Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Legend of Heroes III: Song of the Ocean builds on the solid foundation of its predecessors with an overhauled battle system that brings fresh tactical depth to the Gagharv Trilogy. Encounters are turn-based, but you can now swap party members mid-battle, allowing you to adapt on the fly to enemy weaknesses or replenish your front line. This fluidity keeps skirmishes engaging throughout the 30–50 hour campaign, as you’re always considering who to deploy next for maximum impact.

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Exploration is equally rewarding, with a network of towns, dungeons, and hidden alcoves scattered across the realm of Weltluna. Teleportation shrines let you revisit previous areas instantly, and occasional “guest” missions allow you to team up with characters from earlier Legend of Heroes titles. These bonus quests are more than fan service; they offer extra XP, rare materials, and unique items, incentivizing repeat visits to familiar locales.

Character progression strikes a good balance between freedom and structure. Forto and his allies each have their own skill trees, where you can unlock combat arts, passive boosts, and elemental affinities. While the branching paths encourage experimentation, the game makes it clear which upgrades synergize best, avoiding the overwhelm that often plagues deep RPG systems. Side quests also provide gear and knowledge points, ensuring players who explore thoroughly feel tangibly stronger.

Finally, the pacing of the storyline and optional content is carefully calibrated. The main narrative beats propel you forward at a satisfying rate, while detours into optional islands or ruins never feel like padding. Whether you’re chasing down a legendary song or delving into Water Tribe lore, the gameplay loop remains tight, with fresh mechanics and narrative hooks introduced at regular intervals.

Graphics

On the PSP hardware, Song of the Ocean pushes the boundaries of what the console can display, offering crisp character sprites and detailed environmental backdrops. The world of Weltluna comes to life through lush forests, sun-dappled coastlines, and the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the Water Tribe. Cutscenes blend pre-rendered sequences with in-engine visuals, creating an immersive sense of scale when the story calls for epic moments.

Sprites for Forto and his companions are animated with care, showcasing fluid attack motions and expressive idle poses. Enemy designs draw on aquatic motifs—slick, sinuous merfolk, towering sea beasts, and crystalline constructs—all rendered with vivid color palettes that stand out against the more muted dungeon interiors. Subtle lighting effects, like flickering torchlight and shimmering water surfaces, further enhance the sense of atmosphere.

UI elements are clean and intuitive, with clearly labeled menus for equipment, skills, and the enhanced party swap mechanic. Icons are distinct, and text remains legible even during intense battles. The world map and minimap system make navigation straightforward, so you’re never lost when tracking down side quests or hunting for treasure chests in sprawling labyrinths.

While the PSP’s lower resolution does impose some limitations, Song of the Ocean compensates through strong art direction and thoughtful level design. Particle effects during spellcasting, weather transitions, and dynamic camera angles during special attacks help the game feel modern—even on older hardware. Fans of classic RPG aesthetics will appreciate how Nihon Falcom balances nostalgia with technical polish.

Story

Song of the Ocean delivers a compelling standalone tale that closes the Gagharv Trilogy with emotional resonance and thematic depth. You play as Forto, a humble explorer driven to uncover a lost song composed by the legendary Water Tribe. Along the way, you unravel the history of Weltluna—once the epicenter of an advanced civilization now forgotten beneath the waves.

The narrative weaves personal character arcs with broader world-building. Forto’s journey is mirrored by his growing bond with up to six companions, each bringing their own motivations and backstories into the fold. Side conversations and hidden diary entries flesh out these relationships, making the climactic revelations about the Water Tribe’s fate feel earned rather than tacked on.

Dialogues are well localized, capturing the charm and wit typical of Nihon Falcom’s writing. Even when the plot delves into mythic lore or political intrigue, the characters remain grounded and relatable. The game balances lighthearted moments—such as comedic tavern banter—with weightier themes of loss, memory, and the enduring power of music.

Optional questlines often tie back to the main story, offering alternative perspectives on the central mystery. This layering of narrative threads encourages multiple playthroughs, as you may uncover new facets of the plot by recruiting different party members or returning to teleporter areas after major story beats. The result is a tapestry of storytelling that feels both expansive and intimately connected.

Overall Experience

For fans of traditional turn-based RPGs, Song of the Ocean represents a high-water mark on the PSP platform. Its blend of refined mechanics, engaging story, and robust content makes it a standout title in Nihon Falcom’s catalog. Even newcomers to the Gagharv Trilogy will find this installment accessible, thanks to clear tutorials and generous in-game hints.

The game’s soundtrack deserves special mention: sweeping orchestral themes and serene choral pieces underscore key moments, reinforcing the central motif of music and memory. Background tracks vary from tranquil village tunes to epic battle hymns, ensuring the audio landscape matches the emotional tenor of each scene.

Replay value is strong, bolstered by the bonus missions that require save data from earlier entries, as well as multiple endings tied to specific choices and side content. Whether you’re chasing every secret dungeon or simply following Forto’s main quest, Song of the Ocean offers hours of discovery and satisfaction.

Ultimately, The Legend of Heroes III: Song of the Ocean is a rewarding experience that closes out the PSP trilogy on a high note. Its combination of strategic battles, evocative visuals, and heartfelt storytelling makes it a must-play for RPG enthusiasts and a fine entry point for those curious about Falcom’s revered Legend of Heroes series.

Retro Replay Score

6.4/10