GENRE
	Action-RPG
	DEVELOPER
	NST
	PUBLISHER
	Nintendo
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1
	CONNECTIVITY
	No
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Now that Crystalis has been re-released for the GBC, fans of the original are rejoicing. At least I know I was. But is it all it’s cracked up to be? That is the exact question I asked myself prior to playing it.

Before beginning this review I decided to play the old classic version, for comparisons sake. After a few moments of play time, my brain began to swell with all the comparisons between the two version. The differences are quite marginal, that is until you actually compare them head to head, more on that later.

The Graphics are what you would expect out of a Game Boy Game. Nothing utterly spectacular, but it’s not sub-par either. They are improved slightly over the original Crystalis’s with minuscule touches, such as lanterns lighting the way in caverns.

The Audio effects are quite inspiring, although they failed to meet the bar set by theoriginal. For some odd reason, NST decided to change the entire soundtrack. The newsongs are happier and more upbeat. Unfortunately, this detracts from the game’s overallgloomy atmosphere. The music of the original’s was much more dramatic, so I’m baffledas to why they altered the game’s tunes. Oh well, at least the score that replaces it issuitable enough.

The sound FX are a bit more appreciated, all though, they too have been changed.Thankfully, the changes are less noticeable. The sounds of your powering up sword areespecially cool. Also, there is a bit of digitized speech in the game as well. However,thanks to the Game Boy’s crap-ass speaker, you can hardly make out what they are saying. Thank god for head phones!

Again, NST rearranged the plot a bit, this time for the better. Villagers now fill you in a bitmore on what to do and reveal more of the plot. What’s that? You don’t know what theplot is? I’ll sum up the story real quick for you right here and now. Ready? Good, here Igo. Gather the four elemental swords and destroy the bad guy. That’s it in a nut shell, deep huh? If only it were that simple. To complete your quest, you’ll have to overcome themany hazards that await you, including bosses and various puzzles that require solving.

Crystalis is a blend of action & adventure (e.g. Zelda) with RPG elements thrown in for kicks. This means that you battle enemies in real-time, however when you defeat them you gain additional experience points. Very cool indeed.

Along with the four swords are a wide range of magical powers. They vary from thetypical “replenish” spell to the unique flying power. You’ll have to use most of these atsome time or another in your treacherous quest.

N/A

I’ll admit, I’ve been a bit hard on the music and sound, but neither can detract from thefantastic gameplay. I’d be hard pressed to find another title of the same genre this greaton the Game Boy.

8.0/10