Rygar: The Legendary Adventure

"It's like a video game pie."

Rygar has just about every video game element invented mixed in its batter. Are you one of those nerds that like RPGs? Or maybe you're normal and like action games? Perhaps you are one of those weirdos that likes puzzles? Or one of those crazy people that likes collectin stuff or unlocking things? Whatever the hell you are, Rygar can give you a slice to fill your hole.

First thing I noticed is ''Wow, this game has good graphics.'' This immediately got me excited because we all know that graphics are the most important part of all video games. The world is very pretty and this one time I actually stopped for a second to scope out this island in the background. Then I stabbed a worm in his head with my disk armor. World 6, Arcadia, is this neat floating island that you have to get to by flying on magical rocks that float around for no apparent reason except that they are magical. The view is gorgeous, and I found myself constantly jumping off my magical rock to get a closer look at the clouds and mountains below.

How's the game play? Well, all true video gamers wouldn't care about game play, but since you asked: it's good. Like I said, whatever style of game you want, you can make Rygar into. The game is overloaded with mixes of about every genre and elements from popular games. The game's three weapons can be upgraded three levels like Onimusha. The game's camera is automatic and you gain skills like Devil May Cry. The game has summons and hp/attack/defense attributes like all modern RPGs. There is even a ''Mystic Stone'' system, which is identical to the Materia system in FF7 and the imbue system in Diablo 2. The game play also requires a bit of puzzle solving, similar to Zelda's mix of action and puzzles. There are tablets and letters scattered throughout to read like those survival horror games. Just like Metroid, Rygar can swing from little balls floating in the air and can retrace his steps when he gets new skills to get to previously inaccessible areas. Rygar's disk armors can even pull off combos like a fighting game. It's like a party in my PS2, and everyone's invited!

The music is good, and some chick named Izzy sings the games theme song. I think I heard she's British or somethin, but it sounds alright.

The game's story is crazy. But in a GOOD kinda crazy. The game pulls a bunch of crazy Greek mythology stuff and for some reason blends it in with the Roman Empire. How can Aristotle and Alexander the Great and Cleopatra be chillin in the same time frame? Why is Aristotle flyin around with wings? Why does Cleo get stabbed and then walk around fine in the next 3 cut scenes? My answer is: who cares? I don't think they were tryin to make it historically accurate, and if they were, then I declare this the best game ever. I didn't even really pay attention to the story anyway. Graphics are much more important.

I recommend this game because it totally reeks of awesomeness. The game is fun and the graphics are super fantastic. You can play the game whichever way you want to suit your tastes, and you got plenty of crap to unlock and mystic stones to locate. Buy it now. Be Rygar. Be the Legend.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/30/02, Updated 11/30/02