The use of weapons and sub weapons regulating distances from the enemy bring some strategy to the table and special enemies with resistances require even more planning from players.

In RPG fashion, all of the crew's characters gain experience through successful battles to increase their levels, but Rogue Galaxy strays from the beaten path with its revelation charts and item manufacturing.

A chart into which players can insert acquired items to unlock new abilities determines a character's special abilities, or revelations. As an ability unlocks, any spaces in line with it on the chart are then unveiled for players to gain even more abilities. With the correct items, characters not only learn special maneuvers, but also stat increases and new types of devastating attacks.

And while shops allow players to purchase items, the ability to combine weapons into a new, more powerful weapon adds a lot of depth to the game. Not only can the characters themselves level up, but experience is also added to equipped weapons. When a weapon has full experience, it then qualifies for a weapon combination. The number of possibilities leads to a great deal of experimentation and possibilities for players who take full advantage of the feature. As the game progresses, players will even be able to utilize blueprints and create a factory to produce items.

To chalk even more features onto the optional and experimental to-do list, creatures called Insectors can be captured throughout the course of the game. By raising the critters, players can take part in special strategic battle tournaments and rise through the ranks of the galactic competition. Jaster can also rise through the ranks as a galactic hunter by cashing in special kills for points that eventually grant him special items.

While the quest itself can run around 30-40 hours, if players take advantage of all the extras in the game, they should be able to double or even triple the amount of play time to be had in Rogue Galaxy. The game's purchase price provides two tons of things to do, and gaming perfectionists will have a blast unraveling all there is to see in the game.

Graphically, Rogue Galaxy is a top-notch title on the Playstation 2 thanks to its signature cell-shaded animation look. The characters are insanely detailed - even changing according to the equipment you sport - and all of the game's cinematics look fantastic. Each character is also animated very well, breathing life and character into just about every being you encounter on your journey.

The only thing that takes a hit visually, is the lack of variation in the game's environments - one area of a planet looks almost exactly like the next. For example, the jungle planet looks like endless corridors of trees and the only facet that breaks it up is the handful of huts and the waterfall/spring area. It's a minor gripe; nonetheless, as with the constant battle encounters, you'll be too busy trying to stay alive to notice any nuances in the environment.