Mugen Souls Review
Complex but repetitive and grating, Mugen Souls is overwhelming for all the wrong reasons.
The Good
- Well-drawn character artwork
- Some cute digs at RPG conventions.
The Bad
- Gameplay systems don't intersect well, and are rarely rewarding
- In-game tutorials don't explain mechanics well and can't be viewed later
- Field environments are boring and sparse
- Space battles are much too easy.
There's a lot to appreciate about the anime-style trappings seen in many Japanese role-playing games. The influence of Japan's rich history of cartoon and comic art can translate to colorful environments, outlandish characters, and even some offbeat humor. Mugen Souls is one such RPG. But while it wholeheartedly embraces the anime-loving, game-marathoning otaku culture that inspired it, Mugen Souls seems to have completely forgotten to be a good game first and foremost.
The premise of Mugen Souls is novel: rather than saving the world from imminent destruction, antiheroine Chou-Chou wants to turn every being in the seven corners of the universe into her loyal servant. She has a knack for getting people to surrender to her will, thanks to her unique ability to pander exactly to anyone's taste in character stereotypes. She also has a commandeered spaceship and an ever-growing army of subservient lackeys under her rule.
The character designs are cute and appealing (if a little uncomfortable at times--some of the characters look quite young), and the theme of conquering the universe with your egotistical charm is inherently appealing. But the problems with Mugen Souls emerge from the get-go. Chou-Chou's one-note appeal fades quickly as she and the supporting cast fail to undergo any satisfying character development, even after Chou-Chou displays her ability to assume seven different personality types.
The one-dimensional characters might be forgiven if their interactions were as funny as the game seems to think they are. Alas, attempts at humorous exchanges between the characters fall flat with resounding thuds, save for a few cute digs at video gaming conventions. There's little to the story besides the supposed humor, so when the funny fails, every lengthy dialogue exchange turns into an excruciating experience.
Solid gameplay can rescue an RPG with a weak story, but the gameplay of Mugen Souls is a superficially complex mess of disparate mechanics that fail to gel into anything cohesive. Chou-Chou, her seven personalities, and her servants traverse small, sloppily designed, uninteresting overworld areas, which chug along at incomprehensibly low frame rates, despite their simplistic visuals and object models, unless you lower your display resolution to 720p. There are mobs of endlessly respawning enemies on each map, and though you can see them before you fight, they tend to move so quickly that avoiding them (or slashing Chou-Chou's weapon fast enough to enter battle with an advantage) is extremely difficult once they notice your presence.
When you enter a fight, there are lots of options available to you, all of which are explained only one time through poorly presented tutorials--which then become completely inaccessible should you want to review anything you've learned. You've got a fairly standard RPG array of basic attacks, special skills, and items to use, as well as a positioning-based combat system that lets your party and the enemies run around the field. Characters can also perform team-up attacks that have some amusing animations, but they become so drawn out that you are quickly tempted to turn off the "battle animations" option.
Chou-Chou has access to some unique skills, however. She can shift into one of her seven personalities mid-combat, which changes her affinities toward special attacks; rather than being based on traditional RPG elements like fire, wind, and water, skill and character affiliations are based on personality traits like bipolar, graceful, and sadist. Chou-Chou also has an ability called the "moé kill": by pandering to enemies' particular tastes, she can transform them into willing peons, who then power up her spaceship. This is accomplished by trying to match a series of three action selections to an enemy's taste and current mood. Make the enemy happy, and you are rewarded; pick the wrong choices, and you get an agitated, more powerful foe to contend with.
I sometimes wonder what happened to the good ol' days of jrpg's and anime. Before hypersexualized schoolgirls and ultra-ridiculous plotlines took over.
Hey this game is almost as good as res. 6, maybe its worth checking out
GameSpot sure loves making games seem worse than what they really are.
Ah Compile Heart, always getting terrible reviews. Gonna pick this up anyway, I've bought Compile Heart games with lower scores and loved them.
I remember a time when games didn't have tutorials. Mugen Souls' systems are about as complex as tying your shoes.
Once again gamespot has given another poor review to a jrpg. I wish they would get some writers who weren't just stuck on the call of duty games. If you are a J-rpg player who doesn't need to over think, expect call of duty or typical westerner type video games this is a game you can relax and just enjoy. When it comes to gaming your best bet is to listen to what the customers are saying not the reviewers(this is very true for the gamespot reviewers). I have gone to other gaming sites where this game is getting 9.0 from j-rpg fans who understand this kind of game. Games are supposed to be fun and yes at times just silly and light hatred and this is what this game brings. The haters are going to hate and with the track record of the rating gamespot is handing out to jrpgs its clear they are a hater of j-rpgs. If you need to wait for a used copy then do so but I would point this game out to try out for the jrpg fan. I ended up getting the limited edition with the figures from NIS America very cute and a great add-on to my other anime figures.
lillywaters Do you know Heidi Kemps, at all? She is the biggest Japanese RPG fan that writes for GameSpot.
doc-brown lillywaters
Just because she is a fan doesn't mean that her review cancels out everyone else's thoughts and opinions on the game.
Morokoo lillywaters I was replying specifically to this: "I wish they would get some writers who weren't just stuck on the call of duty games."
doc-brown lillywaters Frankly, no one on Gamespot and most of the entire internet "knows" Heidi, nor do they have to. The fact is, most jrpg reviews on Gamespot suck, despite fans still loving them. They're part of a niche, and caring fans of a niche get upset when their games get bashed by reviews that aren't thorough. Whether she's well versed in jrpg's or not matters nothing. This review is skimpy, poor, and one sided, as most have been regarding a very unique and under appreciated genre. I've been reading Gamespot editorials for 13 years, and this year has been by far the worst for reviews on many fronts. Their face is changing, and it's becoming one of sour tastes and dis-interest for games that either don't change, don't stay streamlined and easy, or stay completely marketed to a western majority market. If a game is not top the 40 equivalent of video games with little care or publicity for the minority (or the so-called minority), then don't expect the editors on Gamespot to really give a damn. The only reason I bother to comment on this sucky reviews is to share my positive input to even out a bad review that doesn't deserve a bad review.
jinseinoseikou ( "If a game is not top the 40 equivalent of video games with little care or publicity for the minority (or the so-called minority), then don't expect the editors on Gamespot to really give a damn." )
Some of the highest rated reviewed games on this site in recent history have been small, little-known indie titles.
Your problem, and the problem of 'some' others complaining here is, you're only interested in reading what you want to read. You want to read reviews that sit in line with your own opinions, or expectations. Reviewers aren't paid to have your tastes and opinions, they can only share their own. Whether Heidi Kemps is a fan of JRPGS or not is also completely irrelevant. Reviewers aren't supposed to look at games of a particular genre through special tinted fan-lenses that make everything appear awesome to suit their predisposition. That's what fansites are for.
Just because you like a game, does not mean that someone who didn't is 'wrong', nor does it mean their 'review' is bad. It simply means you have different opinions about a game.
I have to say that who ever reviewed this game seems to be stressing more points -ive played games form this company before -the battle system isn't very hard to figure out ive played it and other games and its rather easy to pick up and its got some funny story to go along with it. Plus considering that fps get perfect scores i don't think i understand what your rating system is based on. First of all i have to ask what are you judging this game on -and do you even enjoy this sort of game if you don't which im starting to think is the case with many reviews i see like this of this type of game that the problem is that people who don't like it are reviewing it. so please let us try to be objective. Personally i think this game is fun and enjoyable -not for everyone though, first is the battle system easy to understand yes. though i think they should have done the tutorial a little better its not hard and you can always do what we all used to do before in game tutorials -read the manual. I know shock right. the second problem i have is that i don't think the reviewer tired hard enough to play it the battles aren't hard and if your worried about the enemies and hitting it with your sword -thats a bonus it doesn't effect your ability to normally win a fight its for an extra at the start. Now do i think there are some issue yes personally the enemies respawn a little on the fast side-second i do think the sword speed is a little slow but that is a difficulty possibly put in so its not abused after all if you get it every time its too easy. As for story im enjoying laughing a lot too. Seriously i don't know how much you played but its not much if thats all you writen personally it sounds like you played about one level of the game and left. Its not perfect but neither is halo or call of duty but everyone throws 10s at those -personally i don't get how your ratting system works if the game is funcional fun may have a issue or 2 but if it doesn't realy stop you from enjoying a game id say so far this game is at least a solid 7 or 7.5 granted also that i consider the last couple fps games ive seen only 5 becuase there isn't anything interesting or new and its all the same old thing.
Max42 My eyes...they hurt >.<
As this mediocre review was written, thousands of fans flocked to Mugen Souls and did something that not many people seem to do these days; they had fun, they didn't over analyze, and they didn't care two bleeps about some review written by opinionated reviews. It was also an avenue of stress relief since my mother has been going through chemotherapy. If there's any time to be having fun in a game, without overanalyzing it down to it's nitty gritty core, it's when your stressed to hell. Right now I'm glad to be playing a sub-par jrpg. And when I say sub-par, I mean the general consensus that this game, if not most of the genre, as a rated b movie equivalent in the video game world. But frankly, sometimes that's just what I need.
I've been playing some great jrpg's recently, many of which have been poorly received by big review sites.
If your unsure, wait for the inevitable price drop and check it out. Worst comes to worst, trade it in towards a newer, bolder, grittier jrpg that will inevitably come within a year or two.
I got the collectors set. It's awesome, and I'd highly recommend it for jrpg fans who like to have a bit of fun, but don't demand too much from their games.
jinseinoseikou They care enough to call this review "mediocre" though, as is typical of game fans who consider themselves always right about games that they like.
jinseinoseikou And you made a plug there. How shameless.
Japanese weirdness goes too far in this one.
WOW, i mean.... wow, what on earth is going on with jrpg's nowadays, i can't understand how in the world such a great genre could become so depraved , perverted and terrible.
i mean how do you go from games like the persona series, or the KH series to... this! it's sad because out of all the games i've spent the last 15 years playing, none gave me more joy then a good jrpg. Hell i could say the same for anime(but that's another subject),
i don;t see amazing originality or engrossing worlds that i grew up loving as a kid, no epic battles., no feeling of connection with the characters, and poor(perverted/emasculated character design) and the music my goodness what happened to the captivating music scores or the awsome/catchy j-pop/rock
i truly can only say the tales series have yet to disappoint as far as next gen jrpg's go(and oddly enough the rpg's that have come out on the Wii like last story.) and square.... i expected better.
on a side note for Dark/Demon souls i really don't consider them "JRPG's" but a solid(FRUSTRATING!) RPG.
also, i'm speaking about the genre as a whole not just individual developers.
i apologize if this seems a little ranty or jumbled.
arsyad00 What conspiracy? I don't see any elaboration from you when you responded to that list of games by ABEzilla116.
kiramasaki stealth_knight_ Romangelo
I believe all three of you have argued with me before. Now, for this game, you have more than a few voices going against you.
What will you do now, *hm*? Stick to your guns and claim yourselves "right" and everyone else "wrong" and/or corrupt (without proof), or just suck it up and chalk this as a difference of opinions?
Gelugon_baat kiramasaki stealth_knight_ Romangelo
You seem to be in every low scoring review and bashing those who criticise the reviewer(which they have every right to since its their "opinion"). Why do you like arguing so much?
NaturalDisplay
I don't like people that consider their opinions on games as the only ones that are right and consider that everyone else who thinks differently is wrong, that's why.
Also, it's not criticism if they bring forth their own opinions instead of facts - it's just complaining.
Crossel777 Way to go mentioning the Final Fantasy games, dude. You just caused a section of the comment thread to divert away from this game to another game. :/
Waiting for Nis to take some kind of clue from Dark Souls, The Last Story, or Radiant Historia. Just because your RPG is Japanese in origin, doesn't mean it has to have this trite, ultra kawaii aesthetic and narrative EVREY SINGLE TIME. I honestly can't imagine anyone other than an overly enthusiastic anime fan, who never takes off they're cat ears playing and enjoying 85% of what Nis has put out in the last 10 years.
DinoBuster The day that NISA goes away from being the only place to get otaku games is the day NISA loses my and many others support. They're my favorite publisher since hardly anyone else will take risks with these types of games.. I'd hate it if they just went to the same realistic or bland games everyone else does.
DinoBuster
Mugen Souls wasn't made by NIS.
And releasing grimdark and serious shit like Dark Souls probably drive me away from NIS games. I like the niche, quirky qualities their games have.
where's the "Sexuality in young characters" con?
SupaPhly Thankfully NISA edited a mini game where you showered the characters with soap covering the dirty bits (With lots of moaning). The game still sucks but at least the people that play it wouldn't feel the need to register as a sex offender.
KillerJuan77 SupaPhly Psh, and people got on me for calling that shit out. I mean...REALLY? Like...REALLY?
chipwithdip SupaPhly I was wondering how can people defend something like that (And you are hearing this from a guy that loves horror and exploitation films. I like artsy cinema too though :P ) because in reality NISA had to remove something that was neccessary for the gameplay so the developers actually thought it was an "OK" concept for a game: "MOE KILLS AND SHOWERING LOLIS WITH AN OVERSTUFFED COMBAT SYSTEM GREAT GAME". What the fuck Compile Heart?!
KillerJuan77 chipwithdip SupaPhly two words: FALSE MORALISM
People, the game sucks. I have a friend who's trying to play through the game now and he says it's convoluted and just overall shitty, but the humor is meant to be good, just like any other NIS title.
Anyone who says "HURR, CoD gets a 8." pull your head out of your fucking assholes, stop hugging your anime girl pillows and man up. Did you expect the reviewer to be all like "THIS GAME IS UBER KAWAII GO BUY NAO." or some shit? Well, sorry to break it to you but not everyone thinks the same as you, Gamespot isn't just a giant talking logo that passes judgement to all games, they're a bunch of reviewers with vastly different opinions to one another and you. If you want to see how it is go buy it and see for yourself, just remember that your precious little NIS America is capable of crapping out a shit game at times, Need I bring up Last Rebellion? And hey! If you like it, good on you. Reviewers bashed Lost Planet 2 and I personally love that game but you didn't see me going on a rampage of QQ cuz of it.
If you want a good JRPG go buy Tales of Grace F.
Nexozable I really don't trust reviewers when it comes to doing a fair review on a JRPG, but you make some really good points. I'll probably wait until the game gets cheaper and see how much it sucks for myself.
Odins_Fury Nexozable its a nis game its never going to get cheaper. it will quickly disappear off shelves and become 70 bucks in no time online because nis is a crappy company that makes mostly mediocre to garbage rpgs and does low print runs.
Nexozable
I think jrpgs have "lost their way" and that north american rpgs tend to be better. I know if I told myself this as a teen I would have not believed it. Cod may be generic in some ways but the game mechanics are solid it doesn't feel cheap and although corny they at least try to change things up every few levels to break up the tidium. Plus some of the characters like Captain Price can be very entertaining.
I say if your a fan of jrpgs you should check out review sties that have a more japanese feel to them. I would guess kotaku would be a good site but then again I could be wrong so dont freak out on me if i am Lol . It's all in good fun.
Nexozable ppl praised tales of graces f but personally i hated that game so i see ur point..
louis2828 Well, yeah. It's not an amazing game but in terms of it being a JRPG it does things right.
Nexozable Or Resonance Of Fate, Star Ocean IV (On the PS3 since the 360's english dub is horrendous), Lost Odyssey, Disgaea 3 or 4, the SMT games, Tales Of The Abyss, The Last Remnant (On the PC), FFXIII and XIII-2, Infinite Undiscovery or even Ar Tonelico Qoga. I've learned through the hard way that most Compile Heart and Idea Factory games are poorly optimized, hideously designed moe infested bureaucratic nightmares that only hardcore JRPG fans and game collectors would play.
KillerJuan77 Nexozable Star Ocean 3 > Star Ocean 4, but SO4 was dece, I guess. Had the same feel, just did everything...worse. Shorter, cheesier story, easier (comparing medium difficulties here), worse characters, less post-game, so on and so forth. Best part about SO4 was the fact that you could switch in remaining party members if you lost a few. Probably should play it again on a harder difficulty for the challenge, but I'm busy with SF X TKN. 2013 patch looks promising.
chipwithdip Nexozable I'm going to wait for the Vita version of SF X TKN since it looks awesome. And even though SO4 is worse than 3... it's still a fun game and the higher difficulties are very challenging.
KillerJuan77 Nexozable Sounds nice. If I get time, I'll look into it.
Nexozable STOP LIKING WHAT I HATE.
Style over substance games tend to pull you in for a couple of hours but, after that, I just feel you've wasted your time.
Yeah, this game sucks... comparing to Call of Duty standard. Jeez people, you know what the game offers. If you like that go and get it. It would have been a Judgment day if this got above 8 in GameSpot so why the wandering?
Nexozable
You obviously didn't understand what I wanted to say so I'll skip that pat comment.
Nexozable CloudXentar Someone doesn't understand sarcasm
Nexozable You didn't realize that he was making a poke at people who actually brought Call of Duty up first, did you?
KillerJuan77 You really should read through that first post again before making a like. You may notice the sarcastic jab. ;)
Gelugon_baat KillerJuan77 Yeah, I realized that. My mistake. xD
An RPG that focuses around dress-up items sounded kinda fun, too. Oh well. Maybe someone else will get it right.
Hey guys, the reason this game got a low score is because it isn't good, like most of Compile Heart's work. The truth hurts.
Game Emblems
The Bad
Mugen Souls
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- Publisher(s): NIS America
- Developer(s): Compile Heart
- Genre: Role-Playing
- Release: Oct 16, 2012 (US) »
- ESRB: T
