Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories

"It's time to duel! Erm... okay."

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Yu-Gi-Oh! I love the show, the card game, and a PSX game seemed like a nice next step in the series. From the outside, this looks like it would be a true-to-life translation. Well let me be the first to tell you; be warned before you venture into this game.

Graphics: 4/10
Ok, I admit, Konami didn't have much to work with, looks wise, for a graphically spendid game. It would have been fine, I mean, who expects a graphically advanced game out of a card game. Not me, for one. The big problem is the 3-D charecters used in the optional ''battle phases''. (you can use 'em by pressing square on the monster you attack, but I won't reccomend it) One, the models are bad, bad, bad. Two, the scenes take longer to load and sohw it that if you started one of them when the game came out, you should be done in about a year or two.

Gameplay: 6/10
Alright, this is where the game really shines, even though it really doesn't have a tough act to follow. The game is fun if you just watch the show and don't know the mechanics of the card game. The gameplay is simple enough; attack, magic, trap, attack, attack, defend etc. ad nauseum. But those of you who routinely PLAY the card game will be dissapointed. There are no card effects (which means; you guessed it: A completely useless Man-Eater Bug), no multiple card lay-outs, no using de-spell on face down magic, for all magic goes up immediately, the gameplay really dissapoints a card game fan.

Sound: Horrible
All I have to say is, repitition is NOT the key when it comes to music. How could a company who produces games with new and original and plentiful songs (*cough* Dance Dance Revolution *cough*) create such an annoying and repetitive song? This song is the only thing that plays during duels (98.65% of the time). Ok, I should be fair, there's a super-funky Egyptian tune that plays in Egyptian dream areas, but most of the game takes place in the present, not the past, so we have an amazingly pop-like future-chic Casio ditty put on repeat most of the time.

Rent or Buy? Depends
If you're like me and enjoy the card game, I would say rent, then make a decision on your own. I know, it's a tough one. But if you're just looking for a decent card game and you like the Kids' WB tie-in (there's a buncha charecters snatched right from the game, albeit slightly different names) I'd say just go ahead and get it. It's cheaper than alot of things that could entertain you, and it isn't horrible, just average.

The Last Word
This game would be a good example of a game that, if the graphics and gameplay were cleaned up, it would be great. Sound can be avoided. Mute it, punch in your favorite artists' CD, and continue playing. Can someone say, possible PS2 sequel?

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 10/22/02, Updated 10/22/02