Illusion of Gaia
Reviewed by Drekenloka
Illusion of Gaia. Even the title sounds cool. They say you can't judge a book
by its cover, but you can kind of judge this game by it's title. The title, I
think, is very, very,
cool. So is the game.
In some respects, this game is like Final Fantasy III. The main character,
Will, has telepathic power (like Terra.) There is a really cool being you
can be named Shadow. (Like... well... a really cool guy named Shadow) Two
characters in the game fall in love. (Like Locke and Celes.) There are
more things, but you have to really think the game over to realize them.
In this game, you are Will, a teenager who lives in South Cape. Will's father,
Olman, traveled to the tower of Babel on an expedition, and never came back.
Only one member of the crew came back. Will. Somehow, he gained some sort
of telepathic power. Soon, this "power" turns into an ability that no one can
come close to... to save the world. An evil comet approaches, threatening
to destroy mankind. Will is given powers by the spirit of Earth, Gaia, and has
two "helpers"... a Dark Knight named Freedan and a mystical ether being named
Shadow. Will is allowed to transform into each of these characters. But it is
wit that wins the war.
Graphics 87 out of 100
This game has nice graphics, nothing too special. Compared to some other
games, like Street Fighter and Chrono Trigger, it is left in the dust. But,
the graphics are strong, for the time it was produced. The times when
the best graphics are seen are when Will transforms, the swirling-screen
images, and the fact that every thing is very smooth. Nice graphics, good game.
Music and Sound 10 out of 15
The game has great music, but not much of a variety. The music is wonderful,
just wonderful, but it is tiresome to listen to familiar music over and over
again. The first through third times are ok, but after that, you want to kill
yourself. The best music? The Pyramid music.
Game Challenge 9 out of 10
This game is challenging, if you don't use the cheat section in the back of the
manual. The hardest parts are fighting all the bosses all over again, fighting
Gem, and finding the Red Jewels. The bosses can be tough if you're not ready.
Fortunately, unlike other games, you don't gain experience in this game. If
you kill all the enemies in a screen, you get a Status Jewel, which wither
enhances your life, (adds another life bubble to your health bar, and replenishes
your life) strength, (attack power) or Defense.
Game Play-Fun 10 out of 10
This game goes above and beyond normal games in funniest. The storyline is
well developed, finding the Red Jewels adds a challenge, getting maximum
stats does too... There is expression in the game, and awesome powers you
can gain. The ending is very nice too, and if you beat Gem, it adds more of
an "I did it!" sense to finishing the game.
Frustration
This game gets frustrating at certain times. For example, if you go to the
Tower of Babel and have 1 herb (healing item), you will get angry at yourself.
If you defeat all the enemies and get all the Status Jewels, you will be happy.
Very happy, if you know what you are doing.
Replayability 10 out of 10
This game is very replayable. After you beat the game, you want to push
yourself and say "What if I..." or "I wonder if..." Another thing you probably
want to do after you finish the game is find all the Red Jewels and fight
Gem. It gives lots of food for thought, and, the game is so appealing you
think "What the heck? It was really fun. Let's try it again, and...."
Game Value 10 out of 10
Personally, I have never bought the game, so I do not know the price. I just
rent it. But, no matter the price, the game is a real keeper. I recommend
it to everyone.
Overall 10 out of 10
Illusion of Gaia is a very well-developed game. You can tell a lot of thought
has been put into its making, and it proves itself to even the most critical
person in the end. I recommend this game to everyone, young or old. You
won't regret it.