Alundra

"The Greatest RPG I've ever laid eyes upon"

Now, the first thing you're thinking is, "How can the game get a score of 9 but be the greatest RPG?" Well, Alundra has one downside (to some it isnt a downside, thats why its the greatest RPG to me). This is the incredibly high difficulty level! I have spent hours stuck on just one dungeon only to find that there's an incredibly hard boss at the end. While this looks like a drawback, it is actually one of the many things that make this game shine.

The 1 point deducted from the score is for the impatient player. Any person who is impatient will NOT like this game. On the other hand, if you think most RPGs are too easy, then you will praise Working Designs for this awesome game. Let's go into detail.

Firstly, the music. The soundtrack is great. Whenever Alundra is in a dream (extremely cool, he's a dreamwalker!), you hear this moody music complete with bloody screams of terror. The sound effects aren't going to make you jump for joy, but they dont get annoying either.

The graphics are also a downside to the game. This is what most people would think about this game at first glance. But when you realize that the characters dont look out of place as most do in the latter RPGs (Xenogears, Suikoden, etc), you grow to appreciate this game's they-wont-hurt-your-eyes graphics.

Aaah, and now the fun factor. If you are impatient, I suggest you dont buy this game as it wont be a fun experience. But, if you are tired of the other RPGs which can be beaten with a snap of the fingers, you are now at the gates of heaven. You WILL (emphasis on will) stay up all night playing this game. I still have not beaten this great game yet. (I got to the last dungeon and got my (_I_) kicked!!!) This game is worth every penny in your pocket (and in your piggy bank, and in your OTHER pocket, and inside your couch).

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 11/01/99