Here is another game worth playing for the old system, you might recognize the name as being more recent since it has been released for gameboy color. Cystalis was released by SNK back in the day when they were financially secure, this is one of the best ones the console has.

Well, i think this may be the weakest point of the game, there is no solid story line to back up the game. The only thing metioned as a prologue is that the world is distroyed the year 1999 (i wonder if its related to the beleif that the world would end the year 2000), that civilization was nearly destroyed and the survivors were to rebuild in a new mutated world. It also metions a tower high in the sky that watches over the planet. Other than that its pretty hollow, but the story is cleared up with the more recent release that explains more to the story, of how some powerfully mutated people called wizards/wisemen (duh) helped rebuild. But not every one is good in this world, the powerful wizard Draygon, decided to build an empire out of this new world, no matter how he would accomplish this goal (evil doings), placing him as the leader and emperor of the wolrd. "When evil emerges so will two young warriors destined to obliverate it", or something like that :) pretty self explanatory, you take the role of one of those warriors, search out 4 swords to form the legendary blade (sound familiar?) and rid the world of evil.

The patterns used for this game are good in detail, unlike some other games, you can actually see and distinguish what the terrain is like and therefore anticipate the effect on your character (poison swamps, high grass, water etc). Enemies and characters are 2 or 3 colored, well defined, and animated to where they are moving most of the time. The some animated visual effects are almost cartoon-like (explosions, peoples reactions to certain actions etc..) and varied.

Its good all around, it has certainly good music, and the sound effects are also great, almost all actions have a sound effect, like jumping or stabbing an enemy.

The controls are basic,(its not very difficult with only 4 buttons) one makes use of the weapon the other of the item/magic or talk, the menus are accessed through different start and select combos. The battle system, which sometimes classifies and diversifies RPGs into different subcategories, is not turn based, but real time. Enemies are scattered every where and you must try to fend them off by either stabbing or recharging your elemental magic sword (measured by a powermeter above you're life points and level).

The people of the world interact around you in a good, un-annoying matter (they don't repeat what others say). Bosses and subbosses offer a challenge to gamers. Elemental magical swords are your weapons here, you get 1 at the begining, but you must search out the others in order to stop evil. Sounds a little dull, a limited amount of swords for the whole game... well the swords can be powered up by magical crystals or balls and magical braceletes, thus allowing you to perform new varied attacks. Armor and items are fair throughout the game, your character changes aspect if you equip him with shield and armor (little detail).

A good rpg overall,(it even kindda reminds me of Zelda due to some aspects),the story plot could've been better explained but oh well...

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