Blue Dragon completed. I started this c.2010 when Frank randomly showed up at my house to hang out, and then didn't play it again until a few months ago. I think I can sum it up with "all right." There's nothing really bad about it, but simultaneously there's nothing amazing about it. It's really the epitome of what I think of a JRPG: turn-based, world map, etc.

The plot was okay up to a point: Bad guy with super powers is destroying the world in his quest for world domination, and your little gang is trying to take him out. Some parts of the story are somewhat fuzzy; you know there was an ancient civilization that could use magic, although no one can anymore. The antagonist is from that ancient time and is using his abilities to keep the people subjected. It's never really explained why he's still alive (albeit old and decrepit) or why the old civilization collapsed (I'm guessing though through warfare). At the end of the game the antagonist splits the planet and has islands of cubes floating between the two halves where towns are placed. Supposedly this is what the ancients did with the world, although it's unknown what advantage this gives or why anyone would want this.

None of the characters really evoke any strong emotion from the player in either direction. Well, Maromaro had a really annoying voice, but that was about it. I found them overall to be enjoyable, but they won't stay in my heart like from other games.

The graphics are 3D and simple. Toriyama did the character design, and I wish people would stop asking him to do that. Just take Bulma, Goku, or Piccolo, swap the hair and clothes, and you've got every single character he's ever made. I already complained about the focusing issue, and I'm still somewhat confused by that. I know this is DVD technology, but the 360 can handle more than this.

Uematsu did the music, and it's not his best of works. Lost Odyssey was released the following year and was definitely a lot better.

Even with all these complaints, it's still a solid game. Not the best, but definitely good. I'd recommend it.