EverGrace
A PS2 launch RPG with dual storylines and item-based progression.
EverGrace, an action role-playing game from FromSoftware, launched on the PlayStation 2 in Japan during April 2000. It reached North America that October as a launch title, and arrived in PAL territories in January 2001 courtesy of Ubi Soft and Crave Entertainment. Critics gave it mixed reviews, applauding its use of the console's features and concept while faulting its visuals and gameplay.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- FromSoftware
- Publisher
- FromSoftware (JP)
- Agetec (NA)
- Ubi Soft, Crave Entertainment (EU)
- Director
- Yuzo Kojima
- Producer
- Masanori Takeuchi
- Programmer
- Kiwamu Takahashi
- Artist
- Junichiro Ishino
- Composer
- Kota Hoshino
- Released
- April 27, 2000 (JP)
- October 26, 2000 (NA)
- January 19, 2001 (PAL)
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Evergrace features two main characters, Darius the swordsman and Sharline the homemaker, each with distinct storylines and battle techniques. Players can switch between them at save points. The experience system relies on items and equipment rather than statistical upgrades. The Palmira Action System lets players improve physical abilities by combining specialized crystals with armaments. A bonus dungeon is named after Shadow Tower, another FromSoftware game, and the Moonlight Sword from King's Field appears.
Plot
The continent of Edinbury once held the Rieubane Empire, ruled by the magician Morpheus. Morpheus studied the Crest, markings on one's hand considered cursed, and created Palmira Armaments and a man-made AI Crest. He ordered the Empire to invade the village of Toledo to acquire more test subjects. The Empire crushed Toledo, but then the Rieubane Empire, Toledo, and the Human Research Lab suddenly disappeared, leaving the land overgrown with Billiana Trees. Hundreds of years later, four villages formed the empire of Fontraile, but this did not last.
Development
Evergrace was developed by FromSoftware and led by producer Masanori Takeuchi. The team initially planned a PS2 release but created a PS1 version, completing about 50% of its assets and all music before canceling it. Despite good quality assurance results, staff questioned moving to the new console. When the project shifted to PS2, programming, modeling, animation, textures, and soundtrack were redone from scratch. Development involved trial-and-error due to the unreleased console and lack of understanding of its power. The PS2's processor enabled facial animation, fabric and hair animation, and detailed graphics. Sharline, cut from the PS1 version, was reintroduced because the PS2 could display more polygons for a realistic female figure. The soundtrack was created by FromSoftware's in-house band FreQuency, chiefly composed by Kota Hoshino. Hoshino wanted a unique sound and was given freedom to express it. The team tried inserting the completed PS1 music into the PS2 version but found it did not fit, so the music was completely reworked. Hoshino used his own voice as the primary instrument, edited with Soundforge, and added Japanese instruments like shakuhachi and shamisen, with all percussion synthesized.
Reception
Evergrace received mixed reviews according to Metacritic. IGN praised its innovations, including full use of the DualShock controller buttons and the paper doll system where the avatar wears assigned armor. GameSpot criticized dated visuals and laggy gameplay. NextGen's Steven Frost said the game's 32-bit beginnings hurt its next-generation experience, and only die-hard RPG fans would finish it. Famitsu gave it a total of 28 out of 40. GamePro's 2 Barrel Fugue noted the character customization but suggested a rental. In Japan, the game debuted at fifth place on sales charts, selling 75,083 units, and sold 134,865 units by the end of 2000.
More in Ubisoft Games of the 2000s
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