Riviera: The Promised Land
by Atlus
Our Price: $57.99
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $14.99 (click here)
Category: Video Games
See more product details and other editions
Product Summary
Brand: AtlusRelease Date: 2007-07-10
Platform: Sony PSP
Publisher: Atlus
Product features:
- High-res hand drawn graphics, including all-new event scenes!
- Simple controls that allow for relaxing, yet involving game play!
- A unique battle system where items have different effects based on its user!
- A completely arranged, CD-quality soundtrack!
- From battles to conversations, everything is 100% fully voiced! In dual-language!
Video Game Reviews of Riviera: The Promised Land
Customer Review: A very good, yet quirky, RPG
Summary: 4 Stars
Graphics: 7.5/10
PSP > GBA
--
The graphics of Riviera are simple, a throwback to the days of sprite-based RPGs. That said, the graphics are very well done. Though the animation and details of the sprites of the characters and enemy are simple, they are well done. The environments of the game are very simple backdrops, but again they are very well made.
What really makes the game pop graphic-wise, however, are the CG animations and the character portraits. They are in an anime-style, and very well made, helping to you picture the story in your head, instead of leaving you to wonder what's really going on in that 2D world.
The bigger, crisper screen of the PSP helps to make the graphics much better than the GBA counter-part.
Sound: 7/10
PSP=GBA
--
The PSP version of Riviera has a CD-quality remastered soundtrack, and is now completely voice-acted. The voices are available in English and Japanese. This is a plus, especially if you want either 1) a different experience in another play though or 2) think the english voices are annoying.
However, in battles the music and sound effects seem flat compared the the GBA version of the game, particularly with the use of the OverDrive skills.
Gameplay: 8/10
PSP > GBA
--
Riviera's gameplay is solid, but can get a little repetitive. You are not able to move around as you normally do in RPGs, but instead travel between rooms by using the directional buttons, and look around those rooms using ques call 'Triggers'. What this is is a little balloon on the screen with a directional arrow and description of what you'll be looking at. This is a very unique way of driving an RPG, but as stated earlier, can get a little repetitive.
The battle system is completely turn-based. When entering battle, you will be asked to pick a formation (either 2 in front, one in back; or one in front, two in back) and which three party members you will want to battle. Then, you will pick 4 items to bring with you. These can be anything from weapons, to potions to defensive items. The battle progresses turns based upon 'Wait'. When 'wait' reaches 0, it is that persons turn. The amount of wait is based upon which items you use, and skills you use.
Riviera does not used levels for your characters, like most RPGs. To grow stronger you do something called 'Skil up' by using weapons and gaining experience with that weapon. When you 'Skill up', your health and various attributes increase, and you gain a skill which can be used with that item.
The game also makes extensive use of the OverDrive meter. This meters has 4 tiers. Levels 0-3. At level 0, you can't use any skills. When it reaches level 1, you can use level 1 skill. The same is for level 2 and 3. The meter is filled by damaging your enemies, and being damaged by your enemies.
Overall: 7.5/10
--
Overall, Riviera is a solid RPG, and I would recommend it to casual to moderate RPG players. More hardcore players might not like it.
Compared to the GBA version, the PSP version is not quite as energetic, however, it makes up for it by better driving the storyline with the full vocal tracks.
If you already own the GBA version, then you need not worry about this version (Unless you want to see the new cutscenes and extra episode, and want to hear the full vocals). If you have not purchased this game, then I recommend the PSP version over the GBA version.
(Review based upon ~35 hours of GBA play and ~15 of PSP)
Description of Riviera: The Promised Land
Riviera - The Promised Land takes you into a world where gods are dead and demons are rising. Long ago, a war between gods and demons (known as Ragnarok) erupted, and the world was thrown into a state of chaos. Asgard, overrun by demons, was on the brink of destruction. In desperation, the gods broke an ancient taboo. Sacrificing their very lives, they created black-winged reapers that came to be known as Grim Angels. However, the gods were able to leave behind their power in the heavenly isle of Riviera. A thousand years later, the demons have returned. To fight them, heroes must seek out the power of the gods.Role-Playing Games
Computer and Video Games
Bestsellers in Role-Playing Games
Valkyrie Profile: LennethSquare Enix; Square Enix; Release date: 2006-07-19; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $34.26
Tales Of The World: Radiant MythologyNamco; Namco; Release date: 2007-07-17; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $20.57
Star Ocean: Second EvolutionSquare Enix; Square Enix; Release date: 2009-01-27; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $39.99
Dungeons & Dragons TacticsAtari; Atari Inc.; Release date: 2007-08-14; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $19.98
Price in other shops:
Yggdra UnionAtlus; Atlus Video Games; Release date: 2008-09-16; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $36.69
Price in other shops:
Final Fantasy IISquare Enix; Square Enix; Release date: 2007-07-24; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $17.49
Price in other shops:
Final FantasySquare Enix; Square Enix; Release date: 2007-06-26; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $16.49
Price in other shops:
Valhalla Knights 2Xseed Games; Xseed Games; Release date: 2008-10-01; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $27.58
Price in other shops:
Star Ocean: First DepartureSquare Enix; Square Enix; Release date: 2008-10-21; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $36.99
Price in other shops:
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VIISquare Enix; Square Enix; Release date: 2008-03-25; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $29.49
Price in other shops:
Similar Video and PC Games
Final Fantasy IISquare Enix; Square Enix; Release date: 2007-07-24; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FESAtlus; Atlus; Release date: 2008-04-22; PlayStation2; Video Games
Best price: $24.20
Price in other shops:
Luminous ArcAtlus; Atlus Video Games; Release date: 2007-08-14; Nintendo DS; Video Games
Best price: $37.99
Final FantasySquare Enix; Square Enix; Release date: 2007-06-26; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $17.95
Price in other shops:
Castlevania: The Dracula X ChroniclesKonami; Konami; Release date: 2007-10-23; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $11.20
Price in other shops:
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the LionsSquare Enix; Square Enix; Release date: 2007-10-09; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $10.25
Price in other shops:
Jeanne D'arcSony; Sony Computer Entertainment; Release date: 2007-08-21; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $18.35
Price in other shops:
Disgaea: Afternoon of DarknessNIS America; Atlus; Release date: 2007-10-30; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $25.25
Price in other shops:
Brave Story: New TravelerXseed Games; Xseed Games; Release date: 2007-07-31; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $19.99
Tales Of The World: Radiant MythologyNamco; Namco; Release date: 2007-07-17; Sony PSP; Video Games
Best price: $24.78