"Horrible and unrealistic graphics don't make this game successful."

I caught my eye on this game as the game stated, ''Very different feeling for strategy RPG'' and I spend my money on it, thinking it will be a good change after playing Worms 2 and other strategy-based RPG for a long time. At least, all RPGs I played before are definitely good and last for a long time though some RPGs such as Final Fantasy Mystic Quest and is two times better than Icarus: Sanctuary of the Gods. The title itself sounds incredibly stressed out. The developer wanted to make the game looks cool and sophisticated but ends up making the RPG terrible.

Graphics - 7
Despite all the hype that it has fantastic 3D modeling and realistic graphics, it don't have the real feel to it, whether 'cartoony', realistic, plain-looking or not. Not to mention that it does not have nice graphics though I guess they just fit into a game like this. Lightning, smoke, fire, water and all other elements in this game looks perfectly stupid. The so-called detailed characters are not true at all as they look horrible. The enemies just look quite like mud-ghost haunting around the dungeons, not even realistic as this game had bragged about.

The background itself did not even enhance anything towards the graphics but make the game even worst. I don't know whether the developers are just too lazy to create beautiful graphics or just plain lazy. Just to say that I'm not criticizing, this game could be one of the best RPG if the developers are more concern and take more initiative to upgrade Icarus to a better game.

The FMV sequences are certainly better than the graphics in the game but sadly enough, there are only two or three such cut-scenes that you can see. One at the beginning and one at the end when you finished the game. I just prefer the FMV sequences most of all but still, they could be much better and can be improved. The characters themselves look odd with odd names.

Music - 8
The background music that is played throughout the game is definitely original. They're pleasant to hear and most music comes through in the right time and right situations. The sound effects are not really that great but just nice for this game. Example, the sound of lightning doesn't really sound very real but at least, they add something to Icarus.

Gameplay - 7
An original feature in this game is to have a new type of system, Class Up and the usual one, Level Up. The levels will have some sort of relation to the Class Up system because certain classes that your characters will obtain are based on the levels that you are now. Although that is a nice feature, this game can be your worst and hardest game you've ever played.

You need to think and spend you money wisely because the only way to defeat enemies and bosses are to have the right equipment, shields, accessories and other stuffs, other than having a high level. Let say if you have spent all your money buying items but less on weapons, you're 100% risked that you will lose in a battle because the more powerful your weapons are, the better chance and faster you'll win a battle.

Every battle you're engaged in, it will be noted (well, all battles here must be entered, no secret battles or such) and there are more than 50 such battles. Even the battle system is quite original and unpopular as most RPGers may never heard of it before. This battle system will have square boxes around the whole area and you can be in dungeon, forests, city and all sorts of places. The treasure boxes which contain important items and weapons will be in the battle instead of outside of the battle.

The magic system uses MP (Magic Power) which usually consists of lightning attacks, fire, water and the rest. Some magic have 'summon-type' from Final Fantasy VII which calls the demon from hell, king of lightning and etc. to come and join the battle with you (the person that you have called are controlled by the computer. You can also expect healing powers later on by one of the characters, Lydia. Now, the special attack will use your HP (Health Points) and you have to be careful using it or end up easily killed. The special attacks are certain much more powerful than magic so use them when you are in tight situations.

Other than that, you're mostly in battles, battles and more battles. You'll fight with pirates, human, soldiers, archers, gnomes, monsters and when the whole game is focused only on battles, you will see how boring it is.

Story - 8
The story is about Dreus, the main character to avenge against his closest friend's death, Guile after Colias, a wizard killed him and destroyed the Coshark Mercenary (what a name!). Helena, his fiancée, together with his other friends joined the Mercenary and promised to rebuild it. This story is mostly about tragedy and it's a pretty exciting story line.

Replay Value - 5
What replay value? This game is so terrible that I would dearly give it a 1 and the replay value is certainly out of the game. As the game is difficult, added with astonishingly dumb graphics, you won't spend your time replaying all over again a game like this, provided it has special features that will keep you tuning over.

Overall - 6
As we approach to more advanced year and new millenium, you can certainly consider this game worthless to buy as super-advanced graphics truly beat this game a hundred times. You better spend your money on other games as Icarus is a real disappointment.

Sanctuary
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- Cool Class Up system.
- Nice soundtrack music.
- Unique square battle system.

Icarus
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- Boring to play after you complete the game.
- Simply terrifying graphics!
- I repeat, simply terrifying graphics!

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 08/28/00, Updated 08/28/00