Golden Sun
***1/2
Going into Golden Sun I was ready to deem it one of the best RPG's ever made. Instead of focusing
on full on innovation, it chooses to refine and perfect the play mechanics of RPG's from the Super Nintendo era. In
doing this, Golden Sun is both nostalgic and instantly playable.
The story begins when Isaac and his best friend Garet are young boys and a catastrophe strikes their village,
leaving another boy missing and presumed dead. As the boys grow, they become skilled in both the ways of fighting and psychic
ability/magic, otherwise, alchemy. Now older, the two heroes are sent out on a quest by a magical guardian to retrieve stolen
elemental artifacts. On their quest they meet Ivan and Mia, two others adept in the ways of alchemy.
Golden Sun features the most impressive graphics ever seen on a handheld system. It makes good use
of the Game Boy Advance's large color range, and Mode-7 pseudo 3D effects. The spell effects are easily as engaging
as the overworld visuals.
Aside from the basic spells, your characters can find well hidden creatures know as Djinni. These
creatures are based on the four elements of wind, fire, water, and earth, and can be used in different conjunctions to formulate
new, unique spells, as well as all-mighty summon techniques.
I just can't complain about the gameplay. The battles are a dream, and the puzzle elements are intelligent,
without becoming overly frustrating.
Where the game falters, and falter it does, is in the story. It's been a long time since I've seen
such a moronic, dull, and to my surprise, incomplete (!) story in a role playing game. It wouldn't be so bad if Golden
Sun didn't pretend that it was some big epic deal. The player is confronted constantly with long stretches of pointless
information that very slowly divulges a few obvious plot points. I wish developer Camelot would have included an option
to skip dialogue sections, because they rarely told me anything I didn't know.
Perhaps the worst part comes from the fact that the game is incomplete. About halfway through your
quest, the game ends abruptly to a dreaded "To Be Continued" message. The story might not have been original, or even
interesting, but I'd at least like some kind of closure. From what I hear, the sequel might not even relate to the heroes
of this game.
It always pains me to see fun, technically advanced games like this get bogged down in overdone plot elements.
Like Metal Gear Solid 2 before it, Golden Sun could have been a masterpiece with a few edits, but as it stands, it's simply
noteworthy.
-James Napier
