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A Kid's Review

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 12, 2008
Author: Amazon User

(This is my son talking) THIS IS THE BEST TURN-BASED RPG EVER!! I don't get why it's getting any bad hype at all. If you don't like all this elemental stuff, you didn't read the box; the graphics are amazing at some points; the plot is awesome; there are plenty of sidequests to go on, i.e Crossbone Isle; and the battle system is amazing. There is only one thing I have to complain about - the automatic defense. Seriously, people, if you were planning to attack someone, and someone else killed em, you seriously wouldn't just defend. But it is still awesome.

So close, yet so far...

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: October 14, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This is definitly one of the best rpgs I have ever played. Sigh...But there's a problem. A big one; folks. Big big big. Tremendous. OUTRAGEOUS! When...you...beat the game...um...It...prevents you from playing your file EVER AGAIN! No...No...No...REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!!REPLAY VALUE!!! huff... huff...So close, yet so far...

X(

Classic GBA Game - Still one of the best

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 02, 2007
Author: Amazon User

There were two great role playing series released for the GBA. Final Fantasy 1-6 and the two Golden Sun games. Both series hold up very well,
and are quite different. I would actually say that the GS games sported
better graphics, quicker gameplay, and a much longer playing time.

golden sun rules

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 10
Date: November 18, 2006
Author: Amazon User

you start out as the chracter issac (u can rename him if u want) and u basically go on an adventure of the world-fight monsters and bosses and get 3 other people in ure party along the way. I loved the game and i played about 48 hours total :). I beat the game so many times over and over again by killing the last boss which is the fusion dragon. Though the fusion dragon isn't tough, deadbeard is (hardest boss in the game) i killed him in like... 15 minutes.(my chracters are lvl 44+) He just takes forever so it's like the same thing over and over again, Issac and garet attacks ivan uses luff and mia heals.

"Rays of light give birth to shadows, revealing the way"---temple plaque

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 11
Date: May 30, 2006
Author: Amazon User

For several months I was obsessed with this game. I logged over 40 hours of playing time and probably more like 60 counting the times I left the game w/o saving because I missed something, couldn't get passed a boss, or wanted to cheat my way at the slot machine at Tolbi Springs--and that was with the aid of a walkthrough. I can't imagine how long it would take to conquer this monster game w/o one; there are so many places to go, hidden things to uncover, and useful powers to master. Since Golden Sun was my first role-playing game, I needed all the help I could get.

I loved this game! I was disappointed that there was no conclusion to the story here (that is on the sequel Golden Sun: The Lost Age), but then I realized that I would just need to play more GS, and the more is better when it comes to a game like this. It is very complicated and, at times, incredibly challenging but, with a detailed walkthrough, even a novice like me whose previous proudest video game moment was beating Pitfall II on my Atari 2600 can become a GS master (or mistress as it were). I love that you can save the game almost anytime save for during a battle. You can even save in the middle of a puzzle so you can get tricky parts out of the way and just focus on the next. I wish all games were like that.

You start out as a kid named Isaac (you can customize the name; in fact, if you hit the select button a bunch of times at the start, you can name all the characters). Isaac lives with his mom in a town called Vale. Right away, there is danger lurking as the peaceful town will eventually be destroyed by a giant boulder. A kid named Felix will be swept away in a stream (he will be key to the sequel). You and buddy Garet meet two mysterious adepts, Saturos and Menardi, who are up to no good. They challenge you to a fight. Being just kids with no fighting psynergy, you have no chance. This defeat inspires you and Garet to build up your powers in the aftermath of the avalanche. There is a lot of dialog at the beginning which may make the game appear slow and boring but, be patient, the game will have you hooked before long.

You will use the psynergy you acquire through the game in fighting and, especially, in completing certain tasks like lifting, moving, and carrying heavy objects, turning puddles into ice, and reading minds to help you in your adventure. You also have Djinn: cute little creatures who can fight for you or protect you in battle or, if placed on stand-by, can summon the planets to give you enormous powers. By the time you face Saturos and Menardi again at the end of the game, some 40 hours of logged playing time later, you will have no trouble leveling your revenge.

The final boss isn't all that hard, even the Fusion Dragon they unleash. I defeated them twice, first try each time. The most difficult boss is Deadbeard who lives on a sunken ship at the bottom of the dungeon on Crossbone Island. It took me forever to beat this guy! The trick (and this trick can be used on other big bosses) is to alternate Djinn Flash (with Garet) and Ground (with Isaac) to limit the damage and fight only with Ivan using attack Djinn and summons while Mia is primarily used for healing. This strategy takes a long time--maybe 40 minutes--but it works!

What I like the most about this game are all the neat places you see, various tasks you complete, and all that cool music you hear. There is a different tune for almost every place you visit. I would actually like a CD of all the different GS tunes. You do not have to complete GS to play Lost Age, but I highly recommend it as I recommend getting a thorough, detailed walkthrough. You will get the most out of the game and, before long, you will have mastered both! Good luck adept!

Kinda Cool but not My Thing

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 5 / 9
Date: May 16, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I bought this not knowing what I was getting into. I learned that I am not a real big fan of the Japanese-style RPGs and more of a fan of the DnD style whether it's Diablo or the TSR Goldbox games. What can I say? I likes me some hackin'!

I had quite a bit of fun at first exploring, fighting, solving puzzles, etc. The game does really have some unique twists on things as others have noted like the magic system, the Djinn, the class options. Some of the locations attracted my imagination quite bit. Many attack effects were just plain neat. You gain a power to mind read early on and that combined with the dialog is by itself pretty satisfying a lot of the time. I have no trouble believing this is a superb title in its genre.

I finished the game but it proved to be a forced march and I was very ready for it to be over. I really wanted that satisfaction of beating it, plus there were some nifty items and combats at the end that eased the monotony. Things that took its toll on me were:

A) Combat. The "Bad guys line up here, good guys line up here. Guy 1 jumps to other side, swings, jumps back. Guy 2 jumps to other side, swings, jumps back" style of fighting isn't inspiring. There was a lot to like about combat but the style in general makes me a lot less interested.

B) Railroading. I don't mind not having any options. What drives me insane is you are given the chance to choose but rarely does the choice matter and the execution of that is so clumsy that it's almost insulting. Example: Very early on, your friend Jenna asks you to go get the Stars for your mentor, Kraden. You get a choice on whether to do it. If you say "Yes", she says "Cool!!!" and you're on your way. If you say "No", she says "Don't make me mad!" and asks you again. This repeats until you say "Yes" - you can't even cancel the dialog and walk around. Why even offer the choice? That was the first time I thought about reselling my copy.

So after a while I got the feeling I was watching the story more than participating, with periodic puzzles and combat in between. That said, I thought the story was A-OK but I also haven't been so spoiled for (apparently) boilerplate RPG story lines like other reviewers. I wish I'd played around with the nifty-looking class system more. Golden Sun was some fun and some good genre edification but I'm real glad it's over.

Great old style with new ideas

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 4
Date: April 23, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Finaly passed the game within a month since i started totaling about 34 hours of gameplay for me. Had to use some hints along the way to figure out some of the puzzles so it wasn't too bad. The puzzles weren't too hard to figure out since if you mess up you can always walk out of a room and the puzzle resets. There are however a few puzzles that require backtracking several screens, making you wonder what the clicks/levers were for but mostly it isn't something that would stop you in your tracks in playing the game.

The sound is realy bad, very repetitive with perhaps 3 tracks that plays for the entire lenght of the game. However, since it is a GBA game then it's onpare with the other GBA games. The sound however isnt something that would keep you from playing this old classic that must be very cheap by now.

The game play utilizes the old style rpg gameplay where you attack in a turn based mode. However, they added a few more options to this style by adding special djinn that you can use to boost your stats or use them directly as a summon. Then the melee fight was augmented with the additions of weapons that uses magic the way a caster would. This adds a degree of magic to your boring brutes that you use at the front lines, giving them a new dememsion. Golden sun took what is traditional and added a few features to it to keep it interesting but dont look for anything radical. The standard old school rpg is very present.

The linear gameplay is apparent from the start and doesn't change much as you go on. Fortunately, toward the middle you are allowed to backtrack and go to old regions if you wish to finish all the corners of a dungeon that you left behind for all the rare items.

I enjoyed this game from start to finish. Graphics is nothing new and sound isn't much to look for but if you know what you're getting into then Golden Sun can only please you more with their gameplay. I would recomend all rpg fans to pick this one up, especialy if they didn't play the second part yet since the characters can be reused with stats and all.

Best GBA Game Ever!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: April 21, 2006
Author: Amazon User

If you have a GBA and want a great RPG then you should totally buy this game. However, if you hate games that have a ton of dialogue, then you might get pretty annoyed by this game. I happen to like games with a lot of dialogue. Overall, this was a fun, challenging game with a great story.

Golden Sun

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: January 11, 2006
Author: Amazon User

The very first RPG I played other the Ledgend of Zelda and Final Fantasy and it was the best rpg i have ever played . I have even gone back and played over and over. I recomend it to any age.

A new direction for me from Pokemon games

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: December 19, 2005
Author: Amazon User

First off, I am a 50 year old gamer. I do not like arcade or 2D scrolling types of games so this type of game is my favorite. I started with Pokemon and Zelda games and then I discovered Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy, and Golden Sun. Some reviewers don't like the extensive dialogue, but I find something will be said to give me a clue what I need to do next and add furthur to the story. Patience is a virtue.

Golden Sun is a challenging game. To be honest I resorted to refering to a walkthrough on numerous occasions with this game. Sometimes because I was stuck, sometimes to see if I had missed any Djinn. The world is large and without the map that came with the original game, I had no idea where to find some of the locations without a walkthrough. I liked this game so much, I started looking for a used copy of Golden Sun The Lost Age before I was half done with it. By the time I had finished Golden Sun I was ready to jump into The Lost Age.

This game reminds me of Tales of Symphonia for GameCube that my son plays except the battles are turn based instead of real time. When you set your characters to do an attack, you have to look at the opposing party and decide which opponent needs to be eliminated first because some monsters do much more damage than others. Are the battles too easy? I don't think so. If you think about what you are doing they are easier though. The final battles were challenging, but not impossible as I have found with PC based RPGs such as Baldur's Gate or Icewind Dale II.

I am now playing The Lost Age and feel quite at home with the system and the Psynergy moves the characters can do. I also understand the roles of the Djinn much better now. Golden Sun and The Lost Age are no longer available in stores but used copies can be found at local stores for 15-20 bucks. If this type of game interests you, I would highly recommend it.

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