"One of the best Genesis games out there."

Beyond Oasis is easily one of the best Genesis games ever released. It's got great hand drawn animation, great characters, and it's challenging. Though it borrows much from the Zelda-style adventures, it is most definitely a fun and unique game in itself.

*Graphics* (10/10)
The visuals in Beyond Oasis are about as good as they get on a 16 bit system. All of the sprites and background art are hand drawn, and they are very pretty. Animations are smooth and they fit perfectly together to produce a blend of realism, even with the slightly cartoon-like color scheme. These are some of the greatest graphics one can find on an older game.

*Gameplay* (9/10)
The gameplay is what makes this game so great, obviously. The controls are also very responsive. In Beyond Oasis, you take control of Ali, a young prince on his quest to vanquish the one who carries the silver armlet. In BO, ali is equipped with the golden armlet. He can use this armlet to conjure up the four elemental spirits that you acquire as you progress through the game. The inventory system is a very big plus in this game as well. Being able to store food and backup weaponry makes the game much more fun. Even the satisfying *THWACK!* when you strike enemies is enough to play this game.

*Story* (6/10)
The story in the game is relatively simple. Find all four of the spirits and use them to vanquish the enemy. A game such as this doesn't need an intricate story to be top-notch, however.

*Audio* (7/10)
The audio in BO is pretty good. The music is written quite well, and can be very dramatic at times. The only problem is that the music can sometimes sound muffled, or sort of "muddy." The enemies in the game let out an assortment of different death cries when killed, which adds a little quality.

*Replay* (5/10)
While there are hidden goodies in the game you may have missed the first time, there isn't much incentive to play through again unless you just want to experience the adventure one more time.

*Overall Value* (9/10)
Beyond Oasis is a game that anyone can enjoy, whether you are an RPG, adventure, or classic gaming fan. It's definitely worth a try.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/10/04