Crystalis
Reviewed by Joe
Here we go! A review for a game not too many of you have heard of!
But this game is a classic. It's just a neglected classic. Crystalis
mixes all of the exploring of Zelda with the story of an RPG. It is
probably the inspiration for Secret of Mana and plenty more games
that copied it.
Graphics 8 out of 10
Oooooh..... purty. The graphics are fine, especially for the NES. There
are plenty of rich colors and well-drawn places, and it is basically
as good as any other NES game.
Music and Sound 7 out of 10
Standard NES fare. Some nice tunes, but I somehow doubt you'd buy
the CD. The music grows appropriately mean and nasty when bad guys
are around, and then turns all HAPPY and BOUNCY when you're just
stalking about. Very standard.
Game Challenge 7 out of 10
The plot of the game is VERY linear and there is nearly no room for
mindless exploration. Some challenge is added by the fact that you
can't even hurt some bosses without being at a certain level of
experience. This can get annoying, but it does tell you when you should
start building them levels..... I hate it in an RPG when some beast
whoops me really bad after I fight him for a long time to no avail...
Game Play-Fun 8 out of 10
The plot is really neat all kinds of cool cryogenic stuff with shape-
shifting and evil generals and rabbits and other keen junk. Also,
according to the game's plot, the world is destroyed in far-off 1997....
But seriously, the game has plenty of items and options and characters
to keep things human.
Frustration
Well..... the level thing can get you angry. And sometimes you just CAN'T
find what you need and you just have to search and search for hours until
you stumble onto it. And of course, there's the standard RPG practice of
having to beat a foe over and over and over just to get some gold to buy
items with. I really can't stand that.
Replayability 3 out of 10
Oh no, no, no. This is an EARLY RPG/adventure thingy. There are no secrets
or alternate endings or other cool doodads. You just beat it and then I
guess you can try to get all of the weapons or something, but you're
basically done.
Game Value 9 out of 10
Hey, if you know where to get NES games you can get this from 20 to 3
bucks. Go for the cheapest price you can, but this one is worth a twenty.
It's a really great game.
Overall 8 out of 10
Hunt it down. You're missing a milestone in NES or even all of video game
history if you don't. Get it and love it.