considering the game has graphics on par with the earlier Final Fantasy games, but you get used to it. Second is the English translation. The dialogue feels very, very modern, which doesn't really fit the fantasy setting, but it does help add some character.

The touch-screen controls are surprisingly good. You simply tap wherever you want your character to move, and he does. Double-tap to have him sprint in one direction. I wasn't sure if this was going to work, but it seems to well enough. It may be a little inaccurate, depending on the size of your fingers (mine are large, so sometimes I have to tap twice to get my character to enter a door). Combat also uses the touch screen, and uses it far better. Instead of scrolling through menus to choose a command and then a target, you simply tap the command, then the target. This really speeds up the turn-based combat, especially once you get other characters into your party. The only really annoying thing about the controls actually has to do with the construction of the iPhone itself (don't know if this problem exists on the iPod touch, because I don't have one): when you hold it like a Game Boy or PSP, it's difficult to avoid covering the external speaker. Or, if you're using headphones, the plug can also get in the way of you and a certain level of comfort while holding the iPhone.

I was really surprised how much I ended up liking this game. It's easy to pick up and play (you can save anywhere), and it's fun to keep playing for 5 minutes or an hour. Not the world's greatest J-RPG, but until that iPhone port of Final Fantasy VI comes out, this'll do just fine.
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