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Illusion of Time
(The combat system is what makes any RPG.)
Illusion of Time is basically the sequel to Soul Blazer which ws originally thought to be the sequel to Actraiser (but it's not) because some sprites look similar.
Both Illusion of Time and Soul Blazer are top-down action RPGs. In Illusion of Time, combat basically consists of moving and slashing.
The game focuses on Will, a young lad with a big future. (Original, eh?) At the start of the game, you find out that you are capable of telekinesis, and whilst this never becomes an overbearing part of the game, it does play a small, yet significant part in proceedings.
Basically, press a button and small objects move towards you. Objects such as crystals.
After enemies are killed, they leave behind crystals. If all of the crystals in a room are gathered (by defeating all of the monsters), then one of your attributes goes up.
This adds a bit of strategy to the game, but since you have a finite number of enemies to kill and power yourself up, you don't have to wander aimlessly building up levels. Instead, you just have to explore, find those monsters, and whack them! With your flute.
Yes, while I don't know how he does it, Will uses a flute to attack. However, soon you are able to transform into a dark knight who uses a sword, which has a longer range and does more damage. By the time the game ends, you will have used 2 more transformations, both with extra abilities.
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how far I got: completed the game once without getting all the red jewels..
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rating : 43
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Like Super Metroid, this game's manual contained a guide.
But, unlike Super Metroid, the guide didn't leave bits out or leave you to discover the surprises for yourself - it told you where all the items were, how to solve all the puzzles, and tips on beating the bosses (apart from the final boss). It even contained a large amount of the plot!
Maybe someone thought that no-one would play the game unless they were given a guide; maybe someone thought that everyone would give up at the puzzles, never to return. Maybe someone thought that the game was a bit rubbish.
Well, they should have had a bit more confidence.
The ending isn't that great, and neither is the plot, but they serve their purpose.
I never understood how your friends somehow come to you, and yet you can't go back. (It's hard to explain.) Also, if you're trying to find your father who dissapeared at the Tower of Babel, why don't you just go straight there?
I also felt that the game was a bit linear - while you can choose where to go next, it's mainly either to the last town you were in or to the next dungeon. You can't do anything in a different order and whilst this never really bothered me (name 2 RPGs that aren't linear), I feel the need to bring it up and use it as a criticism.
Though the freedom is only a pretence, the route you teke is an enjoyable one. Puzzles, whilst never overly taxing, may well force you to sit and think (unless you just look at the manual of course) and there are a few nice touches.
//WARNING - MINOR DETAIL REVEALED - DANGER RATING 2 (SLIGHT)
Russian Glass for example - a parody of Russian Roulette in which one of 6 glasses is poisoned.
//END WARNING - DANGER EXTINCT
The actual combat is pretty good as well - whilst you get an advantage if you've collected all the crystals, the battles are never really easy. You get a finite number of energy-replenishing items, and I tried keeping them all for the end boss. I had to use 3 before I reached him, and whilst I beat him on my first attempt, I /did/ challenge earlier bosses many times, to keep my inventory full.
If I was to pick 2 faults with the game, the item system may be one. If I had already finished all my herbs, I don't know if I could have defeated the end boss.
The other would be the manual's walkthrough. If I was ever stuck on a puzzle for longer than an hour, I'd just look at the manual and then feel dirty. Maybe self control is in order.
But, to add a further insult, there is a secret level, which can only be accessed by collecting every red jewel. Nothing to do with the crystals the monsters leave, these are hidden in obscure places and to find every one, you really need to look at the manual all the way through.
I wasn't willing to do this, and whilst i enjoyed it the first time around, I'm not too sure I'll enjoy it again.
Overall, this is a top RPG with an all-right plot, some nice touches, decent swordplay and an all-right (not great) ending. If you get the game without the manual, it may be a blessing in disguise. Like all RPGs, replay value is limited.
If you see it going for a good price, pick it up. It's a bit special.
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