Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sacred Cards

"Not the best of the Yu-Gi-Oh! games..."

Introduction

The Sacred Cards is the latest in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Genre of card games. This game allow you to control a character (yourself) during the Battle City arc of the Anime.

Story:

Basically, your character is friends with Yugi, Tea, and Yugi's friends, just as Kaiba is about to announce the start of Battle City. You have your own deck, and most people there do as well. It's all about dueling, and finding where to go next... Most of the characters you have seen in the anime are there.

Rating:

Graphics: 6

Considering the limited potential of the GBA, the graphics are very good, but not great. Most of the characters you will meet are very small copies of themselves, but they don't really show out in any form for the most part, even when you see the full versions of the characters. Card graphics in minature are poor, at best. But the larger versions are very well done. The new card minature design is decent, but hard to understand. The scenery is the greatest thing there is: It is not bad, considering it is a minature.

Sound: 6

Decent, but not great. The sound isn't outstanding (just your normal battle sounds and music), and doesn't really shine in any area.

Gameplay: 7

Very well done, but quite short. The duels are well done, considering how they are done, but most people will beat the game in a day or two. The movement of your character is easy, and it may be hard to figure out how to get from point A to point B, it still will keep you occupied for some time.
The elemental heirarchy system is okay, but it should not have been included in this game.
The dueling system is decent, but not great.

Storyline: 8
A very compelling storyline. You often times have to make decisions, but they don't affect the game, that much.
Well written, and executed.

Lifespan: 5

Sure, building a killer deck is everyone's dream, but it gets repetitive after a few hundred matches. Merely obtaining all 900 cards isn't easy, but it may be worth it, if you don't decide to give up after beating the game.
If this game had a player vs. player mode, it may have scored higher, but it doesn't.

Final Recommendation

This game scores a 6 overall. If you really like the Yu-Gi-Oh! world, then rent this game. If you do not, then just pass it up.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 11/07/03