Summary

As this year draws to a close, it seems that some serious changes are in store for the gaming industry. Namco, a developer best known for arcade titles and puzzle games, has this year published two of what can be considered the best RPGS ever made. And, they are initially, at least, exclusive to the Nintendo Gamecube. The two games are Tales of Symphonia and Baten Kaitos. However, though the same developer created both of these games, and though they both come on two disks, there are no other similarities between them. They are totally different in all aspects of gameplay, graphics, audio, and overall feel. At a time when RPGs seem to be trending towards ever more complex battle systems and an ever deeper learning process, Baten Kaitos is like a refreshing breeze in it's simplicity. This game is as close to pick up and play as an RPG can get. However, being easy to learn and play does not alter the fact that the game is almost impossible to put away once you start playing it. Baten Kaitos has an addictability factor that is unmatched, even after almost 60 hours of gameplay. I am reluctant to say any one game is the 'best' at anything, but Baten Kaitos is so immersive, so easy to learn, and so beautiful and original to the eyes and ears that it simply transcends all my previous gaming experiences. Some gamers are undoubtably avoiding this title due to it's use of cards as a gameplay feature, and this is a mistake. I am very familiar with Culdcept on the PS2 and Phantasy Star Online Episode 3 on the 'Cube, both of which are card-based games. Baten Kaitos uses cards, but in a very original way. Although I'll go deeper into this gameplay aspect later, right now I can say that card based gameplay has never been like this. Baten Kaitos uses a turn based battle system combined with cards that must be used in a very limited time to make what is actually an RPG with strong action elements. In most battles, you have just a few seconds, and sometimes just a split second, to select and play cards. The end result is a battle system that is very addictive and original. Some RPGs force you to travel the same areas multiple times to level up your characters, but with Baten Kaitos, you will want to do so even though the game is structured so that you do not have to. In fact, you will find that you will need to force yourself to stop refighting the same opponents over and over in order to proceed with the gameflow. The cards are drawn randomly, and no two battles are ever the same. Baten Kaitos has an original set of gameplay mechanics, a deeply involving story line, awesome characters, and a graphic style that will wow you like no other game you've played before. You owe it to yourself to experience this game, as it is a true work of art. It is beautiful to play, to see, and to hear. Get this game. You won't regret it.

Sound

The music and sound effects are top notch. I have surround sound, and I was blown away by the spell effect sounds especially. There is lots of voice acting, and it is very high quality.

Gameplay

Right off the bat, Baten Kaitos is different from most other RPGs. Though you do define, organize and control your party, your true role is that of a 'Spirit Guide'. All through the game, the characters will stop, turn and look at you and ask you things, engage you in conversation, and have you make decisions about what to do next. The game has multiple paths and endings based on this, and this is one of the factors that make it so replayable. The gameworld of Baten Kaitos is one of floating islands. Enviromentally, these islands are all drastically different from each other. The field maps consist of various areas on each island that get opened up as the game progresses. The point and click field map, the interaction with NPCs, the cutscenes, and the ongoing hunt for treasure (Magnus = cards) are fairly standard RPG fare. Baten Kaitos has four main displays that you interact with. They are the Field Maps mentioned above, screens for towns and dungeons, the camp screens, and the battle screens. The field maps are 2D point, guide and click, the towns and dungeons are fixed perspective combination 2D/3D where you move your character around with the Control Stick, and the battle screens are full 3D. Because of this, there is no user camera control, and this aids the fast learning process. The Baten Kaitos gameworld features elemental magic as the basis for both battle cards (Magnus) and storyline advancement. Each floating island has a bias towards one or more of the magical elements. There are six magical elements grouped in three opposing pairs, plus one neutral element. Characters from different islands are stronger in the elements native to those islands. As your characters move around the towns and dungeons, they will encounter enemies, and when they do, a battle ensues. This happens a lot. There are many of these random encounters, but trust me on this, you will truly look forward to these battles and never get tired of them. Battles are waged via Magnus. Many Magnus are specific to certain characters, and some can be used by all characters. Some are offensive, some defensive, and some are both. Some can be used on the camp screens only. As your characters progress, the number, power and types of Magnus they can use increases. At first, only a couple of Magnus can be in their hand during a battle, and these are randomly selected from a deck that you define from the pool of total available Magnus. Decks are limited to twenty Magnus at first, but this number grows as your character levels up. Magnus have an elemental affinity, but they also have what is called a 'Spirit Number'. Early on, the Magnus have only one number. Spirit numbers work like this, Say you play three cards, and the three you play all have a Spirit Number of six, or the three are consecutively numbered three, four, and five. Your damage score is increased by using cards of pairs, treys, and straights. Later on, the Magnus have up to four Spirit Numbers on each one. This allows you to, via the C-stick, to pick which Spirit Number for each card is used, allowing you to set up more matching numbers and straights. Doing so gives your Magnus attacks much more destructive power. Each character in your party has their own deck which you must manage. During the Magnus battles, there is an onscreen timer. You have to act fast, because when the timer reaches zero it is the next character's turn, either the enemy's or one of your's. During gameplay, you can select which character, friend or enemy, a Magnus is applied to. You must be careful not to cause damage to your own party or to heal an enemy. Magnus combos are possible and desirable, but what is really cool is that Magnus can and will morph into super Magnus if placed in your hand with the right companion Magnus. All the while, you must be aware of the elemental aspect of the various Magnus. Fortunately, the game eases you into this. Early on, you start off with basic Magnus with just one Spirit Number and just one or two characters to worry about.