Baten Kaitos Origins

"The amount of strategy in battles is pretty deep, and the entertaining battle mechanic is actually the reason people will keep coming back for another multi-hour gaming session."

"Traditional RPG fans may not get as much out of this one as they would if it was more conventional, while veterans to the series (or newcomers that love the battle mechanic) will defend it to the bitter end. When comparing it to its predecessor, Origins does the series justice. The adventure is just as difficult, has a better overall story, and delivers more gameplay than the original with 60+ hours of play (factoring in every sub-mission). Battles require serious strategy with a hint of luck, and the deck customization – while cut back a bit from the original game – is deep and involving."

"Baten Kaitos Origins' complex card-battle system and punishing foes weigh the game down, but it's a worthy adventure for role-playing fans who relish a challenge."

This game is superb in many ways, but sometimes too frustrating to warrant an A-level score. There's a fine line between "challenging" and "cheap," and there are some occasions where I feel Baten Kaitos Origins crosses that line.