Tales of Phantasia

"Fantastic Phantasia"

What else can I say about about this video game except for ''truly breath-taking?!'' Every aspect of this wondrous work of art, whether it be the visuals, the soundtrack, or the simple yet engrossing plot, deserves an honorable mention. A game fit for kings, this is! Truly majestic in every way! Tales of Phantasia is the almighty King of the RPG kingdom, even outranking Square's masterpiece, Final Fantasy III. Weighing these two games is like comparing a mighty ruler to a powerless squire.

Graphics - 10/10
The incredible, well-detailed visuals is only one of the many diamonds studded on the golden crown. Mountain landscapes are absolutely stunning, as well as shadows, reflections, and candlelit sequences. The fluid animation of the characters is also very evident, and I felt like I was experiencing a living painting traversing rough terrain or standing tall on a mountain. I have not seen backgrounds as detailed as these. The appetite of your visually-hungry eyeballs will be satiated at one look of the screen. Prepared to be truly amazed by the excellent, top-notch graphics. It is almost like a combination of Vincent Van Gogh and Walt Disney; smooth, well-detailed characters on a beautiful canvas.

Sound - 10/10
My score was unanimous. Never before have I heard so many diverse styles of music in one compilation! From the sad, melancholy notes of ''Mint's theme'', to the cheerful, compelling, anthem-like vocals of Yukari Yoshida belting out ''The Dream Will Never Die'', your heart will flutter like a butterfly's wings. If you prefer upbeat numbers, several songs worth mentioning are ''Arche's Theme'', ''Take Up The Cross'', ''Hurry Up!'', ''Euclid'' and ''Decisive''. Or if you are the lover of villains, the following tunes are quite fitting: ''Defiance'', ''Emergency'', ''Resurrection'', and the king of all dark, oppressing pieces: ''Midgard''. Even jazz is featured in Tales of Phantasia! Listen to the strumming of basses, and the tickling or ivories in the jazzy works of ''Tasteful'' and ''Good Wine Makes Good Blood''. There are many pieces to that are worthy of hearing. Find them in the game's ''Sound Menu''. The soundtrack is as powerful as Rocky Balboa's punch. Any other soundtrack is a losing opponent when pitted in the ring with Tales of Phantasia .

Plot and Character Structure - 9.5/10
The story of this game is as simple as flipping a coin. But, DO NOT let the simplicity of the plot deceive you. This is a very long, involving story that takes you to the corners of the globe and time searching for Dhaos, an evil, super-natural being. Along the way, you will meet four more interesting and well-developed characters. The protagonist, Cless Alvein, will know the supporting cast of Chester Barklight, his archer ally, The enigmatic, beautiful Mint Adnade, Klarth Lester, who possesses the eloquence of Dr. Frasier Crane and the attitude of The Duke himself, John Wayne. Finally, the hormone-induced Arche Klaine, the dirty-minded harlot who has often fantasizes about about the hero. Throw in a strong, powerful antagonist, Dhaos, and this makes for a story of epic proportions.

In conclusion, Tales of Phantasia is well worth your time. All areas of this game as well as many more will enthrall your senses. The king has been crowned... but will it be dethroned?

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 10/20/01, Updated 08/26/02