Willow

"It's been a while since I saw the movie, but I was impressed with the game."

Willow is, for those who don't know, a game based on a fantasy movie that didn't do that great with critics but was still pretty popular. Admittedly, I never actually saw the movie all the way through, and it's been quite a while since I saw what I did see of it. The game isn't a completely faithful retelling of the story, but in my experience you can't really do that without totally ruining the game. So why do I like the game so much? First of all, the gameplay.
Gameplay 10-10. It plays just like your average adventure game. Talk to folks in towns, then go out and gain experience in realtime battles with monsters, then enter a dungeon. One thing I found particularly interesting was the fact that when you first acquire a weapon (let's take your first sword as an example), you'll be very slow with it at first. Swords are heavy after all. As you continue to fight and gain experience you'll become faster with your weapon. Then you'll have mastered that sword and it'll be time for something new. Willow also possesses the ability to use magic. They're not spells exactly. It's more like what you see in Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. That is to say you'll get certain items with magical powers. These can be used so long as Willow has enough magical power. This can be restored by items or by certain people, so it's not your traditional magic system. Well, actuall I suppose it is. The spells are just items here.
Control 10-10. Move Willow around with the D-pad and use magic with A. B is the all-important Attack button. Start will bring up the sub screen from which Willow can select items and magics to be used. It's all very simple.
Audio 10-10. I don't recall if it's from the film, but the music is very good. There's a battle theme like in Zelda 2: Adventure of Link. At various points you'll encounter a random group of enemies and the music will change without warning. Very fitting. The other music is very atmospheric as well. When Willow is defeated in battle there's a sad theme that plays, and there are other places where similar sorrowful music is used. Another thing that will occur on occasion is that you'll meet someone who has a task for you or a story to tell. Their theme is sad when you first encounter them, but when whatever troubles them is banished the music will change to a joyful variation of the same song, which is not always easy to do.
The SFX are good as well. There's no sound for swinging your sword (at least not the first one), but spells seem to have their sounds as does Willow when he takes damage.
Story 10-10. The world has been taken over by Bavmorda, a goddess who has been corrupted by darkness. She removed all opposition by transforming Fin Raziel, her opposite, into a small animal. Thus, she felt that her victory was complete. But a race of little people called the Nelwyns had a prophecy that had been handed down for years. One among their number would be able to bring the world out of its age of darkness. The village elder, a wizard known as the HighAldwyn, determined that you, Willow Ufgood, are the chosen one. He charges you with the task of restoring Fin Raziel to her true form and defeating Bavmorda. Thus begins your advventure.
Overall 10-10. Definitely give this game a try. Even if you haven't seen the movie you might still be able to find fun in this game. I certainly did.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/25/02, Updated 03/01/03