Format: Advance
Genre: RPG
Developer: Camelot Software Planning
Publisher: Nintendo

The first game of 2024! This game I've played before and heavily enjoyed replaying it even in this era. Game's like this one have a certain something and a charm on top of that which simply cannot be mimicked. Being older and wiser now, I think I understand that some of that charm is thanks to the natural progression flow of action. This game defined what an RPG could be on a handheld console and single-handedly put GBA on the map, as well as defining that great handheld RPGs could outdo console graphics. The story is only half-told in this game, as the rest of it came out later in it's sequel "Golden Sun: The Lost Age". The story follows around a youth named 'Isaac' as he unleashes chaos upon the world in the form of elemental powers. In Truth, he triggered a massive volcanic eruption that blanketed the world in 'Psy Crystals' that initiated all sorts of chaos. The story is actually one of the strong points of this game so I won't ruin it, go play it. What truly makes this game great is the action, customization, graphics, and music. I know I just listed 4 things, because that's how well put together this game truly is. Once you get past the starting plot, you have an entire continent to just explore. The game automatically steers the player in the direction via convenient copouts and restrictions. Normally this would be very bad design, however, since golden sun ties it in with the plot, it looks practically natural as to why the bridge is down, or the pathway has been sealed up, etc etc etc. One of the most prominent parts of the game is the music. There simply are no bad tracks in this game. Dark themes sound dark. Battles sound actiony. Uplifting beats are uplifting. It's simply an amazingly on point soundtrack. The customization in this game ranges from equipping characters with armor/weapons to equipping their djinn which makes their magic and weaknesses quite different. Djinn are these little elemental creatures you find on the journey. They can perform special attacks in combat, or combine to perform summons. Additionally something unique about this game is that weapons ALSO have special attacks called "unleashes". When a weapon uses it's unleash, it changes into a special move with it's own visuals and sometimes has additional effects. Most of any problems you have in this game can be nullified with something else in the game, like the spell "avoid" or the djinn "Quartz". The dialogue in the game feels natural, the gameplay is simple, and the action is fast. This game additionally has quite a few "puzzles" being a zelda-like in caves and dungeons. Great Game.

Hot Tips: Left+R+Start on black title screen to get to password option to appear(Send). Defeat enemies with opposite-type Djinn attacks to get 2x exp/loot "!!!". Get the Cleric's Ring in Crossbone Isle if you plan to transfer data.

All in All, Golden Sun defined what an RPG could be on a handheld and deserves it's perfect 10 score. Of any faults in this game, the only one I could ever see would be that the inventory system isn't the best.

Format: Advance
Genre: RPG
Developer: Camelot
Publisher: Nintendo

The unique artistic style of Golden Sun is attention-gathering the minute the game begins. The title has a very pastellish, smooth look, which includes not only the mountains, buildings, and caves of the world, but also the character art. Animation is well done, particularily in battles, and the traditional 3 1/4 view works well. The game features the obligatory Mode 7 world map, and some of the battle special effects are extremely beautiful. The overall effect of the artistry in the title leaves little to be desired, and while not jaw-dropping, the graphics are very beautiful for a GBA game.

All good RPG's must have a good soundtrack, and Golden Sun does not fail to deliver. Most of the tunes are memorable and prone to get stuck in the head. Also like most good RPG's, by the end, you associate each song with a particular bit of story, such as, "Ok, here comes the betrayal song!", or "Here comes the humor song!" The sound effects likewise are well conceived, and make good use of the GBA's hardware. Golden Sun is only the second GBA game I've played (CotM being the first) that is completely devoid of any lousy Gameboy Color-esque music or sounds, meaning that Camelot truly understood that this is the Gameboy Advance, not the NES.

Golden Sun is a game that refines rather than innovates, which is a nice way of saying that the game is almost totally unoriginal. The battle engine, menus, and story are all typical RPG-fare. Even the Djinn concept, which at first seems creative, is actually just another way of going about the same thing other RPG's strive for. What stands out really is how solid the game is. The aforementioned elements, especially the story, are exceptionally complete and well executed, even if they aren't particularily creative. To an RPG fan, it's tough not to appreciate Golden Sun's consistent and rock solid gameplay and story.

Maybe justifiably, or maybe not, Golden Sun immediately takes its place as one of the best games on the Gameboy Advance. The entire content is highly memorable, and is a solid effort in game design if there ever was one. It is also a very conservative effort, sticking to the well worn path of the RPG, maybe the sequel will do a bit more to innovate. All the same, Golden Sun is difficult to put down until it's been beaten, which is quite a feat given the difficulty of the final bosses :) This isn't Xenogears, but it is oodles better than most RPG's that have come out lately.