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First off, I'd like to give credit where it's due. I'd like to thank Michael Motoda for introducing me to "The Vision of Escaflowne" in his excellent review of the anime series. After watching the series over, I had decided, "Yes... This series IS on that same plane of greatness that Macross and Evangelion exist on." The anime is something to watch, no doubt about it. In fact, I wholeheartedly stand behind it, and encourage you too to watch it. The game on the other hand...
Bandai's Vision of Escaflowne follows closely to the entire Escaflowne anime, at least the major events in the story. In fact, it is safe to say that this game version of Escaflowne is the "abridged version" of the anime, leaving out many of the elements and little touches that make Escaflowne so great.
I bought this game for the sole reason of loving the Escaflowne series so much. After playing this game, I went out and bought the Bandai models of "Escaflowne" and "Scherazade" 'cause I thought those mecha were so cool. There is at least 20 full minutes of anime all right, but from what I saw, there was not much new animation at all. Bandai's Escaflowne introduces two new characters, convieniently adding them to Escaflowne's timeline. One may wonder where these characters fit in at all?
You have Refina, a female member of Dilandau's Dragon Lance team. When I saw this in the preview, I figured that, "Wow! There definiely has to be some story behind her or something." Not to spoil anyone, but she's just one "boss-type" character that Van ends up killing. No story, no real emotion behind her. She's just there. A Dog-type character who challenges you on one stage and is easily dispatched. And Hitomi's schoolmate from earth in which she pilots a new type of Guymelef. Not much depth to these other characters either.
There is A LOT of text in this game, outlining the major events in Escaflowne. Like I said before, the game closely follows the anime, which can be a bad thing if you're the type who likes to be surprised by new things. For example, there is a scene in Escaflowne where Escaflowne and Scherazade take it head to head. In the anime, Allen (Scherazade's pilot) easily takes out Van (Escaflowne's pilot) in his Guymelef. In the game, Scherazade can kill you with two hits, and when Escaflowne (you) hits him, he takes the damage and regenerates it. The battles in Escaflowne that you KNOW you're going to lose, you'll notice right away. No matter how much you try to change the course of the game by hitting Scherazade 20 times, Allen MUST come out on top for the game to progress. This game is TOO linear. I know when I'm going to lose ('cause I follow the anime REALLY close) and can't do a thing to change the course of history. Big minus in my book.
Play control is simple. That is, when you're NOT reading the loads and loads of text, there is a game. There are three modes. Text/Talking is the first. The second is the maze mode, where you control Van Fanel sans Escaflowne in a maze to talk to characters. In this mode, there are a maximum of five different characters to talk to on one map. Usually you only have to find that one person to talk to, or proceed to the end of the maze. Not much excitement here, folks.
Third mode: Escaflowne mode. The most popular and entertaining of the modes has you piloting Escaflowne. Two buttons control only. The Circle button attacks. L1 and R1 to dash. That's it. No more. Fighting in Escaflowne is the only thing that will keep you awake in this game. The enemy are easily defeated (I consider myself a decent gamer), and boss characters leave a lot to be desired in strategy. In fact, I believe there is only one difficulty setting for this game and you're playing it.
Okay let's talk anime and voice. Anime cut-scenes are put into the game at key points as are the voice clips. Examples include Van's first meeting with Hitomi on Earth; The intro of the game had everyone's VOICE clips straight from the anime. (Except Amano sempai..=) hehe..) and straight ANIME clips from the series. Ex: Van awakening Escaflowne.
Discrepencies with the true anime: You'll notice them. Believe, me if you've watched the entire series, you'll shake your head in disbelief. I'll leave it for you to see.
Gamewise: I'm sorry to give this game a "2" of 10. The fighting scenes aren't enough and are too easy. Replay value for this Anime game? If you can't get enough of the opening theme, pop the disk in your Playstation. It's on there too. Otherwise, I doubt you'll ever pick this game up again once you've finished it.
**For people who LOVE Escaflowne: This game is a tragedy. Yeah, it's cool to control a Guymelef and take out enemy Alseides 'melefs with one stroke of your sword, but there isn't much variation beyond that. There is A LOT of Japanese text, so if you're Japanese is only minimal (Katakana/Hiragana), you'll just keep pressing the circle button to bypass everything and get to the next fight scene. Like I stated before, the fight scenes are the only thing that will keep you awake. Otherwise you'd have to save it (there ARE set saving points) and come back later when you wake up. The new characters are so minute, that they really weren't even worth a mention. You meet that new Dragon pilot twice. Once in the beginning (you're even given a anime cut-scene to make it look authentic), and once in the end when you kill her.
Visuals: 3/4 perspective w/ 2-D sprites. Reminiscent of Diablo's view, sans the action Anime clips are choppy (they HAD to remove some frames to make it fit on the disk.)
Voices: So-So with the occasional "bad" recording noise in the background.
Positives (+) An anime that is very popular WILL have a game made for it.
(+) Anime clips are sharp (LD quality), but choppy.
(+) Voice and Anime clips happen when you expect or don't expect them to happen. (Better than my VHS subs)
(+) 2-D sprites are well dones and proportional.
(+) Larger anime images when characters are interacting.
(+) I like the mecha designs. Well done.
Negatives
(-) Everything that needed to be said was said.
(-) There are not too many new events. If you know someone is going to die, it'll happen like the anime.
(-) Characters NOT where they're supposed to be. (When companies ruin the plot of a game by twisting it to fit in the new characters, it urks me)
(-) Too-Linear. The game strictly follows the anime, and doesn't give you any leeway for choices or change.
(-) Hitomi's got these INCREDIBLE cow-licks.
In conclusion:
Is this game worth buying? No. I can save you $70 plus dollars by telling you what's different about this game. For anime lovers? You'd be better off watching the Anime over. You're going to spend a fortune on this game and not want it after you're done. The only thing it's good for? Novelty value. Otherwise, don't waste your time.