THE LAST REMNANT Remastered
- December 6, 2018
The Last Remnant tries many admirable things, but doesn't quite nail any of them.
The Last Remnant told the story of a world filled with mysterious, ancient artefacts known only as “Remnants.” Nobody knew who created the Remnants, or for what purpose, but they drew on the staggering power they possessed for use in their everyday lives. However, the excesses of that power began to form a rift between those who ruled and those who obeyed, plunging the world into a long age of war…
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
PlayStation
Reviews
- Transcendent battle system that offers deep strategy and unique combat mechanics.
- Creative character design and a fascinating world filled with rich characters.
- Enhanced visuals and quality of life improvements make it the best version available.
- Terrible story and weak character development, making it hard to engage with the narrative.
- Graphics are not up to current-gen standards, with some animations feeling outdated.
- Steep learning curve and confusing mechanics can frustrate players, especially newcomers.
- story8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it weak and lacking in character development, while others appreciate its interesting narrative and rich world. Many note that the plot takes time to engage players, and while some enjoy the unique twists on the JRPG formula, others criticize the convoluted mechanics and the need for excessive grinding. Overall, the story is seen as a hit-or-miss experience, depending on player investment and expectations.
“Interesting story, fascinating world filled with rich characters, shakes up JRPG formula in a good way.”
“Updated graphics, great story, amazing characters.”
“Those that stick with it long enough, and put in the unusually big effort required to truly grasp all its ins and outs, will find a good JRPG story a few hours in, just one with hit and miss production values.”
“A lack of player agency in battles and progression, weak story, setting, and characters, requires an obscene amount of grinding.”
“Side quests feel long, lots of random characters, and the main cast could be more developed.”
“Its lackluster plot and complex combat system might turn others away.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some users noting that they do not meet current-gen standards, while others appreciate the updated visuals and enhancements in the remastered version. The remastered edition is praised for its improved graphics and quality of life features, making it a strong contender among console versions. Overall, the graphical quality varies significantly depending on the version and platform.
“The Last Remnant Remastered on the Switch stands as one of the best versions available, as the enhanced visuals and quality of life improvements are now offered alongside the ability to play on the go.”
“Updated graphics, great story, amazing characters.”
“Terrible story, graphics still not up to current-gen standards.”
“The Last Remnant Remastered takes all of the PC enhancements and balance changes that were never previously available on console and adds in a few graphical filters to appeal to another generation of console players.”
“If you can get past the hokey tutorials and confusing mechanics, the Last Remnant Remastered on the Switch stands as one of (if not the) best versions available, as the enhanced visuals and quality of life improvements are now offered alongside the ability to play on the go.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "The Last Remnant Remastered" offers a satisfying experience, particularly for players who can navigate its initially confusing mechanics and tutorials. The dynamic battle system and team-building strategies provide engaging tactical depth, enhanced by improved visuals and quality of life features in the Switch version, making it one of the best iterations of the game. However, the plot may take time to captivate players, and the hidden stat growth can be a barrier for some.
“Regardless, the various gameplay systems are all satisfying to understand, and the results of a well-built team that employs sound tactics are immeasurably fun to experience.”
“In its first incarnations, The Last Remnant was already a JRPG with a plot that takes some time to hook the player in, and a dynamic battle system marred by obscure mechanics and a completely concealed stat growth logic.”
“If you can get past the hokey tutorials and confusing mechanics, The Last Remnant Remastered on the Switch stands as one of (if not the) best versions available, as the enhanced visuals and quality of life improvements are now offered alongside the ability to play on the go.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its quality, with reviewers highlighting a great soundtrack that complements the unique and ambitious combat system. Overall, the soundtrack enhances the immersive experience, adding to the game's extensive content.
“The soundtrack is great and really enhances the overall experience.”
“The music is ambitious and adds a ton of depth to the gameplay.”
“The soundtrack is not only good but also complements the unique and intense combat system.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the reviews highlight a unique and intense combat system, creative character design, and a great soundtrack, they do not provide specific insights into character development. Overall, the focus seems to be more on gameplay mechanics and aesthetics rather than the evolution or depth of the characters themselves.
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players criticize the grinding aspect for its excessive demands, noting that it leads to a lack of agency in battles and progression, compounded by a weak story, setting, and character development.
“A lack of player agency in battles and progression, weak story, setting, and characters, requires an obscene amount of grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“Progression is heavily reliant on grinding, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and narrative experience.”
Critic Reviews
The Last Remnant Remastered Review
The Last Remnant Remastered is not for the risk averse. It features a lot of design decisions, and punishes anyone who dares to ignore them. There's also a massive learning curve to account for, as the intricacies of battle will require serious effort to master. Even this critic, who has logged almost 200 hours between all three versions, still has a lot to learn. Regardless, the various gameplay systems are all satisfying to understand, and the results of a well built team that employs sound tactics are immeasurably fun to experience. What else is there to say about this game? It's a classic.
80%The Last Remnant Remastered Review
The Last Remnant Remastered is the sort of game that we wish we could recommend more highly. Though it has plenty of interesting ideas, like the Union battle system and the SaGa-esque character progression, these are all so mired in obscurity and confusion that their impact is considerably lessened or nullified outright. The Last Remnant Remastered is the best ‘bad’ RPG out there; it’s a game that undeniably has some excellent qualities, but it can never manage to get out of its own way. If you can get past the hokey tutorials and confusing mechanics, The Last Remnant Remastered on the Switch stands as one of (if not the) best versions available, as the enhanced visuals and quality of life improvements are now offered alongside the ability to play on the go. We’d give this one a very light recommendation; if you’re an RPG nut and you have the mettle to get through the more frustrating entries of the genre, this is the game for you. If not, we’d recommend you take a pass.
50%Quantity over quality — The Last Remnant Remastered review
The Last Remnant is an interesting experiment in expanding the traditional turn-based battle system, but there are enough annoyances in that system and weaknesses in its setting and characters to keep this from reaching the heights it’s clearly reaching for.
45%
