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Golden Sun
Golden Sun (Gameboy Advance)
Developer
Camelot
Publisher
Nintendo
Genre
Turn Based RPG
Players
2
C3 Score
9
Reader Score (16 Votes)
9
9
9
Posted on 03.02.2003
Posted by Adam Riley (jesusraz)
Tags:
Golden, Sun, 2, Camelot, Nintendo, Turn Based RPG
Posted by Adam Riley (jesusraz) Tags:
Golden, Sun, 2, Camelot, Nintendo, Turn Based RPG
Find out more
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Camelot, previously most famous for its sturdy work on the Mega Drive ‘Force’ series, suddenly shot back into the limelight when Nintendo handed them Mario & company for two new sports titles. Mario Golf and Mario Tennis were hailed as brilliant on the N64, and the GameBoy Colour versions (which had strong RPG-roots sewn in) were deemed to be some of the best games on the system. The GameBoy Advance eventually came along, and lo-and-behold Camelot tagged along for the ride, announcing a game that would blow the launch titles out of the water – thus Golden Sun was born.
Features:
This is an epic quest, full of the usual RPG clich
The fact that such spectacular graphics could be churned out on what many people thought was little more than a portable SNES, certainly bemused many a naysayer at the time of release. Many have actually likened Golden Sun to a PSX game, and they certainly have a strong case. Compared to games like Capcom’s Breath of Fire III and even the classic Squaresoft RPG Xenogears, Camelot’s offering can definitely hold its own. Cute little characters, highly-detailed backgrounds and environments, and, of course, the wondrous magical effects and summons – from time to time you will most likely rub your eyes just to make sure they’re not playing games with you…this title’s graphics really are as good as they look, no tricks!
Whilst there is no voice-sampling of any kind in the game, the ample amount of aurally-pleasing in-game music more than makes up for it. Games so far for the handheld have not exactly pushed the boat out in the sound department, but thankfully here Camelot prove that what the Super Nintendo did, the GameBoy Advance can now do much better. Orchestration of tunes – mellow pan pipes and strings being present throughout the game – means that it is definitely recommended that you wear your headphones in order to fully appreciate the effort that has been poured into the tiny cartridge. In fact, better yet, do what I do and plug your speaker system into the GBA! It is well worth it.
The first main gripe that is encountered is when you are an hour into the game, yet the proper action still hasn’t started. You see, the developers have tried to produce such an elaborate plot that the introduction needed for all of the characters and the unveiling of the story takes far too long for those who are eager to just dive straight into the action. But you should be patient as, even though clich
Up to 40 hours can be sucked from your life if you play through collecting all the Djinn and Levelling-Up sufficiently, which for a handheld title is more than enough. There are 28 Djinn to find, some of which are in awkward, seemingly impossible-to-reach places. But everything is possible - you just need to make sure you’ve used the correct Psynergy to open up the right route. Bosses are arduous, but with patience when building up your levels, your work will be duly rewarded. Puzzles can be taxing, and very frustrating at times, but eventually something clicks, and *Bingo!* you’ve done it! And finally there are the options of being able to battle in an arena on your own or use your Djinn against those of a friend, which is basically two-player Pok
Gameplay
9
The tried-and-tested RPG mechanic of turn-based play comes into effect here, but with puzzles, a Pok
Graphics
8
A triumph for such an early Game Boy Advance title. Camelot sets the bar for the rest of the developing community.
Sound
8
Memorable music that is professionally composed, with marvellous orchestration that makes you take a second look at your GBA in disbelief of what you are hearing...
Value
8
Over forty hours of play time; twenty-eight Djinn to find and capture, taxing puzzles and stacks of text to wade through all ensure value for money in all areas!
9
C3 Score Very, very impressive. But those that have played Camelot’s previous games should have expected no less since the company has a lot of experience behind it. This is an absorbing RPG that, although at times frustrating, will keep you hooked right until the final credits roll. With Golden Sun: The Lost Age due for later this year, the time is definitely ripe to pick this up./10
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