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Golden Sun
[April 14,
2004]
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| Publisher |
Nintendo |
| Developer |
Camelot
Software |
| Genre |
RPG |
| No.
of Players |
1-2 |
| Accessories |
Link
Cable |
| Release
Date |
November
12, 2001 |
| ESRB
Rating |
Everyone |
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Shop
@ EBGAMES.com |
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Probably
the biggest complaint I have heard about Nintendo is that they
never ever get any even half-decent RPG's on their systems.
Well, now people can stop complaining, and pick up Golden Sun
at their nearest retailers. Golden Sun is the BEST RPG on a
Nintendo System since Chrono Trigger. (Quest 64 doesn't even
qualify as an RPG in my book...) The Game starts up and you
see An Amazing scrolling picture of a Mountain. And your like,
"Ok, so it has good graphics. So what." So you start
a game, and you think, "Ok, so it has a good story
too." And as you progress through the game, you realize
that the gameplay is amazing. And then, it hits you.
Everything in this game is good.
Features
- Quest that lasts dozens of
hours
- At least five different
characters join your party
- Four different magical
styles
- Battery save (three
locations)
- Link cable support for two
player battles
- Only for Game Boy
Advance
Gameplay
You begin with the
story of a young man from an isolated village called Vale
whose shoulders carry the burden of not only saving his
village but the entire world. The village of alchemists called
Adepts has been guarding a sacred temple called Sol
Sanctum since ancient times. When the sanctums seal is broken
and the sacred stones are stolen our hero Isaac and his friend
Garrett are asked to retrieve them before the culprit awakens
a power capable of destroying the planet equipped with a
special power called Psynergy that can be used to move
objects, read minds or conjure up various alchemic attacks,
Isaac and his crew set out on a journey that spans the whole
continent of Angara.
The interface on
this game can be a bit of a sore point. Checking bookcases and
barrels for treasure often becomes annoying and tedious. This
is mostly because the button used to search your surroundings
is also the button used to call up the menu, meaning that if
you aren't properly positioned, or the thing you wish to
search isn't searchable, the menu pops up, forcing you to
close it again. This may not seem like a big deal, but it does
grate on the nerves after a few dozen mistakes. Luckily, the
interface is saved from mediocrity by the inclusion of
Shortcut buttons, used in the L and R buttons. You can assign
spells, or "Psynergy" as it is called in the game,
to these buttons, thereby using the magic without the bother
of having to go through the menu every time you want to use a
spell. These come in very handy when dealing with the game's
many logic puzzles.
When you walk out of Vale you will notice an elemental
monster called a Djinni that unleash special attacks and
change character stats and class. Psynergy and Djinni are
skillfully woven into the progression of the game. Psynergy
can be used to complete puzzles by moving remote objects or
clearing passageways. Djinni strike with the force of their
element and enable the player to use a scenic summon attack
after their initial use. There are a total of 28 Djinni in the
game. You can trade Djinni to other characters to change their
psynergy and other options. And also change character category
for instance from a Dark Mage to Swordsman, and that will also
change your psynergy.
As you walk around the continent of
Angara
and other places, you will randomly be put in battles. The
battles are turn based, and you need a lot of strategy for
this game in the battles and out. There are various things you
can do in the battles. You can attack, use a djinni, use a
item, summon a god, or defend. The more battles your in the
more experience you earn, the more experience you earn the
more psynergy your learn.
Strategy is another big part of this game, mostly in
battles and sometimes out of battles. Because in the fight you
need to Heal, Attack, and use your Djinni wisely without
getting killed. Use Cure or Ply with one person to heal
others, while the other characters attack. Out of battles
there are a lot of puzzle that you need to use your psynergy
on to get through. But if you don’t use strategy, you will
never get anywhere in this game.
There is a battle
mode where you just fight monsters you have already defeated.
You can also fight bosses and other enemies in this mode until
you die, or just get tired of playing. You will not gain any
experience points, or money when you defeat a monster in this
mode, which is kind of a down side to this mode but its still
fun just to fight for no reason.
Graphics
The graphics in this game
are very brilliant considering it was one of the first games
released on the GBA.. In a battle you will see in the
background what the area that you are in looks like in 3D.
When you summon a god is when the real graphics take place and
you can see what the GBA is made of. Overall this game has
some of the best graphics in a GBA game.
Sound
This game also has a
beautiful soundtrack during battles this game has the music to
fit if you were in a real fight. I always use headphones when
I play this game just because I like the music that good.
Sometimes the towns share the same music, but it doesn’t
happen very often.
Control
The control in this game is
really well laid out, and its not to hard to use. As usual the
A or select buttons open the menu options the Psynergy, Djinni,
Items, and Status
. While when B is held it is to
run fast. The control pad enables
you to walk or run around
Angara
.
The L and R buttons set your
psynergy for quick use. And lastly the start button brings up
the pause menu where you can save your game, or change the
settings for the color of the menu screen.
Replay
Value
The replay value for this
game is good, you can go back and try to get all the Psynergy
and all 28 Djinni. And just level up to beat your friends in
Battle
mode. Plus since the game is so long, after you beat it the
first time you are ready to play it again.
Personal
Thoughts
I think this is the best RPG
we’ve seen on a Nintendo console since Chrono Trigger. This
has a great storyline and beautiful graphics. This is a must
have for all the RPG fans of the world.
-- Andrew Smithson
For a RPG, on
the Gameboy, it has to be said that Golden Sun pulls a lot
out of the bag. Sporting a good cast, strong story,
impressive graphics, and most importantly, a long 'play to
the end' time, Golden sun is the RPG we always wanted, and
needed.
-- Andy Calvert
When
I saw previews of this game in early 2001 I knew this would be
one of the best GBA games. The truth is, it is one of the best
portable RPGs if not the best. It has the total package:
graphics, sound, control and more importantly a good story. If
you don't have this game i suggest you buy it immediately.
-- Michael Taylor
I
really don't know what to say about Golden Sun. I mean, I am
extremely impressed with everything about the game. Graphics,
storyline, sound, etc. Definitely a must-own game.
-- Suzanna
Studer
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