Saiyuki: Journey West

"Pretty good strategy RPG"

It's going to be a real treat for strategy RPG fans this year. First, Saiyuki, a Koei game that is pretty much only known by the genre fans, and then, Hoshigami, a well known game from Atlus which launches in November 2001. However, Saiyuki is not selling well at all. As I bought the game, the clerk at the store told me that I was lucky to get this, since it had already been discontinued. So, if you are planning to buy this game, which you should, because it's a good game, you'd better get it now while you still can get it, before it disappears in the realm of discontinued, such as Valkyrie Profile and very soon, Persona 2.

With that aside, Saiyuki is a good game that will please fans of tactics RPGs. It runs on a similar engine that FFT ran on. However, there are a few new things that are added in. You have an ability in the game called ''Werechange''. This transforms your character into a stronger character, that will up your HP and attack power. However, like most good things, nothing lasts forever. You have an IP bar that will soon run out, so only use the werechange when you truly need it.

Saiyuki also relies mostly on the way you position your characters. If you do something wrong, say goodbye to your character. Even in the first mission, in order to win, you must postion your character correctly or else you'll feel the wrath of your enemies. While this does seem a bit tricky, you'll adapt to it. The game isn't the hardest strategy RPG ever, but it will offer a challenge even for veterans.

The rest is just good tactics fun. 3D battlefields, control of a handful of characters, eliminate all enemies, get to this point, and all your other elements of a turned based strategy game.

There's plenty of subquests here, especially the Dojo missions which can really up the levels of your character. However, there isn't much reply within. The game will take you about 40 hours, but will take longer with the dojo missions. However, just like many other strategy RPGs, once you finish the game, there isn't any real reason to do it again. Unless you want to play the game as the opposite sex.

Saiyuki's story is based on a Chinese myth. You play as either a boy or girl (you choose in the begining) and you play the role of a monk. One day, you receive a vision from a goddess who tells you to make your way from china and go visit the thunder temple in India. Your name gets changed to Sanzo, and your quest begins from there.

Graphically, Saiyuki isn't bad. It reminds me of slightly better graphics then Vanguard Bandits's.

The music isn't bad either, but nothing here is to write home about.

So, Saiyuki will please most fans of the genre. It's fun, easy to play, and will make pass of the time until the monster Hoshigami comes out. However, if you aren't a fan of strategy RPGs, Saiyuki won't change your mind. Still, if you're going to get this game, you'd better do it now, before you miss your chance completely.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 09/18/01, Updated 09/18/01