What's more, the scenarios that were added in the PS3 re-release have all been freshly dubbed in English. This is largely down to janky cutscene animations that haven't aged all that well, and patches of awkward dialogue and voice acting that scream "this game was first localised in 2008". Right or wrong, the party's journey raises some surprisingly thought-provoking themes.īut for all the praise Vesperia deserves due to its characters and engaging plot points, there's no getting away from the fact that its storytelling can be hit and miss. Yes, there are designated baddies scattered throughout, but there's a greyness to Yuri and the gang's actions that keeps things interesting. It gets to a point where you're not even sure whether you're actually playing as the good guys.
The fact that the main cast butt heads so regularly gives them a dynamic that you don't often see - especially in JRPGs - and it's refreshing when one of them has to put their foot down and tell it like it is. Estelle, a noble who's spent her whole life reading books behind castle walls, is indecisive and incredibly naive, but Yuri and the gang's stern support guides her through a great character arc. Yuri's surrounded by a party that you can't help but care for as their motives clash and their relationships bubble. Yuri, the game's protagonist, remains one of the best realised heroes in the series, his aloof exterior hiding relatable insecurities, a dangerously dark streak, and a passion for dumb jokes. It tells a story that deals in a fair amount of cliches - world altering crystals and all that, obviously - but it's the characters that you stay for. It features a primary cast of misfits that are all lovable in their own way - a band of stubborn weirdos who just want to find their purpose in the world. What sets Vesperia apart from its kin is its rather unique personality and feel.