GENRE
	Role-Playing Game
	DEVELOPER
	Monolith Software
	PUBLISHER
	Namco
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1
	CONNECTIVITY
	no
	BUY NOW AT

Late last year Namco announced two massive RPG’s exclusive to for our favorite home console, Tales of Symphonia and Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean. Well, nearly a year and a half later we finally get our paws on Baten Kaitos, and I for one didn’t want to stop playing to write this review, but nonetheless I’m here for all of you that have taken me away from a truly amazing game. To make things quick, buy this game. If you want to know more first or if you’d just like to read my ramblings, scroll down and enjoy.

visuals

I could sum the visuals up in one simple word: unbelievable. The graphics in this game are the most astounding I’ve ever seen pour from my Nintendo GameCube. The worlds you will travel through are full of brilliant colors that will leave you looking around in amazement while your character continues to run into the wall, not realizing you’re still holding left on the joystick. I’ve seen good use of colors before, but this is just crazy. Each flower is bright and beautiful, brought to life with gentle swaying motions in from a whispering wind. Each world has it’s own theme, and it is portrayed with brilliance. Some areas have beautiful clouds that billow across the screen, and yes, you can walk through them. Other areas have waterfalls that are so full of detail they look almost real, no joke. The worlds in this game are brought to life so intensely, you might get swept away in a world entirely your own, they’re that good.

If the worlds are good that means the rest is right? Of course. The character models in this game are just as good as the worlds are. Each character is shown off with an amazingly original wardrobe and boasts an incredible array of details. From small designs on Kalas’s pouch to the fantastic design of his sword, the detail is almost overwhelming. It’s something I love to see in my games.

The effects in this game are just insane. Almost every effect could cause you to lose your train of thought and blow your next plan of action. They are each so complete and visually stunning my jaw remains open throughout every fight. I love to use the special moves not only because they do so much damage, but because I get to watch them play out as well. From spells, special moves, and normal attacks, the effects will leave you greatly pleased, or even speechless.

The one thing that I was very skeptical about at first was one graphic technique I thought I’d never see in a game of this caliber, pre-rendered backgrounds. Now before you go scoffing away, let me tell you something good; they are just as stunning as everything else this game’s visuals have to offer. They are full of rich and amazing detail that could knock your socks off. Each area you’ll visit has little touches to it that bring these seemingly dull, simple worlds to life in a way that could leave you awed. There are many moving objects within each small setting that breath life into everything around you. Whether it’s branches of a tree or flowers swaying in the wind, waterfalls and rivers that flow with unbelievable detail, or even small creatures roaming about in towns, these little details are what make Baten Kaitos so amazing.

Some of the visuals in this game cannot be described with my current vocabulary, others may be able to get the job done better but this is one game that you cannot appreciate from screens or trailers, you have to witness it yourself, firsthand.

audio

The audio in this game matches the visuals one to one. The music is very memorable and I find myself whistling the tunes long after I’ve turned off the game. The sound effects are the same way, but I don’t whistle those. The impact of a blade onto a creature definitely delivers the punch you would expect. Spells and special attacks do the same thing; sound fantastic.

I wish I could say the same thing for the immense amount of voice acting though. The only drawback this game had had to be this, one of the most important things in the game. Voice acting either has do be done with precision, or not at all. That’s my philosophy when it comes to voice in video games. Baten Kaitos is sort of a hit and miss game, each time a character talks outside of battle it sounds as if they are speaking into a small metal bucket. It’s very annoying but after a few minutes you learn to ignore it. On the other hand, during battle the voice acting is magnificent. From grunts to taunts, it sounds great. It most certainly isn’t the same high quality Tales of Symphonia has but it does do what it’s supposed to and is very acceptable.

gameplay

The core gameplay in Baten Kaitos revolves around traveling from place to place and fighting through small and large battles on your way. As you walk around different areas you will encounter creatures that, if touched, will kick off a battle. If you’ve played Tales of Symphonia you will be very familiar with this form of encounters. It is a more than welcome alternative to the very annoying random battles used in other RPG’s.

The world of Baten Kaitos uses a type of magic to trap the “Essence” of a variety of items in cards called “Magnus”. Magnus is used in and out of battle in many different ways. There are certain Magnus that allow you to attack or defend during battle while others are used to trade or deliver items to characters you may encounter. It’s an ingenious way of manipulating the world and it works in a very unique and understandable way.

The fighting in Baten Kaitos is something we have yet to see in the gaming community. Each battle begins with a draw of cards that are placed into your hand. Your next step is your commands. You will have to choose whichever Magnus is appropriate for the situation, if you are on the offensive you can either use a normal attack, one powered by a certain attribute (i.e. water or fire), spells, special attacks, healing attacks, or a variety of others items that have different effects. After you have attacked it is your enemies turn and you are required to choose a card to use in defense for the oncoming attack, but you’ll have to be quick. If you’re too late you won’t be able to defend. You continue to play out these rounds until either you or your foe are defeated. The battle system goes much more in-depth and you can pull of some great strategic moves if you play your cards right.

When you are attacking it is recommended that you choose the cards in a particular order, putting the cards “Spirit Number” into consideration is a move that can make or break a battle. A Spirit Number is the number found on the corners of your Magnus, if they are lined up in a straight (ascending or descending in order, it doesn’t matter) it will cause a greater amount of damage than a normal attack. You can also use the cards in a pair, this is not as effective but it does more than a normal attack nonetheless. Both of these are an example of a Combo that you can pull off during your turn.

There is a very interesting way to use certain Magnus during battle that will stir your curiosity and creativity quite a bit. Multiple Magnus can be used to make new ones depending on what order they are used and what type they are. For example, if you had a small bonsai tree and a dagger you could use them together to make a new Magnus. Confused? I’ll explain. If you first use the bonsai on your opponent it does nothing, but if it’s followed by the use of a dagger the result is a pile of twigs. You can then use those twigs preceding a fire spell to enhance the power of the magic. Little things like this are all over in the world of Baten Kaitos and it’s just a matter of finding out which cards can be used in what order to produce new Magnus. It’s a great little addition to a game entirely unique in itself.

multiplayer

N/A

overall

I admit, I’ve played through dozens upon dozens of games and I have never seen a game with graphics like this. Though the worlds were portrayed through pre-rendered backgrounds it caused no problem whatsoever. With the little touches of detail they were brought to life more than any other game I’ve played. The audio is just as good and the gameplay is new, unique, addictive, and fun. If you like RPG’s, games with gorgeous graphics and great audio, or if you’re looking for a welcome new twist on turn based strategy, this game is for you. I’d pretty much recommend it to anyone that has read this. I absolutely love it.

8.6/10