Riviera is a must buy for all GBA owning RPG fans.
The game begins with you trying to destroy Riviera: The Promised Land, and that way, activating the Retribution which will save the world. You play as Ein, a young Grim Angel who questions the ways of the 7 magi, the ones who ordered the Grim Angels to go in the first place. After learning the basics of the game, Ein transported buy Ursula, protector of Riviera to Rivera itself. When Ein gets there, he meets people and makes friends. Soon, instead of trying to destroy Riviera, now he is fighting to save it.
The gameplay here is a little different from your average game. Movement is done by choosing to go, tile by tile, to each area instead of giving you free movement. There's also the look option, which allows you to observe your surroundings and find hidden items or initiate events.
The fighting is turn based except that your characters' agility determines who goes first. There are many weapons including swords, rapiers, scythes, staffs, bows, and claws. Each one of your five characters specialize in one of these items but can also master certain others. In battle, you may only choose three characters to fight at one time so you need to think of each of their strengths and weaknesses and decide who to put in your fighting formation.
Riviera's story is very good and is linear, while at the same time, very variable. While you practically are sent straight to where you need to go, answering questions in events can alter the story quite a bit. In the end, you get one of the five different endings based on you relationship with one of the girls in you party. This makes Riviera a little unique. While it's an RPG, it also has some elements to a dating sim. In example, when you recieve a gem in the game, you can decide who to give it to in your party. While giving to one person will raise you relation ship with them, it might lower the relationship with the other girls.
The music in the game is well orchestrated and everything fits. The battle music seems perfect. With a fast tempo and a little bit of goth in it. Making it perfect for a game where you fight as an angel. Music for comic moments is also very good, with a light-hearted tune that makes you forget about the fact that your trying to prevent the apocolyptic genocide of the world. Since this game is T rated, it also delves into death, sacrifice, and if you play your cards right, nude bathing scenes. ;)
Overall, Rivera: The Promised Land is a very good RPG that deserves to be recognized. So if you love RPG's and you have a GBA or a DS, get this game. You won't be dissapointed.