Rygar: The Legendary Adventure

"Old School Gone New"

Rygar only gets a nine out of ten because of it's length, and odd camera angles at a few key times in the game. A few more hours longer and it would have been perfect, and while it already is close to perfection length and lack thereof is the only reason to shake your head in disbelief. Rygar is one of the best console games of the year, and a great game with very few flaws. Very few games released this year are this enjoyable to play.

Graphics - 10 - The graphics are great. I mean the backgrounds are just flawless, and Rygar himself is very detailed. From the following of Rygar's hair in the wind to the opening CGI cinemas Rygar screams excellence in ever facet of the game. Just about anything in the game can be struck, destroyed, or just plain maimed. It's really awesome to have that much freedom especially in a Roman environment... It truly is the joy of destruction, and with graphics like these boy is the joy beautiful!

Sound - 10 - That's the other thing that just screams out excellence. Usually Roman scores are not the best, but this one is totally different. Every piece of music throughout the game is a calculated note and effort, and adds another level of design onto an already deeply constructed game. Cue notes of sound and light variances help create an environment that feels Roman and is apart of the flavor that oozes for every ounce of the game.

Game Play - 10 - The best thing about Rygar is that it feels old and new at the same time. Old when it comes to the characters and the flow of the game... New when it comes to the style and execution. Controls are responsive and never lag even with multiple creatures to fight, and Rygar has a ton of features and keeps gaining new weapons and skills throughout the game. Even with the constant changes in weapons and skills they all handle the same...Good. Even with swinging and destroying the game never falters, and constantly controls very well.

Overall 9 - The length is the only thing to complain about in this otherwise wonderful game. If this problem had been addressed in pre-production Rygar would have been a much deeper game. Rygar surprisingly, then would actually be a contender for game of the year. Great graphics, sound, and control make Rygar a pure joy, and one of the top games of an already great console year.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/01/03, Updated 01/01/03