PlayStation 2 Critic Reviews

A throwback to the way RPGs used to be made before polygons. With anime-style characters and a firm story and gameplay, this game should be enjoyable for anyone who can get past the graphical weaknesses.

It loads frequently, the graphics are bland and first-generation, and the music smacks of elevator-itis. Plus, the game’s looping structure is cooler in theory than in reality.

The few folks with the patience needed to understand the game's design goals and unusual approach will find a game with a lot of depth and a truly offbeat adventure. Those who abhor repetition and like their quests spelled out for them should stay away.

While the music doesn't offer much, except the six tracks found in the rhythm-guitar playing sessions, it's decent and surprisingly fits the game. It's not "Final Fantasy", but what is?

Despite the possibilty of too much repetition or worklike feeling, EF brings the first true traditional RPG to the PS2. The story is interesting, the mini-games unique, the characters vivid and the locations fascinating.

The graphics will not sate the eye-candy hungry PS2 player, the plot is not particularly compelling and with the frequency of the load times and frequent (and repetitive) random battles, progress may be considered by some to be unforgivably tedious and slow.

Whether you love or hate the game's clichés and shortcomings, Ephemeral Fantasia is nothing more than average when compared with the majority of other RPGs.

Its inferior graphics and incomplete audio are a considerable distraction and the numerous gameplay issues cause problems of their own.

Despite a unique story concept, it sounds better on paper than in practice. While far from embarrassing, EF is embarrassingly average.

There are bad games that anger me, and then there are bad games that just confuse me. Ephemeral Fantasia belongs in the latter column...I'll slide this one in the drawer and forget about it, while most of you shouldn't even give it that much attention.