Snes - Illusion of Gaia Review

Illusion of Gaia is the sequel to Soul Blazer. This time however, you are no longer in some flat world in space but on Earth with landmarks like the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids although the history of their Earth is different from the one we know. Actually your character Wil will be the one to align it to become the history we know today.

Gameplay and interface: 9/10

Gameplay like the first in the series Soul Blazer is top down although we get a closer view of the character and spell casting as we know it no longer exists. Rather you have special attacks which are unleashed using various combinations. Unlike the first game, rather than having more powerful armours or swords or leveling up you have a unique way of gaining statistics. You have to destroy all the enemies in one screen. You will then increase in attack defense or life. This is a much better way of gaining levels than killing enemies which constantly regenerate because you are motivated to destroy the enemies and that way you can never become too powerful for the game to be a walkover.

If that was not enough, you have three bodies. One, the body of Wil the main character, two, the body of Freedan and three that of Shadow, the ultimate warrior. Each one handles differently and each has its own unique powers.

The interface is easy enough to use. Talking to people, push one button, searching the same, using an item another. Basic yet easy.

Perhaps the only bad points to mention are one, that you can not change bodies with a push of the button but must find a doorway to darkspace (which also acts as a save point) this can be particularly annoying in places where the doorway is far away or when you are in a maze. And two, you only use Wil and Freedan for most part of the game, Shadow is only usable in the last 10% which is rather annoying since Shadow is not "that" good.

Storyline: 5/5

Just like Soul Blazer Illusion of Gaia features an amazing story which is complex. You are Wil and your father is a famous explorer who brings you along to the Tower of Babel to explore. Unfortunately the whole expedition except for you disappears. You mysteriously end up back in your home town South Cape with no memory of the events. You do however have special powers of being able to move certain stuff like a certain statue.

A year later, you are summoned to meet the King. He wants a ring but you do not have it. He then throws you in jail. Of course, you break out and escape the castle with his daughter Kara and you find your Grandparents have run away to hid in a village. Finding them there you also find a ghost who tells you to find the moon tribe who will give you answers. But the answers lie in the structues of ancient civilisations and mystic statues scattered across the land so it looks like you have to travel the land.

Along the way, you will find questions and answers and meet mysterious forces and even dead people! Eventually, you will find Wil's father and the answers to your questions, but only at the very end.

All this just keeps you at your seat wanting to know more.

Graphics: 3/5

I'm afraid the graphics are slightly above average for the time although it is huge and the people look terribly out of proportion.

Level design: 5/5

The levels for Illusion of Gaia are sensibly laid out and for most part you only need to explore to find the exits. Sometimes they are a bit overwhelming but perseverence really pays off.

Music and Sound: 3/5

The music and sound are not too good. Admitted it does set the atmosphere but you have the feeling the music is just slightly wrong somehow. The music just does not strike the right keys during the right time.

For: Good storyline, innovative gameplay and ability to change bodies.

Against: Average graphics and music.

Genre: RPG

Produced by: Enix

Platform: SNES

Runs on: ZSnes

and Snes 9x

Year: 1994

Scoring Summary

Gameplay and interface: 9/10

Storyline: 5/5

Graphics: 3/5