"A boy who is a Spirit Tamer? It’s worth a look."

A good game from THQ Inc. and Nintendo, considering it’s the first RPG for the N64. It has an original battle system and soft music. Many things make it a good game, but little flaws and a few average areas kill it.

Gameplay: It’s actually very simple. You just move around with the Joystick and talk to people with the A button. You also pick up items with the A button. You have to go to a menu to use items inside and outside of battle. Also, all of the spells you have gained can be found by pressing one of the C buttons. Each button corresponds with one of the four elements. The battle system is new, yet quite simple. It’s a mixture of real-time fighting and turn-based. I’ll explain. While fighting, you can move around to avoid the enemy’s attack or to get closer to a certain enemy. Also, you can step out of the battle area to run away. You can do all of this while casting spells, using items, and attacking. When you cast a spell, attack, or use an item, then you have to stand still for a second. To attack, you have to be very near the enemy you wish to attack and for spells you have to be within a certain range to use them. It also helps to be closer to the enemy because then you have a higher probability of hitting. I say that the battle system is a little demanding, but it’s still simple and fun. 9.5/10

Sound: This is an above average area. The music goes with everything such as fighting or being in a town. I like the travel music best because it sounds energizing, like you wouldn’t mind to continue till you get somewhere it stops. The sound effects are good too. They sound strange, but of course the creatures in the game aren’t that normal either. The attack sounds are probably the best sounds in the game. You can hear the claws slashing and the wind swirling clearly. Nobody talks in this game, and I believe it would have been better if they did. Nothing amazing, but still pretty good. 8/10

Graphics: The characters are simple in this game. They didn’t do anything special with them or anything extra than most games on the N64. They also look a little goofy. Some of the monsters are very VERY strange. Also, Brian has this little piece of hair that always sticks up (I guess he was modeled after Alfalfa). Though they do look nice, they are a little less smooth than I expected. The only thing I could say looked spectacular would be the final boss. The best part of the game would be the backgrounds. They are beautiful and well generated. Anyway, the items look nice in the menu and the spells look pretty good, but they still don’t make up for the characters look. 6/10

Story: This area is probably the best in the game. It starts out with everything being peaceful in Celtland and everyone is happy. Sounds pretty regular for most games, doesn’t it? The Spirit Tamers keep the land in peace by having a special pact with Spirits of Nature. But soon an evil spirit takes the book that holds all of the Spirit Tamers magical secrets, the Eletale’s Book. All of the Spirit Tamers go on a journey to get it back and vanish. So, this leaves the main character, a Spirit Tamer apprentice named Brian, to retrieve the Book and find the other Spirit Tamers by himself. Along his journey, Brian must gain information from all the kingdoms he travels to and gain harmony with the four Spirits of Nature. Who knows what is in store for our small hero and his staff. 10/10

Replayability: This is a low area. I don’t know of many reasons you would want to play this over again after you beat it the first time. There are very few secrets and extras in this game. The only times I’ve ever replayed it is when I’m powering up spells to see what some look like or I’m looking for one of the sparse secrets. That’s about it for this area. 4/10

I gave this a 8 because it was a great game with a good story. If they had something extra in a few of the areas, I think it would have been a hit. I recommend people rent this before they buy it to see if they like it or not. Some might get aggravated by the battle system or some of the nearly impossible bosses.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/12/00, Updated 07/12/00