Illusion of Gaia
Reviewed by Graham North
Illusion of Gaia. The ONLY Role Playing Super NES game that I've EVER
bought that didn't have the Squaresoft logo on it. For that matter, the
only Role-Playing game for ANY system that I bought which didn't have
the Squaresoft logo. This is Nintendo's own, and they did well. The game
is based on a young school boy named Will who, one year ago, went on
an expedition with his father and some adventurers to the Tower of Babel.
He remembers nothing of it now, except that his father did not return yet
he somehow made it back. Will has now discovered that he has some
sort of telekinesis powers which definitely scare his friends more than
he'd want it to. He has the ability to move object in line with him from
afar, as well as other powers which you'll discover along the way. The
journey begins in home town South Cape, where a letter from the king
requests that Will bring him the renowned Crystal Ring, of which he knows
nothing about. From here you, as Will, will discover many items and
treasures through your journey with the help of your friends, acquaintances,
and the Spirit of another Dimension, Gaia. It's a long, hard, demon and
puzzle filled road, but with faith, Will can prevail.
Graphics 4 out of 5
The graphics in Illusion of Gaia are at the general level for it's time and
game type. Nothing extremely special or new, yet enough to appreciate
them. The game, made in late 1995 around the time of Final Fantasy 3,
doesn't live up in graphics to its rival, as realism is decreased by more
cartoony graphics, though perhaps not intended as so. Nonetheless, an
improvement in the category from it's real-time predecessor in Secret
of Mana. Though characterizations in the two games are equal, if not the
battle given to the Dwarves and Sprites of Secret of Mana, the background,
house and level detail of Gaia DESTROY the "same-stuff-with-a-change-of-color"
backgrounds of Mana.
Music and Sound 4.2 out of 5
The sounds of Gaia, rather advanced for their time, were second in '95 only
to Final Fantasy 3. Both of these games FINALLY introduced different songs
for almost every level, though Gaia's effects could use some work. Though
mainly as realistic as could be given through opening doors, whistling wind,
collecting jewels and such, the sounds of hitting demons and walls could are
those that perhaps should have been tuned up. Besides that small detail, the
songs and sounds of Illusion of Gaia could still rank fairly high in Super NES
games in 1998, in my opinion.
Game Challenge 4.1 out of 5
For the actual game itself, I wouldn't, and couldn't have given Gaia anything
over 3.5 or so in the Challenge category. But this game was saved by it's
nearly impossible "I've-owned-the-game-for-almost-three-years-and-
STILL-haven't-beaten-it" red jewel collection. The jewel collecting itself
isn't that hard, especially with the entire guide to finding the 50 jewels on
the back of the instruction booklet. But not only is it a problem that if you
miss ONE you can't get the secret, but the secret itself is a problem. Once
you give all the jewels to the Jeweler, he transports you to a weird level
with what looks like enemies from the mine level, but WAY harder. If you
can manage to sneakily kill ALL the monsters (like 60), then you get to face
the REAL form of the Jeweler, a huge monster that I still can't beat. He's
got these huge claws that drill you, and you only get 1HP off of him per
shot (equalling 40 shots to kill him, and he takes off like 5HP per shot. Not
to mention that he can EASILY hit you, but it's almost impossible to hit
him. I think I got him down to like 6HP once and he killed me.) So with that,
challenge has been boosted by 0.6 because of the Gem the Jeweler.
Game Play-Fun 4.6 out of 5
Fun. Really fun. That's pretty much all you need to know about Gaia. Though
the replay value isn't as great as one would hope, due to the limits of the
game (where and when you can go places with who or what), but nonetheless,
fun. Between cool looking and interesting monsters, and a terrific story-line
which, though full of anachronisms, is very informative including a trip to
find the Incan treasures. Also, with the switching of characters in battle
from Will to Freedan the Warrior, then to Shadow, the game is full of surprises
and puzzles to keep you playing until the end.
Overall 4.4 out of 5
Quite frankly, Illusion of Gaia is an excellent game. I don't buy many games in
comparison to some people I know, but this game is DEFINITELY worth shovelling
out 50 or 60 bucks to keep. Between fighting monsters in the Incan Ruins, finding
secrets in the Pyramids, discovering bones in Ankor Wat and finding the Red
Jewels for Gem the Jeweler, this game is ready for you, so get ready for it.