Crimson Gem Saga
Encyclopedia
Crimson Gem Saga is a role-playing video game
developed for the PlayStation Portable
and iOS
. In South Korea
it was developed by IRONNOS and published by SK Telecom
as Astonishia Story 2. It was released in North America on May 26th, 2009 by Atlus
under the title Crimson Gem Saga, and was released in Japan under the title Garnet Chronicle.
The game is set in the world of Latein, where, unbeknownst to the public, an artifact formerly known as the Crimson Gem is being sought. One of the parties caught up in the whirlwind is Killian von Rohcoff, a recent graduate of the Green Hill Chevalier Academy, the game's protagonist. The game is a sequel in story to Astonishia Story
, but since much of the game's mechanics were changed, the title in all regions was also changed.
The game also features a weapon and skill customization system, as well as combination attacks that include anywhere from 2 to 4 party members.
Herbert von Guterrian: Herbert is Killian's rival, and they've been enemies since the day they first met at Green Hill Academy. He constantly annoys Killian with his arrogance, his unique laugh, and the way that he always beats Killian at everything.
Spinel: Spinel is an elf, and a self-described "treasure hunter extraordinaire". She meets up with Killian at the beginning of the game and only further complicates his life.
Jeffrey: Jeffrey also meets up with Killian at the beginning of the game, and is probably the only character who has even worse luck than Killian. He first runs into Killian while in the middle of a dispute with Spinel.
Henson: Henson's a mysterious, wise-cracking mage who is both quick with a burning insult and a burning fireball. Not much is known about his past.
Gelts: Gelts is a former priest who has renounced his old ways. Now his hobbies include boozing and womanizing. He wields a giant hammer in battle.
Lahduk: Lahduk is even more mysterious than Henson, and likely even more powerful.
Acelora: Acelora is one of the Radiant Crusaders that serve the Order of Light. She's quickly rising through the ranks, and thinks of nothing other than aiding the Order.
. It was featured on the App Store's "New and Noteworthy" category for Role Playing iOS Games specifically and for all iOS Games, "Top Grossing Role Playing Game" and "What's Hot" categories.
Role-playing video game
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
developed for the PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
and iOS
IOS
iOS is an operating system for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Apple TV.IOS may also refer to:-Companies and organisations:* Illinois Ornithological Society, American state-based bird club...
. In South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
it was developed by IRONNOS and published by SK Telecom
SK Telecom
SK Telecom Co., Ltd. or Sunkyoung Telecom is a South Korean wireless telecommunications operator, controlled by the SK Group, one of the country's largest chaebol. As a part of SK Group, SK stands for Sun Kyung.SK Telecom is a provider of mobile service in Korea, with 50.5% of the market share as...
as Astonishia Story 2. It was released in North America on May 26th, 2009 by Atlus
Atlus
is a Japanese computer and video game developer, publisher, and distributor based in Tokyo, Japan, best known for developing the console role-playing game franchise Megami Tensei. The first Megami Tensei was a Nintendo Entertainment System video game published by Namco based on a trilogy of...
under the title Crimson Gem Saga, and was released in Japan under the title Garnet Chronicle.
The game is set in the world of Latein, where, unbeknownst to the public, an artifact formerly known as the Crimson Gem is being sought. One of the parties caught up in the whirlwind is Killian von Rohcoff, a recent graduate of the Green Hill Chevalier Academy, the game's protagonist. The game is a sequel in story to Astonishia Story
Astonishia Story
Astonishia Story is a series of 2D RPGs created by the Korean video game developer Sonnori. The first game in the series was released as Astonishia Story for Microsoft Windows in South Korea in 1994. A sequel, also for Windows, was released in July 1994 in South Korea under the title Astonishia...
, but since much of the game's mechanics were changed, the title in all regions was also changed.
Gameplay
Combat in Crimson Gem Saga is similar to many turn-based RPGs. The most noticeable quirk is the ambush system. If contact between the player's icon and a generic monster icon occur on a field map, a battle will occur. If the player touches the monster icon while the monster is facing away from the player, the player will gain an immediate preliminary attack with the combined force of all party members. If the monster has a "!" symbol appear above their head, and contacts the player after that symbol disappears, the enemy may begin battle with a preemptive attack on the player with the combined force of all the enemy party members.The game also features a weapon and skill customization system, as well as combination attacks that include anywhere from 2 to 4 party members.
Story
The story of the game revolves around the protagonist Killian von Rohcoff, who seems to always be on the wrong end of fate. He somehow gets caught up with the search for a powerful ancient artifact.Characters
Killian von Rohcoff: Killian is the protagonist of this game. When the game begins we find him attempting to shake off the effects of last night'partying in order to make it in time to attend his own graduation.Herbert von Guterrian: Herbert is Killian's rival, and they've been enemies since the day they first met at Green Hill Academy. He constantly annoys Killian with his arrogance, his unique laugh, and the way that he always beats Killian at everything.
Spinel: Spinel is an elf, and a self-described "treasure hunter extraordinaire". She meets up with Killian at the beginning of the game and only further complicates his life.
Jeffrey: Jeffrey also meets up with Killian at the beginning of the game, and is probably the only character who has even worse luck than Killian. He first runs into Killian while in the middle of a dispute with Spinel.
Henson: Henson's a mysterious, wise-cracking mage who is both quick with a burning insult and a burning fireball. Not much is known about his past.
Gelts: Gelts is a former priest who has renounced his old ways. Now his hobbies include boozing and womanizing. He wields a giant hammer in battle.
Lahduk: Lahduk is even more mysterious than Henson, and likely even more powerful.
Acelora: Acelora is one of the Radiant Crusaders that serve the Order of Light. She's quickly rising through the ranks, and thinks of nothing other than aiding the Order.
Reception
Most of the early reviews of the NA version of the game have been met with praise, with most reviewers noting that the game doesn't do anything particularly innovative or new, but it follows the formula so well that they can forgive that. Many of the early reviews have also favorably commented on both the quality of the writing, and the quality of the voice acting. GameSpot has been the most critical so far, with their reviewer noting that they felt the game was simple and uninspired.iOS release
On August 3, 2010 Crimson Gem Saga was released on Apple's App Store for iOSIOS
iOS is an operating system for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Apple TV.IOS may also refer to:-Companies and organisations:* Illinois Ornithological Society, American state-based bird club...
. It was featured on the App Store's "New and Noteworthy" category for Role Playing iOS Games specifically and for all iOS Games, "Top Grossing Role Playing Game" and "What's Hot" categories.
External links
- Official North American website from Atlus U.S.A.
- Official Facebook Fan Page for Crimson Gem Saga
- Official Twitter account for Crimson Gem Saga