Falling Stars
Encyclopedia
Falling Stars is a console role-playing game developed by Ivolgamus and published by Nordcurrent in Europe and by Agetec
in North America. It was released on August 24, 2007 in Europe
for Microsoft Windows
and the PlayStation 2
and on August 26, 2008 in the United States
for the PlayStation 2
. The game is aimed at young children and was released with a price point lower than most PS2 games.
Combat:
Monsters are unleashed upon the world before your very eyes. You cannot fight until you've obtained your pet, Komi. Battles require input to progress. When Komi's time bar fills, he can attack. When the monster's time bar fills, Komi can defend. The strength of the attack depends on the strength of the defense. If the two match, less damage is done.
Monsters have attack patterns players can learn and use to compensate.
For example, the Red Dog will begin his attack pattern with either Red (strong) or Yellow (fast). In either case (Red or Yellow), the pattern will follow as Yel, Red, Yel, Red, Yel, White. Since the Red Dog's pattern ends with White (mega), it's easy to tell when a new pattern is beginning.
You can heal Komi with magic or the more affective Health Potions when Luna's time bar fills. Luna's time bar can be rushed by rotating the RAS (right analog stick).
Komi's stats can be boosted through equipped accessories, special items, and experience. Enough experience gains Komi bonus training points for use in Luna's home.
Other critiques might include frequent slow-loading screens, slow character movement/reaction, sprinting which requires stamina (a slow-refilling bar potions fill instantly), etc.
Positive notes would highlight the rare "dress-up" system featuring multiple character's opinions, the complexity of mini-games, conversations which begin automatically upon approach, plays in six different languages, opening movie is pretty if short, there is no "game over", the battle mechanics are relatively interesting.
Agetec
Agetec is a US based video game publishing company that is best known for bringing Japanese titles to the US, including their flagship series Armored Core, and the King's Field RPG series, as well as their "designer series" of RPG Maker and Fighter Maker...
in North America. It was released on August 24, 2007 in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
for Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
and the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and on August 26, 2008 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
. The game is aimed at young children and was released with a price point lower than most PS2 games.
Gameplay
In Falling Stars, players control Luna, a young girl who lives in the peaceful land of Dazzleon. Luna's uncle, Matt, discovers a curious mine and decides to take up residence in Dazzleon to investigate. The mine slowly takes over Matt's mind and he begins to perform evil experiments. Eventually, Matt turns on his pets, changing them all into evil monsters. Realizing her uncle's madness, Luna sets out to save him and prevent the world from suffering dire consequences.Combat:
Monsters are unleashed upon the world before your very eyes. You cannot fight until you've obtained your pet, Komi. Battles require input to progress. When Komi's time bar fills, he can attack. When the monster's time bar fills, Komi can defend. The strength of the attack depends on the strength of the defense. If the two match, less damage is done.
Monsters have attack patterns players can learn and use to compensate.
For example, the Red Dog will begin his attack pattern with either Red (strong) or Yellow (fast). In either case (Red or Yellow), the pattern will follow as Yel, Red, Yel, Red, Yel, White. Since the Red Dog's pattern ends with White (mega), it's easy to tell when a new pattern is beginning.
You can heal Komi with magic or the more affective Health Potions when Luna's time bar fills. Luna's time bar can be rushed by rotating the RAS (right analog stick).
Komi's stats can be boosted through equipped accessories, special items, and experience. Enough experience gains Komi bonus training points for use in Luna's home.
Reception and Criticism
Few official reviews for Falling Stars exist but those that do are critical of the gameplay. Criticisms include 'sterile combat' and 'flat characters'. The game has not received a score higher than 65% according to Metacritic, pooling reviews from 4 separate online sources.Other critiques might include frequent slow-loading screens, slow character movement/reaction, sprinting which requires stamina (a slow-refilling bar potions fill instantly), etc.
Positive notes would highlight the rare "dress-up" system featuring multiple character's opinions, the complexity of mini-games, conversations which begin automatically upon approach, plays in six different languages, opening movie is pretty if short, there is no "game over", the battle mechanics are relatively interesting.
External links
- Falling Stars official website
- Falling Stars at GameSpotGameSpotGameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
- Falling Stars at IGNIGNIGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...