JablesTX

Alais is correct: Millennium 4: Beyond Sunset is NOT the game to play first in the series. For so many reasons, it's worth it to start at Millennium 1 and play through. That said, the first time I played this installment, I did something I never do: I skipped most of the side quests so I could find out what happens next. Marine and her friends are up against the clock and running out of time, and the plot takes one nail-biting turn after another. Then I went back and played it again because if you do play all the chapters, and do you plan to play Millennium 5 when it's released, then you've got a LOT of work that really needs to be done before you complete the main quest. Without spoiling anything, the characters need to be leveled up two different ways, and one of those ways can be frustrating initially, but is well worth the effort. Speaking of the characters, Millennium 4 has the largest cast of playable characters you'll find in any similar RPG, and their banter is absolutely hilarious in places. The game has the beautiful scenery and soundtrack we've come to expect in the series, and does a fantastic job of setting the stage for the final showdown yet to come.

Millennium 3: Cry Wolf, the third chapter in the series, is LONG. And that's a good thing! In reviewing the previous installments I've stated the player can choose not to do side quests and still have a great experience, and while that's still the case here, I highly recommend taking the extra time for them. Marine and her friends have a LOT to do, but the plot is engaging enough that it never feels tedious. All the previous user options are available, production quality is as high as ever, and the iPod-worthy soundtrack raises the bar even higher than Millennium 2. The character artwork is beautiful, and there are a couple of new "masculine" additions in this installment I find exceptionally... appealing... even if their personalities leave a little something to be desired... (it's intentional! and it works!) Again, the characters and their stories are what make this series stand out: they grow, especially Marine and especially in this chapter.

Millenium 2: Take Me Higher is the second chapter in the adventures of Marine and her gang as they continue their journey across the land of Myst. All the user options of the first installment are available, allowing the player to tailor the experience, as well as offering the opportunity to either follow the main quest from beginning to end, or take on the side quests that, again, include some challenging boss fights. The music is amazing, with one piece in particular at the end that is far and away the best thing I've heard in ANY RPG. Excellent mapping and scenery, engaging new characters, and, as the previous viewer mentioned, a surprisingly emotional sequence at the completion of the main quest.

First in a series of five games (the fifth is due out in the near future), Millennium: A New Hope starts the heroine, the feisty optimist Marine, on her quest to save the common folk of Myst. As the previous reviewer stated, the player chooses the difficulty level, the encounter rate, guided or non-guided paths, and, later in the game, a special skillset for Marine. As well, the player can pursue a pretty long list of sidequests, including a variety of boss fights (one of which is the most difficult I've encountered in an RPG!), or simply follow the main quest from beginning to end and still have a great time. The mapping is very high quality, the scenery gorgeous in places, but I think one of the game's greatest attributes is the characters. They're beautifully drawn, surprisingly engaging, and are, in my opinion, what makes the game unique. It's a common plot, saving the world, but told in a fresh way with plenty of humor. Definitely a fun game for anyone who enjoys old school RPG.