GOLDEN SUN

Only one thing has been missing from the Game Boy Advance's year. That is a good RPG. Nintendo hopes to remedy this with the release of GOLDEN SUN. But can the game keep you staring at your tiny light-sucking screen for the abnormally long amount of time that an RPG demands?

What surprised me was how well this game compares to my favorite RPGs on the Super NES. There is a super-deep plot that twists and turns. The gameplay is tight and well-refined and most random battle systems work well. I'm not going to go into the specifics of the plot, but you play out the role of a swordsman named Isaac. It's the typical hero of an RPG roll, but he works well in it and you'll encounter several other hero characters as the game progresses.

After the nice long opening story-telling sequence (yawn), you start to get rolling in the game. One word of warning: play GOLDEN SUN first where you get enough light (preferably under the real golden sun) and away from distractions, because you don't want to miss a key piece of the story. The story is one element that makes the game so excellent. While I don't think it really compares to some of the best RPGs ever released (FINAL FANTASY VI for instance), it is very good.

There are plenty of battles to fight in GOLDEN SUN and just as many puzzles to solve. Magic users are frequently saviors in your quest to open the next passage. There are plenty of tasks to complete and multiple characters to run into. It all makes for one giant and long playing experience, a major plus for gamers traveling this holiday season.

There is also a really cool part where you must collect Djinns ala Pokemon. These guys can turn your characters into serious powerhouses capable of summoning or using massive offensive and defensive attacks. It's a really cool addition that adds an extra cool element to the game.

The graphics in GOLDEN SUN are fantastic. While they aren't really action based, they push the GBA to the limit in the detail and color category. The maps, enemies, characters and spells are beautiful and are created in a stunning amount of detail. On the other side, the music is done very well and carries all the necessary emotion along with the story. All of the technical details have been well polished and the game really does shine.

It takes a lot for me to like an RPG. A good story, strong battle system and fantastic music are the basic building blocks. But GOLDEN SUN goes beyond this with fantastic graphics, a great battle system and tons of little extras. It's a great way to pass the time on any trip, or even just to sit around and play at your house. GOLDEN SUN is one of the best RPGs released in a long time, one that rivals some of the weaker FINAL FANTASY games.

If you own a Game Boy Advance, GOLDEN SUN is a must-own.