Rygar: The Legendary Adventure

"A perfect transition into 3D from the NES Classic!"

Like many gamers who owned an NES, I had a chance to play Rygar. I never did finish the game, but it's visuals amazed me, and I loved the gameplay mechanics. So, naturally I was very intrigued to see a sequel on game store shelves for the Playstation 2. I was not let down.

GAMEPLAY
The gameplay in Rygar: The Legendary Adventure is perfect example of a sound transition from 2D to 3D Gameplay. Rygar still has his diskarmor, and it works magnificently-hitting enemies is rarely a problem, and is every bit as fun as it was in NES-Rygar. From the outset of the game, monsters spawn from the ground for Rygar to punish with his diskarmor, and there are pots scattered around that Rygar can smash to obtain usefull items, such as herbs for his health. But Tecmo went even further; including several different types of diskarmor-along with the standard type that Rygar starts out with, in order to get through different parts of the game, he'll need to obtain hades, heavenly, and water, diskarmor. All of these different diskarmor types have their own unique attacks, which prove valuable to defeating enemies. There are plenty of save states around, so that is not a problem. Solving puzzles-such as opening certain seals in order to gain access to a different area, are challenging, but never to the point of extreme frustration. You will almost never find yourself running around aimlessly, trying to figure out where to go next-the game provides ample clues, and yet the clues are never enough to dampen the difficulty of the gameplay.

VISUALS
Rygar is simply stunning. As you run through the first area, you will come to a point where you can see the sun in the sky-just as in the first Rygar game-and it looks incredible-so incredible that you will probably stop Rygar in his tracks to gaze at it for a while! The enemies and environments are no less stunning. Bosses are enormus, and very well-detailed, and the Greco-Roman environments-from hills and seas to clouds moving through the sky to pillars-all look fantastic.

SOUND
Tecmo really went all-out for the sound in Rygar: The Legendary Adventure. The soundtrack was performed by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, and the choral voices and orchistrated music complements the action in the gameplay perfectly. There is even a song by renowned UK Classical Singer Izzy Cooper! The sounds of Rygar's discarmor crashing against stone pillars are fantastic, as are the sounds of enemies, and even of our hero walking, running, and jumping.

RE-PLAY VALUE
Always important in a game, Rygar will keep you coming back for more because it is just so much fun to play! There are several different levels of difficulty, and that adds to the game's re-play value as well.

FINAL COMMENTS
Several years ago, I used to think that I would never own a Playstation 2; that I would simply stick with much older consoles. But it is games like Rygar: The Legendary Adventure that make me glad that I made the jump to next-generation gaming. I took a chance on this game, and was glad a did. If you own a Playstation 2 and haven't yet played this game; buy yourself a copy. Chances are, that you will not be dissapointed by this beautiful game.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/01/06