An Unreal Hero: MagnaCarta 2 Review

I was recently extolling the virtues of the Japanese role-playing games to an acquaintance who appreciated more action-oriented diversions. He explained that while he had neither issues with androgynous characters design nor a derivative plotline, combat handled through a menu system left him disinterested. “More RPG’s should be like the Legend of Zelda [series]”, he stated, “those games would have never been as successful if Link just picked different commands.”

Had this conversation occurred before the release of MagnaCarta 2, I would have had been able to make a convincing contention. The recently released 360 RPG forgoes many of the archetypal RPG tropes- from the elimination of turn-based combat, to an insistence on arduous level-grinding. Yes, MagnaCarta 2 dexterously straddles the space between traditional JRPG, and it’s more western equivalent- games like Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and Champions of Norath.

Considering the game’s Korean origins, MagnaCarta 2’s plotline of a rift between Northern and Southern forces seems overtly figurative. As each faction obstinately clings to their beliefs of moral supremacy, we are introduced to Juto, an amnesiac young man from the South. He is the archetypical reluctant hero, unable to pick up a proper sword until his homestead is devastated, and his sister-like mentors are attacked. While MagnaCarta 2’s plotline nearly treads into soap opera-like territories, with characteristic twists common to the genre, the title’s character development is to be commended.

MagnaCarta 2’s mission system allows for a series of requisite and optional quests in specific areas of the map, until another piece of the game world opens, typically via a boss encounter. Players are allowed to acquire multiple simultaneous missions, which saves a lot of the backtracking this is customary of the RPG genre. Although the game world isn’t particularly vast, gamers are given both a map of the immediate surrounds, and a more detailed view with a press of the back button.

Abstaining from the random boss encounter that frequency occurs within many RPG’s, MagnaCarta 2 often gives players the option of vanquishing an environment’s enemies, or even walking right past the foes. By default, the player’s team is set to a hurried pace; a press of the left trigger readies weapon and slows the party’s walking speed. Without an unnecessary transitions or load-time pauses, gamers may then attack opponents with real-time strikes. Players accustomed to mindless button-mashing will quickly discover MagnaCarta 2’s battle system holds furtive depth- simply hammering on an attack button will cause protagonists to overheat, and leave them defenseless. The title also incorporates a compelling chain mechanic which allows players to cycle through party members just as their stamina is about to deplete, initiating a devastating combo attacks. However, players that miscalculate their attack, can leave two characters vulnerable, putting the gamer at immense risk. Overall, combat is consistently immersive, and capably executed; the sporadic A.I. subordinate who inexplicably gets obscured behind an obstacle is the mode’s only drawback.

By utilizing the Unreal 3 engine, MagnaCarta 2’s visuals compare to the now-gen sumptuousness of titles like Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon. Character models are impeccably rendered, while the title’s enemies are some of the most imaginative beasts seen in the genre. While the title’s voice acting is certainly agreeable, some lines suffer from a lack of continuity- volume and tone can change noticeably during conversations.

Players fatigued from the similitude of role-playing games, are highly encouraged to seek out MagnaCarta 2. With a distinctive battle system, opulent visuals, and a lengthy quest duration, the title may have the ability to persuade disenfranchised players that the RPG market isn’t entirely stagnant. Like the emblematic protagonist common to the genre, MagnaCarta 2 might be the unlikely hero who emerges as a triumphant liberator.

Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

310 Comments

  1. You guys are PLAY got it, the rest of the world didn’t. Good job.

    I bought this on release day, not expecting much. Man, what a great game. The combat system is incredible.

  2. Hmm, I’ll have to look into this one some more. I never really heard any buzz on it.

  3. I heard this comes on multiple disks? How many are there? You don’t have to change disk often do you?

  4. Great review. So much better than the 6.8 IGN bashfest.

    Erik Brudvig shouldn’t be reviewing Tijuana toilet stalls.

  5. Two disks, you play through one part of the game, and then switch to the other disk. Thankfully, there’s no swapping.

  6. Im waiting on this game. It will drop in price. It’s not like people are rushing out over this one.

  7. This is one of the better reviews I have read for the game. You don’t seemed tired of JRPGs.

  8. Sorry, but most sites are calling this game a bore. Even though you liked it, I’m going to have to go with the majority here. I’ll rent it to make sure, but I think you’re hyping this one too much.

  9. LOL!

    He’s the IGN review. I think the poster meant to say he SHOULD be reviewing TJ toilets.

  10. My main problem is Namco selling DLC for the game. Why do they always nickel and dime gamers?

  11. You guys love RPGs way too much. I have to agree they are boring. Even with realtime combat.

    I never even liked Zelda that much.

  12. Sometimes it seems that western consoles are lucky to get JRPGs. You’d think the PS3 would have more RPGs by now, at least.

  13. Someone post a good deal online and this will be mine. As a JRPG fan, this seems really cool.

  14. I wouldn’t consider Zelda a true RPG. There’s no leveling up, and the combat is all action/puzzle.

  15. I don’t understand why reviewers don’t like this game? It deserves at least a 7. Anyone who likes Asian RPGs will like this. I know I would much rather play this than Fallout 3.

  16. i like just about any RPG
    i think alot of these should and deserve a betta ratin man i mean come on let the RPG live.

  17. I love me some eastern RPGs, and I’ve been sleeping on this one. Time to take care of that.

  18. Anyone who uses the term similitude in a review is either too damn smart or a little bit carzy.

  19. Seems like this game din’t get the recognition it deserved. Damm you critics and you’re hatred for JRPGs!

  20. Ok, who took the girls with the huge cans off the American release? Bring me their head!

  21. I hardly knew anything about this game, but after reading this I really want to check it out! 😀

  22. The Art direction alone makes it a worthwhile buy…that’s how they got me with the original MC.

  23. I’ve been interested in this since we got it in stock at work but I’m pretty sure we still have that one copy. Oddly the price hasn’t been going down so maybe it’s selling better in other areas.

  24. This has been one of the games that has caught my eye recently. I enjoyed the original and would like to try out this one.

  25. This looks awesome, why have I never heard of this game before today? At least I found about it now.

  26. Hm, I guess I may have to check this game out. I had tried the demo on the XBox Magazine disc and I hadn’t been impressed at all (possibly because the demo was entirely in Japanese, so I had no idea what was going on! I don’t know what they were thinking even including it on the disc). This review makes it sound a lot more interesting, though.

  27. underrated game of the year!!!..I loved this game and got all 1240 achievements in it and wish there was more DLC :/…IMO better game than Lost odyssey :X.

  28. Its been a while since I’ve played an rpg(mainly due to combat schemes). This one looks like it’d be worth the time put into it.

  29. I was really interested in this RPG, yet the fact that its hard to find in any gamestores near me gets me kinda mad. and this reveiw just makes me want to buy it even more. good job on the review (Y)

  30. I’m actually just about to start playing MC2 for a gaming club I’m in, now I’m definitely looking forward to it more.

  31. Very nice review–honestly better than many of the reviews published for this game by the major publications.

  32. 2nded. I know this isn’t the largest game site on the web, but your reviews are very well done!

  33. Nice review, I have been trying to get into another RPG for a bit here but haven’t come across anything of interest. Maybe this will do it for me.

  34. I really appreciate MC2. It really makes investing so much time feel so worth it. I truly enjoy the experience and hope Softmax receives due praise for this game.

  35. Battle system looks interesting, I’ll have to give this a play sometime.

    BTW, am I the only one who finds it annoying that this is Magna Carta [i]2[/i] despite being the third Magna Carta game?

  36. Been debating on getting this for a while. The screenshots remind me of Lost Odyssey. Nice review! Thanks!

  37. I was really thinking of playing Tales of Vesperia next, but I might have to go for Magna Carta 2 now. It looks a lot better than ToV.

  38. Hmm, I didn’t care for Magna Carta 1 much, but this one looks a lot more interesting. I may have to pick it up.

  39. Nice review! If it can hold it’s own when you put it next to awesome games such as LO and Blue Dragon then I may have dropped the ball on not picking this up sooner. If I don’t win this I’ll definitely be grabbing myself a copy.

  40. I hadn’t really heard much about this game but now I’m quite intrigued. Nice review! I’m a huge RPG fan so I’ll have to check it out now.

  41. I would have probably just passed this title over, but now I’m intrested. One day somebody needs to make a good RPG with co-op ovr Live for the party members.

  42. Very nice review, I was really hesitant on this because I didn’t really care for Magna Carta 1, but I may have to give it a try now.

  43. Haven’t had a chance to play this game, but I’m always up for more great RPGs over here! Great review!

  44. This looks promising. If only I had enough money to get all the good games that have come out.

  45. I got the game about a week ago, and I have to tell you guys, it’s one of the best 360 RPGS out there. At least as good, if not better than Blue Dragon.

  46. I’ve been hearing a lot about this game recently, and it sounds great! If I don’t win this, I’ll definitely have to buy it myself.

  47. Wow, from the comments this looks like it has a very strong following. Might have to check it out.

  48. Interesting take on this game. It’s nice to see Eastern RPGs making an effort to evolve their gameplay mechanics.

  49. I am surprised about the positive review. I thought this game would be another mediocre cookie cutter jrpg, but now I’ll have to check it out when there’s a price drop.

  50. Awesome review, never played the first one but heard its not that good but magna carta 2 sounds really fun. Great review

  51. It looks like it might be interesting. You use too many adjectives and for lack of a better word, “fancy words” in your review. A simpler style would convey your message better.

  52. I enjoyed the first game, and it seems the sequel looks to be an improvement over the flaws of the first.

  53. I actually was able to play Magna Carta 2 at a friends house and got quite far in the game. I enjoy these types of JRPG’s quite well. Even though one wierd part was Celestine, and Argo and their relationship. One lives up to 30 years tops, while the other lives up to 300 years, and is already 60. He’s twice the age of her.

  54. Im def. digging the art style for this game. I’ve heard its pretty solid too from various sources. My girlfriend is also going berserk about this game haha.

  55. This type of RPG isn’t usually my cup of tea, but your review has definitely piqued my interest.

  56. I picked the game up but not sure when I will get to it but, this review is encouraging.

  57. I love RPGs, and I’ve heard some good things about this one. It seems a little niche, but I’m always up for something new.

  58. Was interested in picking up the first one, but never did. Glad they made a 2nd one it sounds interesting.

  59. One of the year’s better RPGs. I loved nearly every minute of it, and the art style was amazing.

  60. Really good review. I had doubts, but I really want this game now. I want to tell all my friends about it. To bad I can’t afford it right now..

  61. gameplay looks pretty good. Hoping there is a little more free movement then in Lost odyssey though.

  62. My friend has this and said it was awesome. I want to play it, but I have too many game to play this holiday season… Maybe next year lol

  63. I’ve been interested in this game for quite some time. It’s nice to read some different reviews!

  64. I remember playing the first one, that was pretty bad. This one looks to be a huge improvement.

  65. I’m looking forward to trying this one out. A friend of mine said the first sucked, but this one’s infinitely better. Good review!

  66. Man I hope I can win this it would be amazing. Thank you guys soo much for being kind enough to give this one away.

  67. Great review. I find this game to be incredibly underrated. I’m on the second disc right now, but the brisk pace is what sets this apart from all the other JRPGs that are sitting on my shelf. It’s not groundbreaking, but it has its strengths. Perhaps most importantly, I don’t ever feel tired of playing it.

  68. Nice review, I really wanted this game since I played the first one back in the day on PS2 but the lack luster reviews out scared me away from the game XD

  69. Glad to see this is getting some love! I finished it about a week ago. One of the best next-gen RPGs around.

  70. Definitely been having a drought of 360 games, especially JRPG’s after finishing Last Remnant. Will definitely pick this one up sometime in the near future.

  71. Thanks for the review. I saw this in the glass case, and without reading about the game passed it by. Now it sounds like I would really like MC2.

  72. I couldn’t figure out if the main characters friend was a man or woman for the first 30 minutes of the first game >_>

  73. Great, informative review. I had a passing interest in the game, but now I am definitely intrigued by it. 🙂

  74. I’m currently playing this now, and I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised. Leaps and bounds ahead of MC1.

    I’m not finished yet, but so far I’m in agreement with the review. The story started off a little slow, but it picked up pretty quickly. Battles are fun as well.

    I don’t think you mentioned the game’s soundtrack though. Which in my opinion is very good. It fits well with the environments, and helps set the atmosphere.

    It’s a shame this game seems to be getting ignored. The reviews from the big sites don’t help much either(1up’s is particularly bad. Did the guy even play it?).

    Sorry for the long-winded post. All in all though, Magna Carta 2 is not the best game out there. It is however a solid RPG worth a play.

  75. Thanks for the review.

    Having played the first game, and somewhat enjoying it, I wondered about this sequel. Good to have a positive review to help when I get a chance to look for this game.

  76. Planning to get this, after a price drop though. I’ve never played the first one (and apparently I should be glad I haven’t), but I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about the sequel.

  77. Fantastic review, I’m looking forward to this game! I need a new good rpg on this system which is lacking sadly!

  78. Thanks for the right up. I had been tempted to pick this up. Now I will take the plunge and pick it up. Thanks.

  79. This game looks good… I haven’t heard too much about it and now I will probably pick it up.

  80. I actually kind of overlooked this game because the original left a bitter taste in my mouth, but since this one looks radically different (in a good way…especially combat) I think I should give it a shot.

  81. I was a big fan of the original on the PS2 and I am so happy they decided to bring the sequel over.

    Thank you for the review! I’m glad this one looks to be better than the first.

  82. Thanks for the review, this is one I’m sitting on the fence about… I hope I win so the decision is made for me 🙂

  83. Great Review of the game. Gave me more hopes on acquiring it someday but not now. Since price is still to high. Hope to win a copy.

  84. Nice review, but it could have been better if you had some more details on the game and overall pros and cons.

  85. Great review. Need to pick up MC one and work my way to this. Never found a copy with all the bells and whistles, but I guess I’ll have to hunt again.

  86. well,
    I played the frist one
    it was ok, but I think the bugs they have in there was horrible

    2nd one seems to be ok
    I like it its good game

  87. Nice to read a pretty in depth review of the game as I’ve been wondering about it since release. I sometime like a little more action in my RPG and will check it out.

  88. I have to say that I am a fan of this series and it’s incredible art stylings and that I have been looking forward to a review of it for awhile. I like the chain mechanic mentioned by you as well as that left trigger’s list of functions.
    Sounds like I have some fun controls to look forward to in addition to art.
    Thanks for such an in depth review.

  89. Wow this game looks great this wil be definitely something I will rent or buy. I wonder if they will remake the first MagnaCarta That was for the Pc.

  90. Awesome game, Im glad that they decided to bring the title to the 360. Hopefully I can pick up the game soon and get into it myself.

  91. Really heard great stuff about this game.

    i wish i could grab it but it way have to wait since i have a games i need to play.

  92. Oh, I had read and forgotten about Magna Carta 1 a long time ago, so this review reminded me. I guess I’ll go check it out, thanks!

  93. Don’t get me wrong though,LO was a great game.But I really liked Magna carta 2 better for some reason.

  94. Been hearing good things ’bout this game so far.

    Great review, like, really. Love the comparisons to help…visualize, I suppose you could say, how the game is. Very convenient, in my opinion.

    Hah, I’d love to get my hands on a copy of this.

  95. The original Magna Carta looked pretty good, and the 2nd one looks even better. Its nice to have more JRPGs on the 360.

  96. This really makes me want to hop into an RPG (specifically this one if I owned it). I haven’t for a long time (unless you include Fallout 3) because I’m scared of the commitment. I know I won’t want to do anything else until I’m completely finished with it.

  97. This game looks so cool. I have MC1 for my PS2 and LOVED it so I am interested to see first hand where they took this one

  98. Nice review, I’ve been interested in this game for awhile. I have a friend who is very big into JRPG’s, so he’s told me quite a bit about it, but his reviews on them are a bit more biased, since he practically only plays JRPG’s (he will buy it and play it no matter how it is).

    Glad to see some of the selling-points he gave me seem to match up to your review. I may have to pick this up eventually, or at the least, Gamefly it.

  99. Nice review, sounds pretty interesting. I’ve heard a lot about this game, but never really looked into it until now.

  100. I’m glad the men look more like men in this game. Magnacarta 1 was a little confusing for my sexuality… 😉

  101. Very good review. This game looks sick, I would already have it, but stuck on dragon age, modern warfare 2 and left 4 dead 2. Pick up soon!

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