Style: 1 player
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Camelot Software Planning
Release: November 2001
Game Boy Advanced (GBA)
The world of Weyard is unforgettable. Stepping into the life of Isaac, players enter a 2D role-playing masterpiece. As evil pursues the lost art of Alchemy, seeking it to accomplish their foul purpose, the fate of mankind’s future hangs in the hands of four heroes. You and your companions are the last hope. Armed with powerful weapons, the mysterious creatures known as Djinn, and the ability to manipulate magic known as “psynergy,” Isaac and his companions adventure into an uncertain future. Developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo, Golden Sun is a storytelling and gaming masterpiece.
Drawing on elements of Final Fantasy and The Legend of Zelda, Golden Sun builds upon the traditional gameplay of Japanese role-playing games. Players interact with a variety of memorable allies and adversaries, combat monsters, solve puzzles, and acquire powerful magic and equipment as they progress. With four characters in your party and 28 Djinn to collect, the first installment of Camelot’s Golden Sun series is a unique and engaging RPG classic.
From exploring an expansive world map to scouring dungeons, Golden Sun offers several unique features. From utilizing pipes to guide streams of high-velocity water or using psynergy to maneuver obstacles that block the path forward, tricky challenges are abound. The game’s own turn-based battle system takes a new take on the traditional. If you are not familiar with turn-based role-playing games, you might think that the combat mechanic is complex. Golden Sun’s combat offers players varying options between attacks, items, and Djinn use. Although the focus on the use of magic attacks laces Golden Sun with an innovative touch, the majority of options are easy to access. Players are given physical and magical attacks, mid-battle item use, and the ability to use collected Djinn in battle. The Djinn, personifying the four elements and adding a welcome change to the turn-based formula, can be activated for devastating attacks and summons. Their influence further extends into the manipulation your character’s statistics and character class throughout the game.
Golden Sun’s combat is painstakingly balanced in difficulty, crafted by developers to ensure that adequately leveled up and equipped characters are given a proper challenge. With every victory the spoils of coins, experience, and the occasional item provides a satisfying experience. With added levels of strategy, and the option to choose an attack’s targeted enemy, players combat a menagerie of foes in both random and compulsory encounters. Defeating a boss, however, certainly comes with a memorable feel of accomplishment and the thrill of victory. Watching your opponent fade to gray and pixelate into oblivion remains satisfying throughout, especially after hard fought boss battles.
Though random encounters that occur while exploring the game world can be irritating, Isaac’s adventure across Weyard is vibrant audiovisual experience.
Golden Sun also squeezes in a battle mode for the change of pace. The battle area allows players to battle monsters in an arena or against a friend via the link cable for a little 3-vs-3 action. The arena provides a fun diversion from the story mode, but it does require that both players have a copy of the game and a Link Cable.
After more than a year spent on the development of Golden Sun, Camelot provides players with the classical Super Nintendo style that is regarded as paramount in 2D graphics. Using mode 7 graphical effects, the detail in Golden Sun is truly a sight to behold. Psynergy attacks sparkle and delight as attacks such as plasma storms or calling down the divine sword “Ragnarok” obliterate opponents. With tremendous summons, drawing you in with beautiful 2D cinematography, and impressive character design, Golden Sun brings you back to the golden age of handheld gaming.
Golden Sun‘s soundtrack is similarly impressive. A 32-bit soundtrack provides atmospheric orchestrated themes to various battles and locations. While the game delivers beautiful art direction in spades, it’s impressive audio is magnificently composed to convey the mood of both setting and story. The music captivates as much as the art, being diverse throughout. Although there are people who may criticize Golden Sun for its lack of voiced dialogue, it is an understandable omission given the limited storage of the cartridge format. Given the ambition within every other facet of the game, it is minor, and is quickly forgotten after taking the time to listen to the amazing musical tracks varied throughout.
Golden Sun undeniably stands at the apex of the Game Boy Advance experience. It is an intricate experience worthy to be called the best role-playing game to ever have graced a handheld. Players can easily sink 20 plus hours in this gem, taking on side quests and questing for the best equipment. Fans of RPGs will feel right at home playing Golden Sun. With it’s expansive quest, gorgeous looks, and vivid sound design, Golden Sun is an epic storytelling experience for that Game Boy Advance. For me, nostalgia only makes every play-through finer than than the last. Great heroes always forge their own path.
Concept:
A masterful RPG that takes enhances the capabilities of 2D storytelling and gameplay in all the right ways.
Graphics:
With an absolutely astounding use of lush colors throughout the game, Camelot pushes the GBA hardware. With visually impressive particle effects, transparencies, sprite scaling, and rotation, Golden Sun is a visual pleasure. Fumihide Aoki’s fantastic art direction brings memorable characters and settings to life.
Sound:
Camelot’s synthesized orchestras, composed by Motoi Sakuraba, set the tone of the game perfectly.
Playability:
Golden Sun offers unique refreshment to the traditional turn-based gameplay. Each of the four main characters is distinctive in combat and character customization in both class and equipment provides a wealth of strategies.
Entertainment:
Camelot’s Golden Sun immerses players in unique fantasy role-playing experience that remains a distinct and beloved classic in gaming history.
Replay Value:
Moderately High
Rating:
10/10
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