GS Golden Sun Dark Dawn Review

http://www.gamespot.com/ds/rpg/goldensunds/review.html

[spoiler] 7.5 [/spoiler]

• Gorgeous visuals
• Appealing gameplay
• Lengthy quest.

• Quality of localization is inconsistent

seems solid

I was expecting an 8.5 but I wonder why this game received less than its predecessors

Looks good, but it's unfortunate that the game doesn't seem to have lived up to its predecessors' greatness. GamerForca

Actually, it's better than its predecessors. Don't let the low scores fool you.

The reason why the score is low is because the game has similar faults as the first two games such as slow-pacing, long drawn out dialogue, and old-school gameplay. But as far as the game goes, it's better than the first two games. It's just a bit stuck in the past.

Read other reviews like from IGN, Gametrailers, or especially 1up. I think they mention that Dark Dawn is a significant improvement and better game than the first two GBA games, but it's held back when compared to today's standards compared to the more top DS JRPGs like Dragon Quest IX, FFIV DS remake, or SMT Strange Journey.

I think 1up said it the best: it's an improvement on the Golden Sun formula but still falls short from greatness.

Which is why Dark Dawn isn't considered an instant clas$ic when compared to today's standards, but it's still the best game in the series. Which is why fans will love it.

I'll be picking this game up either today or tomorrow. I need some Golden Sun in my life right about now.

I played a good solid 3 hours last night and the game is so much fun. The focus on environment puzzles over grinding/random battles is so refreshing. And the graphics are beautiful.

Like I said, it's a 8.0-8.5 game to me. Maybe when compared to today's standards, it's a bit dim, but really not by that much. I can only name a few that are better than Dark Dawn. But as a Golden Sun game, it's the best one.

The score is just a number, and it fell under the category of "good." But read the text, and if you want what you like in there, then this game could be a 10 for you. It's definitely worth playing for any Golden Sun fan, just don't expect anything ground breaking :) It's a solid and fun game.

[QUOTE="GamerForca"]Looks good, but it's unfortunate that the game doesn't seem to have lived up to its predecessors' greatness. ASK_Story

Actually, it's better than its predecessors. Don't let the low scores fool you.

The reason why the score is low is because the game has similar faults as the first two games such as slow-pacing, long drawn out dialogue, and old-school gameplay. But as far as the game goes, it's better than the first two games. It's just a bit stuck in the past.

Read other reviews like from IGN, Gametrailers, or especially 1up. I think they mention that Dark Dawn is a significant improvement and better game than the first two GBA games, but it's held back when compared to today's standards compared to the more top DS JRPGs like Dragon Quest IX, FFIV DS remake, or SMT Strange Journey.

I think 1up said it the best: it's an improvement on the Golden Sun formula but still falls short from greatness.

Which is why Dark Dawn isn't considered an instant clas$ic when compared to today's standards, but it's still the best game in the series. Which is why fans will love it.

The score is just a number, and it fell under the category of "good." But read the text, and if you want what you like in there, then this game could be a 10 for you. It's definitely worth playing for any Golden Sun fan, just don't expect anything ground breaking :) It's a solid and fun game.

Sophia

[QUOTE="Sophia"]

The score is just a number, and it fell under the category of "good." But read the text, and if you want what you like in there, then this game could be a 10 for you. It's definitely worth playing for any Golden Sun fan, just don't expect anything ground breaking :) It's a solid and fun game.

ZIVX

Picked up my copy today. Once I get the True ending in 999, then I'll most likely start working on Dark Dawn.

The score is just a number, and it fell under the category of "good." But read the text, and if you want what you like in there, then this game could be a 10 for you. It's definitely worth playing for any Golden Sun fan, just don't expect anything ground breaking :) It's a solid and fun game.

Sophia

Looks good, but it's unfortunate that the game doesn't seem to have lived up to its predecessors' greatness. GamerForca

I think what we have is a game made by people who were scared to screw up

One reason Golden Sun did so well back in the day is that it breathed some life into the genre and this latest version is dead by comparison, it does nothing new for the genre or the franchise.

This is still an enjoyable game for people who like the franchise but you're not getting anything new except a new coat of paint, it's a shame too because you would think in almost a decade they'd be able to expand on the gameplay to give it the same sort of feeling they did at the start.

I don't mind critics bringing that up when they look at the game, it's good for a game franchise to stick to it's roots but it's another thing entirely when a game just copies it's past games and thinks it's made a good game.

It's worth playing but the game could have been so much more

The only reason I haven't rushed out to buy this game is because I'm replaying the first two titles. It is going much slower this time around. I didn't have two jobs and school when I was twelve.