"Your everyday hack n slasher"

This game is decent. It has its up and down throughout the game.

Graphics - 8/10

I'll say, the graphics are a strong point in the game. Everything is seen very clearly except for the enemies which only appear as you run up to them. The environments in some areas are very vast and explorable. You can see as far as the eye can see. Eragon and Saphira look fabulous and very welldone. The urgals look kinda like ugly blobs...

Overall, graphics are great in the game :)

Sound - 6/10

The sound isn't very a strong point. The soundtrack is decent but its too quiet to come out of the DS speakers, so you'll have to play in a quiet area [even with or without headphones]. Eragon makes funny sounds when he attacks, and urgals make grunting sounds like normal. There are no voicovers at all so it's all text reading. I think the best thing about the sound would be the soundtrack in some areas of the game [like in the towers or in the heavy forest area were its just birds chirping]

Overall, nice soundtrack but too quite...

Controls - 9/10

The controls are rather quite simple so they make the game very easy and enjoyable to play. the B button jumps, A interacts, Y and X are weak and strong attacks, R button blocks or combine with moving to roll in that direction, L button locks on targets. The rest is pretty much up to the touch screen. With it, you can cast [7] spells by drawing relics and symbols then launching the magic up to the top screen were Eragon casts it in the direction you lunged it. By tapping the screen, you can freeze the game for a few seconds to give yourself time to cast a spell or use an items. You can also toggle the map or equip your bow and arrows [you actually have a limited number of arrows so be careful]. The touchscreen is also used to communicate with Saphira in some points of the game or even controlling Saphira in flying sections of the game [using the touchscreen is much MUCH easier to control Saphira than using the D-pad.

Overall, solid [an fun] controls :)

Gameplay - 7/10

The gameplay is very basic in this game. First off, the game is linear [basically, you'll have a hard time getitng lost] so its straitforward. You get little quests that you can do, mainly collecting items or reaching a destination in the time given, that earn you prizes. some range from concept art, to big herbs, to even expirience for your magic spells. The game is your everyday hack n slasher [think the lord of the rings video games] but with a little RPG mixed in. This game is an Action RPG [as it obviously states on the front cover of the game case]. It's also kind of a ripoff of the Zelda series, because the basic sword fighting techiques are like when Link is fighting his foes. Sadly, one of the things that hurts the game the most is the time put into the game. Its WAY TOO SHORT! I beat the game in less than 6 hours! The game first starts off pretty normal then before you know it, your in Daret, then Gil'ead, and then the Beor mountains! You follow the trail, then your into the varden Settlement. There are some neat sidequest and locations in the game that are pretty neat such as the towers or the underground cave. The towns of Daret and Carvahall look very nice and interactive [heck, they even added Therinsford which was the town featured only in the book [it's the Town where Roran leaves to]

Overall, its a great action RPG, but too short to be appreciated so much.

Is it a rent or a buy? - You decide really. I got this game for Christmas but I would consider renting it, unless your an Eragon fan, then go out and buy this game. You'll enjoy it for the time. I actually heard the GBA version of this game is better, but I never played it yet. If I ever get around to it [or if I even beat the GBA version when I get the chance to, then I'll write a review on that one too.

I hope my [1st] review was helpful to you all. ^_^

[score - 7/10]

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 01/08/07