The most innovative game of the last few years, the best storyline I can remember, and by far the best game on the DS.
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The opening sequence of the game is stunning, confusing and engaging. It is clear from the outset that if you like a good story, one is on its way at breakneck speed.
You've died. Right? No? What is wrong with the world around you? What is the game that you're being forced to play? Who is this mysterious companion that has befriended you?
And so on...this is essentially the joy of The World Ends With You. The story is impeccably told, wonderfully scripted and dips and weaves like no other video game plot. It is unusual, unique, and based in a working urban environment, the city of Shibuya, Japan. The dead-undead underworld, paradoxes and parallel universes, the importance of fashion trends, Empedocles' the one, the few, the many theory, friendship (and the importance thereof), power politics, etc. are all explored in this deep, twisting and ingenious plot. In order to further explore the story, buy the game. This review is not a summary, just an opinion, so from here on out it will concentrate on the combat system, graphics, sound, original quirks, and mastery in the game. So let's continue;
So, the combat system. This is truly original. The system works off both screens of the DS. Two characters battle the same assortment of enemies. On the bottom, you fight using the microphone and stylus, slashing, tapping, hooking, blowing or whatever, using a series of different moves and combos to take down your foes. On the top screen, you use the directional arrows (or the abxy buttons if you're left-handed) to pull off combos and beat down the marauding enemies. And this is just a basic definition; different attacks are made possible by collecting different pins (which the combat system of the game is based around), and if you pull off enough combos you can deal devastating blows through special dual attacks. Your characters level up by winning battles, as in many role playing games, but this is not really integral to the game, it's more of a way of measuring progress.
The graphics are just insanely cool. The game has an arty feel to it, but displays the city of Shibuya and its inhabitants and other characters in terrific detail. During the battle scenes, comic-book style bashing and bamming goes on, with great effect. The game just looks damn cool, and it adds so much to the experience.
Never mind looking cool, you should HEAR this game. The music is absolutely ace, really fitting to the unique charm. Hard house beats, tweety pop tunes and semi-metal riffs make up some of the melee of insanely catchy tunes in this game. All sound in the game is flawless, again, adding to the overall effect of the game.
One of the best little quirks in the game is the use of fashion to upgrade your character. What you wear determines who you are and how you act. Different clothes and pin combinations can lead to surprising effects. The random-encounter battle system is a new improved version too, where you can pretty much choose your battles in most cases, and you only really fight when you know you have to to improve your stats, get new pins or progress in the game. There is also a nice little minigame played by battling pins against one another, which adds a little more to the game. After finishing the story, you unlock a cool extra level too, with its own eccentricities and new bonus bits.
The game mastery is unbelievable. This is the DS used to its absolute best effect. The dual screen combat system is as close to perfect as you could possibly expect. The varied attacks, enemies and areas are vast and wonderfully executed.
All in all, this is the best game on the DS, no question. The story itself would almost win it that merit, if you enjoy a good game story, but add to that the engaging and unique combat system, the quirky extras, the great music and visuals and the enjoyable assortment of characters, this game is an absolute must. I would advise everyone to own a copy.