Since this is a strategy game more than RP, I gave it 4 Stars for one reason alone. It is not as challenging as the first Ogre Battle (March of the Black Queen). Do not get me wrong, it can be challenging at times and even frustrating at times but the 1st OB was much harder. Example: the bosses in this game are far easier. The first OB for the SNES still stands out in my mind w/ bosses like the Gemini Twins, Diablo, etc.

Another thing to consider... if you are someone who HAS TO have complete control during a fight, than it is a good bet you will *not* enjoy this game. You are basically a general of a battilion giving orders and watching them carry out those orders. The best part of the game is designing your army. You can create a battle unit to emplore all your favorite classes (e.g. Princess which provides extra attack, Lich for brute dark magic, Dragoon for sheer strength, Paladin for his holy attacks, Black Knight for evil attacks, etc.) Combine these characters to make an army you want! And you have plenty of choices, I could waste a lot time just spewing all the characters in this game. You can pair up wizards to make spells combine for a different spell (e.g. Earth and Fire combine for Lava Shot) and more damage. That is the attraction and the strategy part.

The other attraction is the storyline, which is better than the 1st OB. It is not the best storyline across all games, but it is also modifable. Sometimes a small decision you make costs the life of someone dear. There are 3 MAIN endings to the game. There can be small differences in those endings depending on the storyline characters you recruit. This is what gives the game a replay value ...to try different routes in the game and see different endings and different story points and try for other storyline characters ...in my next game I am going for Biske (a werewolf boss).

There are A LOT of nuisances to this game. More than you can imagine. Stuff like removing a character from a unit will lower the morale of the unit ...but you can not see the morale of a unit (i.e. hidden from you). So, read the Internet, DO NOT buy the Prima Strategy Guide unless you really want it. It has some incorrect information and not enough of the good information. Visit OB64 websites, not prima guide! Personal websites, not business websites. I don't know if I can legally post mine here so I am not going to chance it. Also, read the manual and Hugo's Report (in the game). The game has a nice feature of letting you view past movies and good advice - take advantage of that.

It is a GREAT game, but mostly for people who love strategy games like Romance of the III Kingdoms and even RP gamers. I play all types (action, racing, rpg, strategy, fighting), but I will say this... I enjoy strategy and RP games more than fighting (got silly after the 2nd Street Fighter). Someone who loves 1st person shooters and fighting games above all else may be irritated more than enthralled. Then again I probably couldn't count all the hours I have wasted playing Bond in the dorm rooms!

Your decision, not mine but I provided my inputs ...make up your own mind.

Game of the year(should have been) (Rating: 5.00)
Review : This game, when I had the pleasure to play it, was one of the greatest RPG's ever. I am what you may call an RPG freak... but I'm not all weird as you presume. Anywho, with its immersive story line and sub plots, multiple endings, and excellent cast of characters, I have found that this is a game worth the price you will pay to buy it. As I do recall, Magnus is one of the greatest RPG main characters to live. Long Live Magnus. Well, take my advice and do yourself a huge favor and give this game the chance it deserved.(And never got, due to the reputation of RPG's on the Nintendo 64)

A N64 game with no equal (Rating: 5.00)
Review : This is my favorite game of all time. Period. Other games have made bold and valiant attempts, such as Final Fantasy X and Harvest Moon. But none can compare the the masterpiece that is Ogre Battle 64. I have always been a fan of the RPG, and I picked this game up with mild expectations. I hold high standards for my games, you see. And lots of games just dont cut it. They are good, but not great. And thats what I expected from Ogre Battle. But what I got was the most fufilling game adventure of my life. An army, groups in the army, 5 characters to a group, males, females, clases, upgrades of classes, beasts, dragons, undeads, angles, And thats not even including the special people such as Carth, Destin, and Meridia! Then you could go into the customizable weapons and armor. All wraped up into an easly managable batallion at your command. If this isn't gaming bliss, I don't know what is

It's awesome! (Rating: 5.00)
Review : The graphics are sweet and the storyline is kickbutt! This is one of the best games of all time!