Terranigma

"Play Terranigma! Recommended for anyone who likes games!"

Let's get right to it. I'm not going to tell you anything about the story, first of all because I don't want to give anything away; secondly because all these other reviews do well enough :).

Graphics: Just awesome. It really pushes the limits of the Super Nintendo's powers. The bosses look big and bad (as all bosses do) and the levels are crammed with details: torches flicker and cast shadows on the ground, for example.
I'd rather play Terranigma than some fancy-pants PS2 game with little more to offer than eye candy. They're extremely well done. 9/10

On a side note, the animation: This, perhaps more than the graphics, is what really got me. Every enemy in the game has several forms of movement and animation. A good example is the perytons from the Grecliff level: how they swoop, dive down at you, then fly up and do it again. Some, like the lizards in Zue have special attacks as well.
I much preferred the look of the enemies in this game than in Secret of Mana, which in fact has a similar style. The enemies look more convincing, more alive in Terranigma. 10/10

It's funny to see the main hero (whose name is Ark, but I called him Toma) using the spells which come from the pins (items which release magical effects). See for yourself. For that matter, most of the spells themselves look really cool. The magic system is a bit confusing to use, but it works. They could have put in a few more reasons to use magic, though, i.e. made it a bit more versatile.

The level design is done very well: some graphics are recycled but it doesn't make the game any less interesting. The levels are sufficiently large without being overwhelming, and have a decent amount of challenge to them, although I guess they could have put in a few more enemies (for my taste). 9/10

The story is very interesting, and is definitely one of the finer things about the game. Here you literally save the world: continents, plants, birds, animals, people, etc.
I don't think I've ever seen a game do that. If you want to get a big ego trip by reviving the world one continent at a time, saving all forms of life, aiding civilization to grow and prosper (really!) and just be a hero because 'it feels good to rescue people', then this is your game.
Also the ending is among the most original I've seen in any game. That's all I'll say about that. 10/10

Music: another fine feature of the game. I have only one gripe here: when it's good, it's great (some tunes are better than those of Illusion of Gaia, which has awesome, epic game music) but when it's bad...it's so monotonous it makes you want to hit the mute button. Still, don't turn the game down just for that. The final boss theme is among my favorites of any VG tune I've heard. 9/10

Saving the best for last: the main character. I can't say enough about Toma (Ark for everyone else out there): I have never seen a more detailed, spunky, interesting or well-conceived main hero in all my 10+ years of gaming, and I doubt I ever will. Link looks about as animated as a brick by comparison, and Crono is just a manikin. The things that the hero does and says (the way he talks is even unique: 'Battle Master Toma is your blind date!') are an absolute blast. Some of the things he does are just hilarious: he falls asleep standing up (when hit with a sleep spell), gets burnt to a crisp when hit with fire spells, scarfs down any food in front of him (and then daintily wipes his mouth with a napkin), chugs back some drinks (and even barfs when he eats or drinks something he doesn't like! How many PCs do YOU know that throw up?), gets drunk on sake (Japanese rice wine), chucks clay pots at enemies (like Link in Zelda 3, but Toma can run and jump while he throws them, and they go farther), and even vote in an election. Yes, you read that right. Oh, and he can get his own apartment as well. Cool?

Plus, he fights with a spear (not the usual cliched sword), has several special spear attacks and can even tightrope walk, crawl under small spaces, mountain climb, swim, and so on.
Unlike Crono, not only does this guy talk, he doesn't shut up! His speech is full of spunk and humor, and his heart-of-gold tough guy personality is handled much better than 32-bit heroes like Cloud or Squall. I'd talk about Yomi, but I'll just say that he's also pretty cool and has his own merits. Some of the conversations between the two had me laughing out loud. 10/10!

In closing, don't miss this enjoyable, cool and humorous game. There's so much to do in it and a ton of details to see, plus lots of secrets. It truly is a fitting sequel to Illusion of Gaia (also a terrific game) and gives a great close to the series. I've never written a review for any game before, but after having finished Terranigma, I still can't say enough about it.
And yes, you too can be a Noodle King.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/17/01, Updated 10/17/01