Carlsev Saga I is the first part of an epic, multi-part RPG. It is a game that employs a non-traditional approach on several fronts. It's an impressive game overall with many twists and turns to be found.

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Good Stuff

The storyline is the forerunner in Carlsev Saga part 1 -- it's an epic tale of political intrigue. Just when you think you might have it figured out, Deckiller throws you for a loop. There are plot twists abound and it's important that you remember key story sequences. The world is populated with rich characters who are not clearly defined as black and white, and it's often difficult to pick a side. The story is hard to talk about without spoiling it, but if you liked games like Final Fantasy Tactics or Vagrant Story, this game is right up your alley.

The music selections were fantastic. Almost every new song that came on, I immediately found myself humming along. Deckiller expertly picks the best tunes from some of the best RPGs, and each one clearly fits the area you're in.

The dungeons were a lot of fun. Most dungeons had a fun mechanic that added some puzzle-ness to the experience. Probably my favorite dungeon was the Ice Labyrinth. Mapping would go hand-in-hand with the dungeons, and the mapping was well done. And if you ever needed to revisit a dungeon, or anywhere else in the world for that matter, teleportation crystals were lightly scattered about, and allowed instant travel.

Leveling in this game, you'll quickly realize, isn't as emphasized as it is in other games. Your primary source of stat boosts comes from 'tonics' that alchemists can create for your team. Alchemical ingredients drop from monsters around that area, and you can utilize the "monster spawning crystals" to make this task even easier. Along side this is equipment. Tonics really trump everything in this game, so don't be afraid to use them and to spend your money on restorative items. Don't expect to become a powerhouse by grinding out levels, the cap is 25 for part I. Focus on making more tonics and you'll be in better shape.

Battle Skills were a very fun mechanic added to the game. While Carlsev Saga makes use of the default battle system, Deckiller has added some interesting skills to the mix. While abilities vary per character and team, you usually have a physical combatant, a support caster combatant, and a third possibly utility or damage-dealing combatant. Some characters can learn skills by watching their opponents, while some can draw magic in the form of Essence (Essence also is a focus for the story.)

Side quests were prevalent in this game. If you like the idea of "going off the beaten path," then there is lots of fun to be had here. Hidden bosses populate most dungeons and they provide an excellent source of experience, wealth, and rewards. They are not, however, easy. If you want to take them down (and you will) you'll need to make sure you are aptly prepared. It's a very satisfying feeling to take down a mini-boss and seeing all those rewards flood your screen.

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Bad Stuff
The stuff here isn't really bad, just something you need to worry about and can become a problem if you don't.

Healing is a major issue in this game. Don't expect to always have a single, dedicated healer or you'll get yourself into trouble. A common tactic will be to have two off-healers instead of one dedicated healer. And the only multi-target heal in the game is relatively weak (as a heal) but will also boost your stats, so it's a trade off. This leads into my next point...

Items are a huge part of this game! You *must* make use of all the potions, large potions, and tonics you find. I was trying to horde up a bunch of tonics to use at a later date, and ended up making parts of the game extremely difficult for myself. It's also worth taking note that don't worry about saving money for equipment, there isn't that much to be had. Spend that gold on restorative items and make sure you get all the tonics you can at each alchemist, as most of them use different ingredients.

Overall this is an excellent game, one that I highly recommend. A wonderful storyline plus an addictive combat and leveling system make for 7-10 hours of fun. Make sure you give this one a try.

4.5/5 stars