First thing of mention is: do not expect any character development. You are thrown into the game in control of a young boy (that you have to name) and eventually meet up with a girl and sprite (again both of which you must name). But the background of the three is never really explained to a satisfactory degree. Anyway, as I said, you start as 'Raz' (I'm so original! Hehe...) playing a juvenile game with his friends before he falls off a high-up log bridge and his friends subsequently run away (like all good mates, eh?). You gain control and wander towards the only possible location: a rock with a sword in it. A ghostly voice speaks to you, and of course you pull the sword out. What happens next is that you are now able to cut away the bushes that blocked your exit back to your home village...and you head off. Something strange occurs though - you start encountering enemy creatures along the path. Perplexed, but with no other option but to continue, Raz begins attacking in order to get home. Eventually you arrive in the village and are informed that the elders want to see you (your 'friends' turned you in

 

Already with the basic-looking Mystic Quest and average-looking Final Fantasy II (or IV as it was known in Japan) under its belt, Squaresoft upped the ante with the follow-up to the little known GameBoy game, Seiken Densetsu (which was released in the West as 'Final Fantasy Adventures: Mystic Quest'). Sparkling sheen on the flowing water, gentle green grass that waved as wind blew over it and parted as your characters passed through it, inventive design of both friendly and enemy characters as well as some gorgeous dungeons and castles and devastatingly delicious-looking spells

 

You start of the game with just the one basic, nameless character who stumbles across the special sword of mana and begin your journey by levelling-up against the little Rabites, evil mushrooms and poisonous flowers that are dotted around the small initial forest area. However, soon after you meet up with a young Princess and a dwarf who become the completing parts of your three-way team for the rest of the adventure.

The problem is that the other two, if not controlled by other humans, resort to crazy computer AI-driven paths and often become stuck on the surrounding scenery. However, this and the fact that you simply cannot avoid spell attacks, are the only minor niggles to be found throughout and the gameplay on the whole is excellently refined to a level reaching 'almost perfection'.

During the main play you collect various different weapons that you can choose from, such as the initial sword to a deadly spear, wily whip and the ever-useful boomerang. Each one gradually levels up just as your characters do, but with each level your weapon reaches it gives you access to a special attack. Hold down the attack button and the bar underneath your character will gradually fill up (fast at first, slower as the level gets higher), eventually leading to a destructive weapon move being unleashed. Reaching the elusive last level for each weapon on each character is one challenge that will certainly not be completed any time soon.

The pace of the game is also well-set, that is if you do not skimp on your elimination of the enemies you encounter. Making sure your levels are high enough is not always enough though. This game is extremely well balanced

 

This game makes you use your brain on quite a few occasions

Gameplay

9

Graphics

8

Sound

10

Value

9