Genre: Strategy RPG
Developer: Micro Cabin
Publisher: Panasonic

Every object in this title was 3d modeled, then rendered down to a sprite for use in the game. The result is a title that looks pleasantly crisp and 3d, but can be handled easily by the 3DO. The artwork style is a quirky "anime meets Disney" style, complete with baddies that have arched-down eyebrows to make them look angry. Special effects are filled with colors and beautiful transparency effects, though the game does look rather pixelized as a whole.

The sound effects are, for some bizarre reason, fuzzy sounding, as if they were recorded with a cheap microphone then haphazardly transferred to the development machine. The actual composition of the sound effects, though, is excellent, and even the voice acting is reasonably well done. The music is crystal clear, and is one of the best video game sound tracks of all time, with a wonderful combination of techno and electric guitar. The music alone garners a great score here.

Guardian War eschews the need to talk to NPCs randomly wandering about, and focuses on RPG combat. The dynamics of this combat engine are engrossing and exceptionally innovative; each character, or "golem", can be equipped with three bodies, each of which brings abilities to that golem. There are dozens upon dozens of potential combinations, and when the player eventually has several golems at his/her disposal, the possible gameplay approaches are nearly endless. A tremendously deep and ageless gameplay design.

Aside from utilizing body and golem combinations, the player can set the formation for his/her party, make use of hundreds of swords, shields, and other items found from shops and battle fields, and can even charm baddies and use them to contribute to the cause. Guardian War is a formulaic masterpiece that was executed to perfection, and is a title that no RPG fan should neglect to play.