Without spoiling the ending, I can tell you that it is the reason why I did not enjoy this game. (Spoiler-free review)
The best I can say is, "Were you even trying, Camelot?"
First off, I'm going to "spoil" two things you already knew: There are over 70 Djinn (actually more than 80), so there are obviously more than 4 characters to play as, like in The Lost Age. Some are carbon clones of past characters, and some hit new extremes. The other thing is that, because this game is so intricately 3D, and with so many 3D models in it, you'll quickly realize that there's no way you'll be able to explore all of Weyard, as the whole world can't fit on a DS card in 3D.
After more than 30 hours of solitary confinement, I completed Dark Dawn. The midway point and the ending are incredibly climactic, and Dark Dawn is very much the darkest game in the series. Any blood or a single swear would've put the game at a T rating. It's very plot-driven.
Camelot thought about the player . . . sometimes. You can now view your current objective, characters redirect attacks instead of default blocking, holding down B speeds up battles, and Psynergy is easier to use. However, if someone in the back of your party levels up, there's no sound effect and no music. It simply appears in the text box, as if the game is saying, "Shh! Karis leveled up, but don't tell her that!" One of the worst things in this game is the fact that there are drastically less sound effects. Think of all the sound effects you can remember from the old Golden Sun games, now forget about half of them. Even worse, some sound effects are obnoxiously loud, such as the attack choice one, or on a certain Psynergy that is so ridiculous, that it actually tells you exactly what you need to do to solve puzzles.
And, the puzzles. They're pathetic. Nearly every puzzle in the game solves itself. I never had to stop and think like in the last games. One of the few that IS challenging is very, very slow, and the game tells you how to beat it, anyway.
Furthermore, consider yourself warned: This game is by far the easiest in the series, even in battles. The bosses are so easy it's pathetic, and the toughest wild enemies are just enough to make you resort to using your big Psynergy powers for a while. If you aren't convinced it's too easy, know that I beat the Mountain Roc in a single turn. Few bosses serve as real challenges.
On a side note, the cultural diversity that has been a high point of the Golden Sun series is virtually nonexistent in Dark Dawn. Nearly half, or more, of the civilizations/cities in this game are based on China and Japan. I'm not even kidding, here. Half of them. The Golden Sun seems to have burned away all other cultures.
But enough about all the little things that may irk you.
This game is filled with Points of No Return.
Meaning, once you leave a certain place, with no warning, it will be severed off and you will NEVER be able to go back. If you miss any items, any Djinn, and any Summon tablet, you will NEVER be able to go back and get it. Even after you beat the game, you will NEVER be able to go back to half of the world.
This alone is why this game is getting an 7.5 and not a 9.5. What's the point of Golden Sun if you can't explore? The game essentially ends once you beat the main storyline, and that's it. And if that's not a slap to the face for you, then this must be: Isaac and Garet are the only Adepts from the past game that you'll see. The others are talked about constantly, but you will never get to see them. . . . Just like half of the world once you leave that area. The game is fun while it lasts, but doesn't have much replay value. You'll play the game for a week like crazy, then put it down and forget it exists.
All because Camelot cared so little about the quality of this game that they didn't even undo the points of no return. What player wants those? What player appreciates those? What game designer forbids the PLAYER from PLAYING? Two thirds of the world are cut off the moment you leave them.
Compared to other games, this game is good. But for the Golden Sun series, this is more of an insult, and Dark Dawn is nowhere near the level of quality and charm you'll find in the other two games.
Perhaps Camelot will actually try in the next Golden Sun--Dark Dawn ends on one hell of a cliffhanger. Hopefully, the fourth Golden Sun won't be titled, "We know Golden Sun fans will buy this next game, so we're not going to put common sense in it."
Because this time, Camelot may as well have flipped me off, a diehard fan who grew up playing Golden Sun.