Hello. I haven't been to PS Cave in a couple of days because I have been engrossed in PSO: Episode III and...my PC is being fixed/debugged/configured. This is a public computer. So I may not be back for some time...<br>Anyway this is what I think...<br>When I popped the PSO: Ep. III disk into my Game Cube, the first thing that I noticed...the awesome music. The title screen, the file select...and not the least of which was the beautiful piano intro on the SofDec screen. Anyway, I was amazed by this, but that's not all...<br>So, I create my avatar character (as Nei of my PSO: EP I and II file) and started as an Arkz. What amazed me was that you don't have to choose Hunters or Arkz over the other...you can play each side simultaneously. I will still be an Arkz for now, though (more strategy involved). When I explored the R-Base, I found that Sonic Team had upped the graphics...which were very good, I must add. And besides a flamboyant Chief Red, I liked the way the NPCs looked too. So, I talked to Chief Red ad my team, and then decided to try a mission out...<br><b>...woah!</b> <br>The card battle system was intricately designed, addictive, fun and tactically pleasing. Though I couldn't edit my deck too much from the start, I still found it enjoyable. What's more, I was suprised to find that not only was your character for avatar purposes, that it also was a Commander of all your character cards...kind of like you being the nameless tactician in Fire Emblem.<br>Speaking of characters, I found that they where full of personality, and that you can glean quite a bit of story out of them just by talking to them. So far, my favorite is Rio...I was charmed after she told me that she was going to kill me...three times! Peko is also a riot,thoug hI don't kow much about him except that he's a glutton.<br>Now, the downsides...<br>If you like playing PSO: Ep.I and II, don't get this game...you probably won't play it much at all after gettiing to know Episode III. I find Episode III much more engrossing, and a more offline friendly title too. Also, the battles are (though not boring) a little slow paced, and the attack actions aren't as fluid as Ep.I and II. Lastly, if you only like hack-and-slash ARPGs, then you won't be pleased by the turn based gameplay. Other then that...<br>So, I think I'll be playing this one for months. Get it...it rivals the old PS games (and is a close favorite for me). It is, one of the best games I have ever played!
