Trailer:
So far I've played it a total 24 hours and I feel like I've barely even begun lol. But who knows, I have no idea how far I actually am. Does anybody else have or plan on getting this game?
My brief summary: (very brief, about to go eat dinner)
So far it plays JUST like the old one. The first Golden Sun was already quite polished and this sequel made a terrific transition to 3D. I would brag to friends how GS had the best graphics of any Gameboy Advanced game. Well, I believe it's safe to say that Golden Sun: Dark Dawn has the best graphics of any DS game. The summons are magnificent small clips that use both screens to display the power of the DS.
The plot is as thick as ever and I believe the story has only begun. It begins 30 years after the first Golden sun. Instead of continuing your adventure with Isaac and the other heroes of Vale, you take on the role of their kids who are around the same age as Isaac and his crew during the first game. You get to see a lot of familiar faces to!
So far, my only complaint is the incredibly unnecessary amount of text. The party has so many pointless conversations, I'm beginning to skip them when I know that no significant information or lore is being presented.
But all in all I say this game is even better than the first story. But, as I have not finished it, my final review of this game will rely entirely on where the story goes. Yes this game displays what I believe to be the best graphics of any DS game, but the story is what will make or break it considering how important plot is to this game due to the massive amount of time spent watching the folks of Golden Sun have conversations.
Oh, and I almost forgot! The puzzles of this game are also just as good as before! I had a few frustrating moments, that's for sure. I absolutely love the puzzle layout of this game. It adds a completely different dimension to it that really makes it fun and engaging.
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"I want to say something but I'll keep it to myself I guess and leave this useless post behind to make you aware that there WAS something... "
-Equinox
"We're like the downtown of the Diablo related internet lol"
-Winged
I got the game for christmas, and I'm not a fan of the 3D graphics, it looks (dare I say) really kiddy. It also feels really kiddy because the heroes in this game look a LOT yougner than what the original heroes did, despite being the same age. =/
I can't remember how many hours I am into the game, but I just finished talking to Tret and Laurel, and am heading towards the Mountain Roc. Despite spending a decent amount of time, I feel like I've gotten NOWHERE in the story. I don't know why, but it's just like... you're always "so close" to getting to where you need to be, then suddenly you're thrown off course and into what seems like a different storyline that lasts for a few dungeons. I don't know why, but it kind of bothers me - but at the sametime it's not too big of a deal.
The one thing that actually makes me angry is that if you miss a djinn and try to go slightly ahead in the story, you CAN'T go back. I've now missed 2 djinn like that, and both were Venus I think. OMG I'm so angry, because I wanted all the djinn. -.-
Overall, I really am enjoying the game. Another decent difference between DS and the first two, is that you have a lot more openess in where you want to go and in what order.
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One becomes strong when they are fighting to protect someone close to them... - Shiro Haku
@Ullion I gotta say I agree with most of what you've said except for the graphics thing.
I feel like you haven't played the first games because these are basically the same exact graphics only in 3D. The similarities are too clear from my point of view.
But, I completely agree that the story moves very very slowly. Too often do you feel like "Great! I got what I needed to activate...wait..what?! I need something ELSE in ANOTHER set of ruins?!" That part is a bit annoying. However, I think the story is going to really pick up once you get the Mountain Roc feather.
Ullion, it gets pretty intense shortly after the mountain roc feather part.
@Linkx
29.99 new in most places. Probably around $20 used right now. Get it!
Remember everyone if you want to talk about any of the story in any real detail use spoiler tags!
Phrozendragon would be PISSED if he came in here and saw a spoiler on accident lol.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"I want to say something but I'll keep it to myself I guess and leave this useless post behind to make you aware that there WAS something... "
-Equinox
"We're like the downtown of the Diablo related internet lol"
-Winged
I never really had that problem. I always felt like the story moved at a pretty good pace. Not break neck speeds like most modern games but not slow as molasis like the original Metroid, kinda right in the middle.
Also, I like the graphics. I feel they could of gone a wee bit higher on the DS (Too similar to the GBA platform) but it's the exact same style as the original, and I am thankful they didn't try to go realistic. I may just of had to kill somebody. (Joking. Lol.)
Anyway, I'm definintly getting it, just a question of when. Lol.
Oh believe me, I played the first games to death. I like the 3D effects cause they make everything a lot clearer. But some of the animations look absolutely horrible (ie. nettle).
But yeah, the Passaj + Ayuthay + Kaocho parts were cool, but REALLY annoying. =/ By the way, do you know how to get back inside the Phantasmal Bog after you beat the Lizard dude?
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One becomes strong when they are fighting to protect someone close to them... - Shiro Haku
I got the djinn and everything so I didn't have to go back but, you should be able to go to the herb store, buy a dream leaf and then go to the inn and choose to sleep there and it might make you dream and let you go back there? I'm not entirely sure as to how the dream leaves work because it doesn't happen every time but I know I had to use one in another town to get the Haurus summon.
Ullion, remember to go back and talk to the musician in the tree town(lulz cant remember all these names!) so he will go back to Ayuthay and play the song.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"I want to say something but I'll keep it to myself I guess and leave this useless post behind to make you aware that there WAS something... "
-Equinox
"We're like the downtown of the Diablo related internet lol"
-Winged
You mean go back to brinsk? Anyways, yeah I didn't forget. And by the way, you're totally right, the story has defintely picked up and is actually intense. I've done Brinsk and am in the Eastern Sea. The story actually feels mature now, and not some silly "Hey son, can you fetch a feather for me?" kind of quest where you just get horribly off trail. -.-
And I moved on anyways, so I've only missed 2 djinn so far (using a djinn guide so I miss as few as possible xD). But that's defintely a good idea. I'll likely play through the entire game again after I beat this run through. By the way Umpa, who do you use in your team?
For me, assuming they're al of equal levels, is:
1. Karis 2. Matthew 3. Sveta 4. Amiti
But I have Himi and Eoleo in a rotation with Amiti and Matthew respectively, if the latter 2 get to a higher level.
Also, that yew bow I got during Kolima is STILL being used by Amiti and is STILL raping. I love this thing.
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One becomes strong when they are fighting to protect someone close to them... - Shiro Haku
HA! I finnaly have beaten the game. That boss battle got real close at points, but I managed to prevail!
And as a note, none of my characters ever died throguhout the entire game, aside from the cheap-*** "auto kill" attacks some of the monsters have. -.- And that excldues the finally boss too, because he has 2 different moves that are along the lines of "cruel ruin" in terms of damage, and since they're different moves, he can use both in the same turn, and that hurts Karis... especially when she was nailed with a djinn blast too -.-
Oh, and what likely xplains why this gfame is so easy battlewise is for two reasons:
1. Even weak monsters give you a hefty amount of experience. Before I found I was "back on track" to the main story, I think I was level 25 or so, and don't recall facing many bosses. And they were all super-easy by the time I got to them.
2. All bosses only attack once, unless its multiple bosses in one fight (ie. Charis AND Blados). The only exception is the END boss, where he, of course, attacks 3 times per turn.
In the end, I enjoyed the game a decent amount, and the ending was relatively dramatic. Sadly, the ending reminded me a lot of golden sun 2's ending. But even MORE obvious. =/ Oh and, can anyone say "Golden Sun: Dark Dawn 2"?
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One becomes strong when they are fighting to protect someone close to them... - Shiro Haku
Phrozendragon would be PISSED if he came in here and saw a spoiler on accident lol.
I never once opened this thread until now
I finally got a DS last week and this game and finished it after playing it almost straight for three days with no guide or nothing. All in all, I agree with what has been said.
I was afraid about the graphics at first, but the 3D grew on me. And the summons and unleashes are just as over the top as always. In GS1&2, Boreas was a snow machine. in GS3, Boreas is a huge unicorn train that SMASHES A MOUNTAIN before sending a showwave of ice across the ENTIRE WORLD. HELL YEAH!
Bosses are way too easy. The scouts with the psy grenades were close, but everything else was cakewalk. Compare that to the gruesome Saturos/Menardi/Fusion Dragon at character lvl 27 in the original. Or Dullahan in GS2.
I like the cutscenes and dialog though, after all it is a staple of the series
Story is nice. Yeah there are lost of new ruins everywhere, but unlike with Diablo I'm not as concerned. Though I'm not sure I like the flying spaceship we're bound to see in the next game.
Music is bad. Or rather, it's ok, but nothing compared to the old games. Best track was the remix of the Saturos battle theme from GS1, go figure.
And lastly, why the f*ck can't I backtrack?!?!??! Fortunately I had a save before Belinsk, but that's 10 hours of lost playtime if I want all the djinn. After I've that I'll take a swing at the extra bosses, although it seems even Dullahan has been watered down
Overall a satisfying experience, but not as much as I'd expected.
PlugY for Diablo II allows you to reset skills and stats, transfer items between characters in singleplayer, obtain all ladder runewords and do all Uberquests while offline. It is the only way to do all of the above. Please use it.
Supporting big shoulderpads and flashy armor since 2004.
Heh. I definitely enjoyed it. But, it didn't intrigue me enough to play the extra content.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"I want to say something but I'll keep it to myself I guess and leave this useless post behind to make you aware that there WAS something... "
-Equinox
"We're like the downtown of the Diablo related internet lol"
-Winged
PlugY for Diablo II allows you to reset skills and stats, transfer items between characters in singleplayer, obtain all ladder runewords and do all Uberquests while offline. It is the only way to do all of the above. Please use it.
Supporting big shoulderpads and flashy armor since 2004.
So far I've played it a total 24 hours and I feel like I've barely even begun lol. But who knows, I have no idea how far I actually am. Does anybody else have or plan on getting this game?
My brief summary: (very brief, about to go eat dinner)
So far it plays JUST like the old one. The first Golden Sun was already quite polished and this sequel made a terrific transition to 3D. I would brag to friends how GS had the best graphics of any Gameboy Advanced game. Well, I believe it's safe to say that Golden Sun: Dark Dawn has the best graphics of any DS game. The summons are magnificent small clips that use both screens to display the power of the DS.
The plot is as thick as ever and I believe the story has only begun. It begins 30 years after the first Golden sun. Instead of continuing your adventure with Isaac and the other heroes of Vale, you take on the role of their kids who are around the same age as Isaac and his crew during the first game. You get to see a lot of familiar faces to!
So far, my only complaint is the incredibly unnecessary amount of text. The party has so many pointless conversations, I'm beginning to skip them when I know that no significant information or lore is being presented.
But all in all I say this game is even better than the first story. But, as I have not finished it, my final review of this game will rely entirely on where the story goes. Yes this game displays what I believe to be the best graphics of any DS game, but the story is what will make or break it considering how important plot is to this game due to the massive amount of time spent watching the folks of Golden Sun have conversations.
Oh, and I almost forgot! The puzzles of this game are also just as good as before! I had a few frustrating moments, that's for sure. I absolutely love the puzzle layout of this game. It adds a completely different dimension to it that really makes it fun and engaging.
-Equinox
"We're like the downtown of the Diablo related internet lol"
-Winged
I spent so many hours on that game...
How much is it?
I can't remember how many hours I am into the game, but I just finished talking to Tret and Laurel, and am heading towards the Mountain Roc. Despite spending a decent amount of time, I feel like I've gotten NOWHERE in the story. I don't know why, but it's just like... you're always "so close" to getting to where you need to be, then suddenly you're thrown off course and into what seems like a different storyline that lasts for a few dungeons. I don't know why, but it kind of bothers me - but at the sametime it's not too big of a deal.
The one thing that actually makes me angry is that if you miss a djinn and try to go slightly ahead in the story, you CAN'T go back. I've now missed 2 djinn like that, and both were Venus I think. OMG I'm so angry, because I wanted all the djinn. -.-
Overall, I really am enjoying the game. Another decent difference between DS and the first two, is that you have a lot more openess in where you want to go and in what order.
One becomes strong when they are fighting to protect someone close to them... - Shiro Haku
I feel like you haven't played the first games because these are basically the same exact graphics only in 3D. The similarities are too clear from my point of view.
But, I completely agree that the story moves very very slowly. Too often do you feel like "Great! I got what I needed to activate...wait..what?! I need something ELSE in ANOTHER set of ruins?!" That part is a bit annoying. However, I think the story is going to really pick up once you get the Mountain Roc feather.
Ullion, it gets pretty intense shortly after the mountain roc feather part.
@Linkx
29.99 new in most places. Probably around $20 used right now. Get it!
Remember everyone if you want to talk about any of the story in any real detail use spoiler tags!
Phrozendragon would be PISSED if he came in here and saw a spoiler on accident lol.
-Equinox
"We're like the downtown of the Diablo related internet lol"
-Winged
Also, I like the graphics. I feel they could of gone a wee bit higher on the DS (Too similar to the GBA platform) but it's the exact same style as the original, and I am thankful they didn't try to go realistic. I may just of had to kill somebody. (Joking. Lol.)
Anyway, I'm definintly getting it, just a question of when. Lol.
But yeah, the Passaj + Ayuthay + Kaocho parts were cool, but REALLY annoying. =/ By the way, do you know how to get back inside the Phantasmal Bog after you beat the Lizard dude?
One becomes strong when they are fighting to protect someone close to them... - Shiro Haku
I got the djinn and everything so I didn't have to go back but, you should be able to go to the herb store, buy a dream leaf and then go to the inn and choose to sleep there and it might make you dream and let you go back there? I'm not entirely sure as to how the dream leaves work because it doesn't happen every time but I know I had to use one in another town to get the Haurus summon.
Ullion, remember to go back and talk to the musician in the tree town(lulz cant remember all these names!) so he will go back to Ayuthay and play the song.
-Equinox
"We're like the downtown of the Diablo related internet lol"
-Winged
And I moved on anyways, so I've only missed 2 djinn so far (using a djinn guide so I miss as few as possible xD). But that's defintely a good idea. I'll likely play through the entire game again after I beat this run through. By the way Umpa, who do you use in your team?
For me, assuming they're al of equal levels, is:
1. Karis 2. Matthew 3. Sveta 4. Amiti
But I have Himi and Eoleo in a rotation with Amiti and Matthew respectively, if the latter 2 get to a higher level.
Also, that yew bow I got during Kolima is STILL being used by Amiti and is STILL raping. I love this thing.
One becomes strong when they are fighting to protect someone close to them... - Shiro Haku
And as a note, none of my characters ever died throguhout the entire game, aside from the cheap-*** "auto kill" attacks some of the monsters have. -.- And that excldues the finally boss too, because he has 2 different moves that are along the lines of "cruel ruin" in terms of damage, and since they're different moves, he can use both in the same turn, and that hurts Karis... especially when she was nailed with a djinn blast too -.-
Oh, and what likely xplains why this gfame is so easy battlewise is for two reasons:
1. Even weak monsters give you a hefty amount of experience. Before I found I was "back on track" to the main story, I think I was level 25 or so, and don't recall facing many bosses. And they were all super-easy by the time I got to them.
2. All bosses only attack once, unless its multiple bosses in one fight (ie. Charis AND Blados). The only exception is the END boss, where he, of course, attacks 3 times per turn.
In the end, I enjoyed the game a decent amount, and the ending was relatively dramatic. Sadly, the ending reminded me a lot of golden sun 2's ending. But even MORE obvious. =/ Oh and, can anyone say "Golden Sun: Dark Dawn 2"?
One becomes strong when they are fighting to protect someone close to them... - Shiro Haku
I finally got a DS last week and this game and finished it after playing it almost straight for three days with no guide or nothing. All in all, I agree with what has been said.
I was afraid about the graphics at first, but the 3D grew on me. And the summons and unleashes are just as over the top as always. In GS1&2, Boreas was a snow machine. in GS3, Boreas is a huge unicorn train that SMASHES A MOUNTAIN before sending a showwave of ice across the ENTIRE WORLD. HELL YEAH!
Bosses are way too easy. The scouts with the psy grenades were close, but everything else was cakewalk. Compare that to the gruesome Saturos/Menardi/Fusion Dragon at character lvl 27 in the original. Or Dullahan in GS2.
I like the cutscenes and dialog though, after all it is a staple of the series
Story is nice. Yeah there are lost of new ruins everywhere, but unlike with Diablo I'm not as concerned. Though I'm not sure I like the flying spaceship we're bound to see in the next game.
Music is bad. Or rather, it's ok, but nothing compared to the old games. Best track was the remix of the Saturos battle theme from GS1, go figure.
And lastly, why the f*ck can't I backtrack?!?!??! Fortunately I had a save before Belinsk, but that's 10 hours of lost playtime if I want all the djinn. After I've that I'll take a swing at the extra bosses, although it seems even Dullahan has been watered down
Overall a satisfying experience, but not as much as I'd expected.
-Equinox
"We're like the downtown of the Diablo related internet lol"
-Winged