A solid RPG that no other GBA game can match!
Story : 9.8
After a storm occurs in Vale, two teenagers Isaac and Garet are sent on a big quest to stop the lighthouses beacons from being lit, and are joined by Ivan and Mia, and later in the story, you play as the antagonists trying to light the beacons, known as Felix, Jenna, Sheba, and Piers. It all works out and fills out any plothole and is an epic adventure.
Gameplay : 9.7
Golden Sun focuses a lot on puzzles, and I mean A LOT. The puzzles get harder as you go on, and in the second game, that's when the puzzles will make your head spin. The use of "psynergies" has a big role in the game, and has a big role on puzzles and the story. The battles get tough, but it's a great challenge, Doom Dragon anyone? You also get several of collectables throughout the game, and you are highly rewarded if you do the sidequests and take on the harder side bosses.
Graphics : 10
The graphics are pure beauty for the 32-bit system. Everything represents what it's supposed to be, and it makes me wonder how they made it so detailed. Honestly the best I've seen for the GBA, it really has it's own sense of world to it which is a good thing.
Sound : 9.9
A lot of the themes in this game get more epic as you progress, like the Venus Lighthouse, and the final battles music. I could go on with how all of the tunes in the game are great, but it would take too long to describe, so you really have to experience it for yourself.
Lifetime : 10
There's a lot to do in these games, and if you want to beat them both with all side quests will take literally about 60+ hours.
Replay Value : 8.6
I will replay these games whenever I get the chance, maybe every few years? Or how about go five years and then listen to the menu music... it feels great. I watched my brother play it a lot as a kid and the sound still sounds great and very nostalgic to this day.
Overall : 10
Golden Sun is a solid RPG that can hold it's own against Final Fantasy, these are easily the best GBA games ever created. I recommend it to any fan of Final Fantasy and anyone who owns a GBA that can handle a challenge and loves their puzzles and stories!