Illusion of Gaia

"Apart from its rather weak storyline and rather funky gameplay this is definitely a must-have!"

First off, I know from various sites on the internet that I visit in search of video game music, that Illusion of Gaia is the second installment in the Soul Blazer series, though from what I have read on those games the two aren't even connected except maybe by the fact that they share an incredibly tough boss, Solid Arm. Other than that though, I know little else, although it is my goal to find a copy of Soul Blazer and see if it's as good. Now, with that said, let's get on to the review.
Play/Control 8-10. OK, it's a bit funky. Throughout your journey you will learn many special abilities, but some can be really tough to pull off. THe AUra Barrier is one that comes to mind, since you have to hold down your attack buttons and the keep pressing L and R really fast. Then there's the really annoying aspect of this game's gameplay. Unlike most RPG's, where you have to do an event in order to trigger the next sequence, in IOG you'll find yourself doing a lot of waiting. Yeah, you may do a little exploring of your surroundings, (Edward's Prison, anyone)? Though you don't have to wait very long in most cases it's still very annoying. The longest waiting sequence I found was that part where Will and Cara are adrift on the ocean, where all you do is talk to each other a little, kill fish for food, then talk to each other again. However, in dungeons you will want to be caucious or you'll find yourself wishing for one of those long wait sequences. Believe me, they're challenging. And let me warn you of this: SEARCH EVERY AREA THURROUGHLY! This game's story is very linear, so if you miss an item in an area and then progress to the next area you won't be able to come back and get it. Also, this game has a unique level-up system, which in some ways is cool. It's annoying if you miss one. You see, the way you level up in this game is as follows: Kill all enemies on a map and a powerup jewel will appear. Three types exist in the game, STR, HP and DEF. These jewels aren't randomly placed either, so you want to kill every enemy you can. If you miss a powerup in, say, the Incan Ruins and then get thrashed later by the Vampires in the land of Mu because your stats were too low, you're screwed. This game also includes lives. With each enemy you kill you will recieve what are called Dark Gems. Collect 99 of those to recieve a Renew. This means that if you die in a particular area you will revive in the room where you died with half your life. Some rare Dark Gems will contain a heart that will restore some of your life. Then of course you have healing herbs, but unlike other games these can't be purchased. They must be found, and like the power jewels they are not randomly placed. Also, they're rare. THis means try to hold onto them!
There's also no money system in this game. You find Red Jewels throughout the game, which can be used to trade for items, one of which happens to be one of those very crucial Herbs. There are fifty Red Jewels in all, each time you give the Jeweler Jem some jewels you get a prize. Some of these prizes are the powerups you'll need, HP, STR, DEF and such. You can also get an upgrade to an already powerful special move. If you give the jeweler all fifty jewels, (probably not all at once), you will travel to a special area and discover that he isn't what he seems..
Audio 10-10. I admit here that I haven't beaten this game. I search various websites just for fun, searching for video game music. Illusion of Gaia has a very good score, but no variety. Certain dungeon themes get used a bit too often, but I do have favorites. My favorites have to be the two town themes, one for large cities and one for small villages. The boss theme is pretty cool, too. It tends to stay normal for a little while, then pick up dramatically at places, while always conveying a sense of menace and urgency. The final battle theme remains a tense, fast-paced tune through its entirety, picking up even more in about the middle. The ending theme is the best though, and I could probably listen to it for hours on end. Of the dungeon themes my favorites are the Incan Ruins, (also known as Larai Cliff), the Sky Garden, and the land of Mu. THe Great Wall of China and Pyramid also have good themes. The only really annoying one I find is the theme for Edward's Prison, which repeats in the Diamond Mine and also in situations of great danger. There are some other tunes for other areas. The Dark Space, (save point), theme is quite fitting, with the sound of a ticking clock added to better convey the message that time is of the essence. The theme for caves where there are no enemies, (also heard in the Moon Tribe Camp), is quite good, with a mysterious feel to it. The SFX are cool too, but I'd have to say my favorite is the sound of Kastoth trying to smash you with his hands. This sound is also heard when you use the diamond block to clear a path over some spikes. On the whole, the audio is very well done here. My only complaint is that the theme for the world map makes you want to go to sleep. Fortunately, you have very little control over the map, aside from choosing either to go to the next area or quit, which gives you a chance to save. You basically select to go to your next destination and the CPU takes you there in very little time.
Story 6-10. Will was a young man living in the town of South Cape. Ten years ago he was on an expedition with his father and some other explorers to the tower of babbel. The party met with disaster, and Will was the only one to make it back. Now he began to develop telekinetic powers, not knowing that these powers would one day be used to save the world from destruction by the Chaos Comet, an ancient weapon left behind by civilizations long dead. Two great warriors, Freedan and Shadow, managed to disrupt the orbit of the comet, (whose rays brought destruction to all life), so that it would only return every 800 years. Now, the comet was nearing its next intersection with Earth, when it would again wreak havoc. Will did not know this right at first when he set off. He only knew that he was to deliver a crystal ring to King Edward, and that he didn't have the ring or know of it. Your goal will become clear as you progress, and you will be aided by Gaia, source of all life. Will will make use not only of his own telekinetic powers, but also of the ability to transform into Freedan and Shadow, who will acquire powers of their own. You must stop the comet from destroying the world, and also destroy the Dark Gaia, who caused the ancients to use the comet's powers for evil. This is a weak story when compared to other games, but a good one in itself.
Overall 10-10. If you can find this game, give it a try. Maybe you'll enjoy it as much as I have.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 08/24/01, Updated 03/01/03