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Platform Filters:   All Platforms  Xbox   GameCube   PlayStation 2   PC   Game Boy Advance   Site Sections:   Updates  News   Games   Publishers   Developers   Reviews   Previews   Release Dates   Editorials   Glossary   Contact Us		Preview:       4th October 2005: Riviera: The Promised Land  An RPG that looks very promising in all areas, especially in terms of character deveopment and plot. Posted by Chris Barnett - GameBoy Advance - UK and Europe It's not very often you see a mention of the infamous 'Wonderswan' handheld console that was only ever released in Japan. This is not because games journalists are lazy; it's just that the console was not very good. But one of its only memorable moments cam with an RPG by the name of Riviera, which added a compelling story to the usual mix of strategy and exploration. So what better tribute is there than to remake the game with many updates? Well, to make the game for a format that people actually own is a good start. So developers Atlus (and their subdivision, Sting) have done so for a GameBoy Advance version. The game sees you take on the role of an angel named Ein, who must travel to the godly island of Riviera in order to seal away some demons. This is a basic gist of the story, but it is much more involving and emotional as the script is so quirky and original. The first thing that we noticed when we played the US version of the game was the graphical style. At first glance it seems to be a usual isometric RPG with passable visuals. But after playing for a short time it became apparent that the animation and graphics of both the characters and the landscapes are very impressive - as good as anything we have seen on the GameBoy Advance, possibly even better when the weapon effects are taken into account. Some of the animations to accompany special attacks are very neat and the way that essential story moments are told using high resolution CGI is inspired. You can even view these in a gallery later on, such is their complexity. The story is pretty predictable and could be from many RPGs that we have seen. But what makes this special is the interaction and involvement of the characters. There are five key characters: Ein and four girls that complete his 'team'. As well as being well written in terms of character development and interaction, there is also an inspired relationship mechanic in place. This takes the form of an invisible 'friendship rating' that applies to each of the four girls. As choices are made throughout the game, in battles or in cut scenes, the rating changes. This in turn changes the entire attitude of the team and can alter the strategies available at key moments. The exploration moments of the game are quite standard for an RPG, with the choice of 'chapters' rather than a free exploring. The main gameplay comes into play when in battle, and it is very well done indeed. Each character must equip four items before a battle, and the properties of these change depending on the character using them. A weapon maybe useful for one character but simply a limiting factor for another; the player must find the right combinations out and use them to the advantage of given battles. When certain items are used a number of times they can become 'developed' and allow special attacks. These are especially rewarding as you really feel that you have earned them - rather than just being given them on a plate as in most games. With the developers claiming that the game will last around 20 to 35 hours, there is a great deal of game to be experienced. And from what we have seen, we would be more than happy to see how the story and characters progress. As yet there is no UK release date for this game, although rumours of an early 2006 release seem probable after its decent faring in the US. Let's just hope that we finally get to see the game in its finished UK form soon anyway. Chris Barnett             Latest Images:		Related Games:  Riviera: The Promised Land for Game Boy Advance  8  Screenshots  1  Preview Click here for All Game Information.
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