A lesser-known RPG for the SNES that is a great original RPG by any standards
Illusion of Gaia, second in the Soulblazer series, is a surprisingly good RPG for the SNES. It is unique in many ways and still has the feel of a good RPG no matter what kind of gamer you are.
The storyline is one of the most interesting elements of this game. All of the dungeon areas in the game correlate with a mysterious ancient area of the real world. Examples are Machu Picchu (the mysteriously abandoned Incan Ruins), Mu (Easter Island and its wierd head statues), Angkor Wat (a huge palace/city mysteriously abandoned in ancient times, and the Tower of Babel. The story revolves around the main character Will, who has mysterious psychic powers that he originally likes to use with his friends. He is then whisked off on a journey with a princess, a blue-haired girl, and some of his friends (none of which fight). The goal of all this is to find out what happened to his father who disappeared in the Tower of Babel a couple years earlier. The end of the game will indeed take place there.
The gameplay is like that of an action RPG comparable Secret of Mana. At various times during each dungeon, you'll receive defense and attack boosts though you won't ever actually grow any levels. Also, over the course of the journey you will learn multiple special attacks and be able to become Freedan, a legendary knight and eventually Shadow, who each have there own sets of special attacks. All three characters have their own special advantages. The game moves along surprisingly fast though it is possible to find yourself stuck in a couple of the dungeons for a while.
The music is just average. It is standard RPG music but doesn't have much special. I do give it credit for catching the feel of the game and also the being made in this earlier age of SNES games. It won't be remembered but probably won't get annoying.
The graphics are good for the SNES for the time when it was made. There are a few neat effects in the game and the people and buildings are different than in most other games. Every person and creature is large and detailed on the screen so there is never any confusion of what anything is.
This game has a relatively high replay value. You can play this game multiple times and not get tired of it. There is also the optional quest to collect all 50 red gems and unlock a secret level in the game which I am yet to do. It even says where each gem is in the booklet that comes with the game and yet it is nearly impossible to get every single one. If you want a good RPG for the SNES, get this game. You either will like it a lot, or not care for it. I believe that anyone can enjoy a classic game like this.
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