looks just like the sun

Now that Castlevania is finally done, I made a point of quickly filling the GBA void with another game. As much as I loved playing Aria of Sorrow with Julius Belmont, there was just something missing. Besides the fact that you can't use Soul Powers, I mean. It's more along the lines of I've finished the game and want a new one. So, I got Golden Sun.

After playing it tonight, I can say that this is one of the best god damn RPGs ever created. Maybe the best game for the GBA. And I am well aware that I only own two games for this magical platform, so bugger off. Yes, it is that good. Beautiful graphics, good soundtrack, nice balance of puzzles and turn-based combat (a real bonus, in my opinion). Even though the story is kind of a retread, it's still interesting and enjoyable. And much to my surprise the dialogue is not made up of baby talk or poor japanenglish. The combat and magic system is also extremely innovative and fun. In fact, I can easily compare the style of game to something like Shining Force. This was truly a game among games for the Sega Genesis. It's success spawned a whole series of "Shining" games all the way up to the Sega Saturn. Shining Force made me appreciate the fun of turn based strategy. And before you Heroes fanboys get all up in arms, I love those games too, they just didn't let you have a half-wolf in your party.

Whilst I am on this tangent of sorts, I should mention that I stumbled upon a certain game called Shining Soul, which is part of the Great Lineage of Shining Games. It was released for the GBA last year in Japan, and is described as a "Communication RPG" - whatever the fuck that means. From the tidbits that I have read, it sounds like a multiplayer RPG and on par with something like Diablo II. My question of course is, where the fuck do I sign up. According to ebworld, it will hit North American Soil in September. I can hardly contain my body fluids. I mean, after buying a GBA and seeing my favorite series make their home there, it's almost like the platform was invented for my enjoyment alone. Well, except of course for the multiplayer games, and then you're gonna just have to come over here and bring it.