I have to say waiting for this game was murder, my girlfriend preordered it for me because well this may seem odd to some of you but we met in RO, we now live together and I plan on proposing to her, anyways while the story line as said in the first is base RPG fluff, the game itself retains most of the RO feel from the enemies, to the job classes, the added dark knight and shaman classes gives it a broader feel and Sierra the heroine is a shaman so you get to see early the power the class boasts, I gotta say for me I love the chalenge of collecting the cards and won't leave a zone till I've gotten the cards from all the monsters in it same for a dungeon. I love the feel of the game and I must say that despite how repetetive, the music mixes in quite well for the stuations, I especially like the powerfull beat of the boss battles. All in all if you want a base RPG you'll not be dissapointed and at the same time this would be a wonderfull addition to any Ragnarok fan's library.

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Most of the bad reviews you read are from people who have played the PC version of Ragnarok. Obviously the online version isn't the same as the hand-held version.

I have never played the online version and I really like this game. It is a good strong RPG.

Bad

* As others have said the story is a linear but many RPGs are.

* As with all RPGs it has a lot of grind.

* The Taekwon Master class is weak and confusing. It could have been an interesting standout from other RPGs.

Good

* A lot of varied classes e.g. Merchant/Blacksmith, Archer/Hunter, Taekwon kid/Taekwon Master.

* Interesting level system. You have a character level and a separate class level.

* Good use of the touchscreen controls.

* Despite what some people have said there is a fast travel system. You just have to unlock it.

Overall this is a really good game. They tried a few classes that didn't work but at least they tried. One of my common complaints with DS games is the controls but this game does it really well. As I mentioned several other reviewers have complained about the lack of a fast-travel system even though there is one.

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Okay, I just want to say that I have been waiting to play this game for months and months. I used to play the MMORPG version of this particular game; it was my drug of choice. I was addicted to the combat system in addition to the oh, so adorable graphics. And while it has been many years since I've played the MMORPG version (I quit cold turkey), I often found myself missing it but never able to play it due to its addicting qualities.

The DS version just arrived in the mail today. I played it for several hours today, and so far, here are my impressions:

The game has a storyline like your regular linear RPG. I haven't gotten too far in the story as of yet, but it seems to me that as far as linear RPGs go, this story is mostly fluff. So far, I've had to do an awful lot of running back and forth over a small area. You can't skip the cut scenes, which are lengthy and can get irritating if you're in it more for the nostalgia of the MMORPG version. If you're playing this simply for the story rather than the RO feel, you'll find that it is a fairly easy and relaxing game and a very simplistic, kind of cliche storyline.

The enemy sprites take me back; they're all the same and make the same noises. Plus an awful lot of the music is the same as in the online version, although the game seems to recycle the same tracks over and over again, making me long for the music variety of the online version (I understand that music files take up a decent amount of memory so they can't use 'em all). Also, the combat system is as fun as ever, and using a stylus to perform certain attacks adds an extra facet to an already amusing system. Because the game is 100% stylus driven, movement is similar on the DS as it was on the PC. You can use the R button to bring up a memo screen, though.

You have job classes and job levels as you do in the PC version. You start out as a novice and must work your way up to at least level 10 in order to switch to a new job. You don't have to do any sort of quests before changing your job; you just tell them you want to change it at the guild and it's done instantly. You can also switch your jobs if you like, but your base level is reduced by half when you do so. Oh, and don't expect to see any transcendent or extended job classes in this game. From what I've read from others who played the game when it first came out in Japan, you will see only the first job classes and 2-1 job classes in this game. Kinda sad. However, you WILL gain access to two brand new job classes, which are Shaman and Dark Knight.

To me it seems like it's way easier to level up in this game. I'm already at level 26 and I've only been playing for three hours. To me, this is a good thing, since I'm the type who'd waste days level grinding in order to earn one level. Also, it seems like you'll never do your adventuring solo. You'll always have party members, which makes the fighting a lot easier. Oh yeah, and the monsters drop cards fairly frequently! If you have a slotted weapon you can mount it without really having to hm and haw over the possibility of wasting it, since you can just kill a bunch of whatever monster you want and probably get the same card again. In three hours, I've earned cards from almost every enemy I've encountered.

Out in the field and inside of dungeons, you need to locate a map in order to see an overview of the area in your top screen. MANY of the maps are exactly the same as those seen in the online version, which was very refreshing to me. Unfortunately, you don't get as much freedom to explore. The game is still quite linear, so if the story doesn't allow it, you can't wander where you're not allowed to. Despite many of the map and dungeon similarities, don't expect to see a lot of the dungeons you may be familiar with in the online verson; the game has only included a small few. You also don't get to walk around in Prontera or any other city, so don't be fooled by any cut scenes. You get around the city through a menu rather than exploration. Another disappointment, since exploration was somethign I greatly enjoyed in the online version.

I'm not too impressed with zoom feature on this game. You only get to see the sprites in crisp detail if you're zoomed in all the way, but if you do that, you don't get a clear picture of your surroundings at all. Plus, one problem with this game on the DS is that the DS has such a very small screen; ifyou happen to become a magician class, it's difficult to maintain a safe distance while casting spells. Zoom all the way out and the sprites look pretty crappy. Unlike the PC version, you can't orient your surroundings at all. The perspective in the DS version is fixed.

If you're expecting to play online with tons of other players, you're going to be disappointed (I purhased this game because it WASN'T an MMORPG; the massively multi-player aspect was what had me addicted in the first place). You can, however, connect wirelessly with up to two other players in a randomly generated dungeon that has fifty levels. It seems like you can only unlock this dungeon after playing the game for a while.

Some rarer drops from monsters include headgear!! I happened upon a poring hat and some bunny ears. Like in the online version, you can wear them around and see them on your avatar. One downside to this game is that you can't customize your character's hair or sex or anything like that until you go to the multi-player dungeon. :\

So far, my feelings are mixed, but altogether they are positive. It is a fun game and far more casual than the online version in terms of difficulty, but I worry a little that it was made as a lure to get people addicted to the online version. ;) I hope they'll eventually make another RDS that feels more like the original but without the addicting online play. (But we know that won't make any money!)

I'll be making more edits to this review once I've played the game some more and noticed more things.

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My review is based on my experience with offline RPGs. A lot of what I have to say is based on my experiences with other RPGs. I want to point out that while I do own a DS, I don't own it to deal with touch screen gimmicks. There are some touch games that are quite fun - but it has to be a fine balance. Too much of anything isn't a good thing.

My primary issue with Ragnarok DS is the controls. Period. The game is exclusively touch screen except for some occasional moving around with the D-pad. This is absolutely unacceptable. Opening the menu = touch screen. Setting tactics = touch screen. Attacking enemies = touch screen. It feels like they were trying as hard as possible to emphasize how gimmicky the touch controls really are, and in my humble opinion they just don't fit in an action RPG. The best way I can describe it: Imagine if you were playing Secret of Mana with a touchscreen interface. It's almost the same thing. There's no real precision to your attacks, and it left me wanting a better control option, even if not the primary option.

My secondary issue with Ragnarok DS is the way the game plays out. The beginning of the game is essentially a game engine cutscene full of text to scroll past. This went on for what must have been 10-15 minutes; of course, since I can't advance text with any buttons and have to use the touch screen, you can imagine how uncomfortable this was. I don't mind text-centric games, but at least give me the button so can zip past stuff one-handed. Also, the way the dialogue is presented, the main character (Ales) is explaining stuff to you, but it's masked in a conversation between him and a girl who just acts dumb while Ales talks. It's almost silly to think that they did this intentionally to try and help you understand how the game plays out and how to attack enemies when they could have just done a non-conversational piece in the menu (which of course requires touch screen to get to).

Finally, the sprite design is quite horrible, and uninspired. Many other games on the DS have set the standard for graphics, and this one looks like a launch title. I don't expect it to be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but at least put some effort into it. Additionally, there is no exploration, no free world, not even any town navigation. It's point and click instead - which is quite infuriating having played games like Dragon Quest that have done 10 times the amount of work on this, even on the DS versions. Some games point and click is acceptable, because that's the intent of the game, but this game feels like a patchwork quilt of RPG concepts and it doesn't work well together at all.

SO what does it do right? Honestly...the music. I do enjoy the various music tracks in the game, they don't sound like your usual MIDI arrangements. They're not epic or anything, but they're appropriate for the area you're in. I've heard some terrible tracks in games, but this one had some time put into it. I will say that they're standard fare for a JRPG, so if you don't care for that, pass this one up.

Do I recommend it? Maybe if you have nothing better to play and are itching for a DS RPG. If you love the touch screen interface gimmick and games that use that exclusively this is the game for you. If you love scrolling past unskippable text this game will do you just fine. If you're like me, and expect something more, skip it.

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I guess I should start by saying I solely bought this because I used to play the online version and heard that you could some how sync this game up to the online version (which isn't true - unless I am completely stupid and missed how to do it in the instruction manual).

I guess I will start by saying that I do like this game, it's fun and actually a lot easier then the orginal online game. I have about 15 hours into it and I am already more leveled up and better equipped then my online character that took about 30-40 hours to get it to that point.

I have read reviews where they say that the story isn't that great. I think it is. It's something that interests me and makes me wanna know more. I wouldn't say that I have come to care for the characters like you would in other games. the story line is fun, and the way that it's carried out has made me smile a few times.

Gameplay? When I heard that this game is completely touch pad controlled, I was a little put off. I hate games that are only touch screen. This game is actually okay that way. The controls aren't that complex. It isn't like it's asking you to draw some complex shape (that you have to be 100% perfect at drawing) to complete a spell. You click a command box (out of your shortcut menu) and just make some simple shape and your set. The only thing is that if you wanna cast a spell more then once, you have to press the command button - make the shape - press the button again - make the shape again. Rinse and repeat for as many times as you want to cast the spell.

This is my major problem with the game. In the online version you could just goto any town and use the warp system to get to another town and or dungen. Not this game. Right now I am in the middle of trying to complete a bunch of quests from one perticular town, and you are going to have to goto other towns to complete the quests. To get to the towns you have maps you have to walk through to get to town (I am sure you are thinking duh) but some of these maps are LONG. And here I am walking back and forth, just to be told to go to another town that is even more long maps away. My level is so high, that the monsters that I encounter on the way don't even help me level up anymore. I don't even need the items from them because I have countless quanties of the cards and or items. So basically I am just walking, and walking, just to get to a town to talk to someone for 2 mins just to turn around and walk back all that way. :( I think that once you get to a town and "discover" it, you should be able to warp there from another town. I am getting kinda bored walking all the time.

Just like the online game, you can set your stats and skills how you want. You just have no say over how your main character looks. I guess that doesn't matter, but I would have at least had the option Boy/Girl. But once again... this doesn't really matter.

There is a lot to do in this game honestly. I just got to the point where I have my own guild and everyone I talk to in the game has something they want me to do. Even the shop owners (if you buy a lot at their stores then they will ask you to help them with a quest). I am someone that has to try to get everything I can done before I move on with the story line, and oh boy is there a lot. I actually have to write down where I have encountered ppl that have a quest for me just so I can go back and complete it. That little meno pad they give you isn't enough for all that.

Right about now that is all I can think of saying. I will add more as I keep playing the game.

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I shall preface this with the fact that I have not yet finished the game, but I'm very close.

The game controls, graphics and music are good. The music is a direct draw from the MMORPG music, so when you're in Prontera and the Culverts you will get to listen to the real music. The downside is that they don't use all the music or even a good portion of it, so in all the dungeons you will hear the same music. The sounds are the same as the MMORPG.

There are cards in the game and most of the monsters have the same names as they do in the MMORPG. The cards, if I'm recalling correctly, give you the same stat boosts (or a majority of them do) as in game, and even use the same art!

You change classes at level 30 at the lowest, your party members can go past 30, I cannot say for myself if your main character can or not since I changed directly at 30.

The touch screen controls are pretty easy to use. No complaints there.

Biggest complaints? The story is BLAND. Somewhere in the beginning it's like they forgot what they were doing or where they were going with this game. Later at some point they remember "Oh hey, we need an ending! Well uhh, how about this and this happens, and then this? Ok, sold!" The characters have very poor personalities. Stoic, boring main character. Shy, quiet other character. Smart, logical character. Then some comedic relief annoying characters.

Another complaint is some of the maps. Mjolnir and the dungeon right past the Mjolnir maps (coal mines?) suck to navigate.

And, one minor complaint which may not be seen as a complaint by others - the overwhelming amount of gear is... overwhelming! Yikes. It's on par with in-game equipment and gear, that's for sure, but digging through your equipment bags and trying to decide who gets what sucks. It would have been nice if they had lowered your choices a little, or had better help menus and even a larger bag. As a Ragnarok Online MMORPG veteran, even some of this still goes over my head and it's not clear if the mechanics are the same as in the MMORPG (I would expect not, but who knows?)

Oh well, the side quests are interesting at least. I would not say fun, but interesting. I am very disappointed with this game. It had so much promise. I would not buy this game again if I could go back and remake the decision, but because I am such a huge Ragnarok Online fan, I am somewhat happy that it made its way to the DS.

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Ragnarok DS is best for those familiar with the MMORPG. Its charms are fit for those nostalgic of the game, and don't mind the control and skill changes. While I found the game enjoyable, I know for a fact it is not the best game around, or even very impressive. The only multiplayer is a tower, and as soon as you beat that, it's like, why bother playing?

Storylinewise, it is very cliche. You can't relate to the main character since the game has predetermined this character, you simply control him. The partymates you have with you are also rather cliche; one lost their memory, another is a lazy but greedy person, another is the "smart one" and the other one is brave but has one weakness to make him a chicken.

The leveling is a tough grind, so you are either forced to leave your ds on at a certain point in the game and let your party members level you or play the special tower so often you'll get sick of it.

The mechanics are actually pretty decent. It's fun to play with the different classes and skills, and otherwise making your character stronger, just like the MMORPG. However, this gets annoying after awhile when your best leveling spots are limited and get boring.

The quests you get can be interesting or otherwise keep you playing after you beat the game, since there is so many of them. That might only be true if you enjoy bettering your character with items and experience, or are a completionist. It's a long journey to complete all the quests however, since not only must you become every class once (and in some cases more than once), you must create more party members, get them to a certain level, and remember to go back to their class area twice.

Overall, the game isn't horrible, but definitely not for a casual RPG player. I bought it for the nostalgic value of Ragnarok Online, and satisfied with that, but not quite satisfied in the RPG qualities of the game.

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First off: I have played Ragnarok Online in the past and found it quite enjoyable. Ragnarok DS, however, is sorely disappointing. The story line is EXTREMELY linear and bland. The player has little to no choice in the progression of the story. It also features numerous lengthy cutscenes with terrible dialogue that cannot be skipped over or hurried through. This is in part because of the little emotes that appear constantly over the characters' heads throughout the dialogues. Each one takes about 5 seconds to execute, and while they are adorable and nostalgic in a way, the developers decided to use an upwards of 20 per cutscene, and they cannot be hurried along. (There are a ton of terrible and unnecessary cutscenes throughout the game.)

Also, the characters are poorly developed and I felt little to no sympathy or connection with them. As they went through their boring dialogues, all I could think was, "Ok... who actually cares?" I'm certain a six year old could have come up with a better plot. The characters and story line came straight from the cookie cutter. The only reason I gave this game any stars at all was for my happy memories of Ragnarok Online, which I was vaguely reminded of. The Ragnarok graphics, battle and leveling system, and loot system are there... but if you're looking for the freedom and fun of the online version, don't buy this game. :(

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So when I saw this in the store I was so excited I didn't even mind the large fee. Though, I was unpleasantly surprised by the fact you have no ability to change your characters appearance of gender ( one of my favorite parts of the game). Story line is irritating in the least, it being forced and unable to be skipped.

I geuss I should have done more research before getting so excited, but they also did not write on the box that you play only as the boy adventurer and the plot is terribly linear.

If you are playing just for a quick dose of RO when you're not at the computer, then this is probably a decent game, OR if you've never played it and enjoy linear story lines and VERY cute art work, then you'll love it.

I was very disappointed by it though. :(

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As an avid RPG gamer I was automatically attracted to Ragnarok. My total play time was about 10 minutes before I took it out of my DS and put it up for sale. The sprites look good but the gameplay is amazingly dull and if characters could get any more boring I'm sure they would in this game.

Be safe and just play the MMO. There are a lot of way better RPGs you can spend your money on than this one.

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