The Last Remnant

Game Review by Kieran McSherry | 25 Feb 2009
Game title: The Last Remnant
Publisher: Square-Enix
Release date: Out Now
Price: £49.99

The Last Remnant won’t win any awards for original storytelling. You play Rush Sykes, a teenage metrosexual on a quest to save his kidnapped sister.

Visually, Remnant is stunning. Square's usual artistic genius shines through via the vibrant and interesting world they created. Every area you explore in has its own unique look and style. Unfortunately this quality is marred heavily by technical glitches.

The battle system is one such aspect poorly utilised. We’re talking usual turn based RPG fights but the emphasis shifts from micromanagement, instead taking on a much more tactical feel.

During battles the game will randomly flash a button on screen which you’re expected to press in order to gain a critical hit. Presumably this is to keep players interested as the encounters are usually incredibly long and drawn out.

By the second disc the battles increase in scale and scope. Allowing the player to command a full army in various epic conflicts. Alas, this is no where near as fun as it sounds. With so much happening on screen Remnant slows to a stop and it’s usually around this time you realise how idiotic the supposed “strategic” element of Remnant is.

While in combat there is also no way of checking your inventory, so you have absolutely no idea how many healing or buff items remain. Seriously, Remnant is about as tactical as a Glaswegian pub brawl.

TestFreaks: 8.7/10

IGN - 5.3

MetaCritic: 6.5/10