This week on Retro Game Friday I’m covering a game I can’t believe I waited this long to cover. It’s Golden Sun!

Plot Synopsis: The prevalent force of Alchemy in Weyard’s ancient past enabled the development of great civilizations. However, this thriving period eventually gave way to worldwide conflict that subsided only with the sealing away of Alchemy. The keys to unlocking Alchemy, the four Elemental Stars which hold the pure power of the four elements, are hidden within the mountain shrine, Mt. Aleph, which in turn is guarded by the town of Vale at the mountain’s base. In the game’s prologue, Saturos and Menardi, with help from a raiding party, storm Mt. Aleph with the intention to seize the Elemental Stars for themselves. They fail to solve the riddles guarding the stars and are driven away by the mountain’s trap, a magically generated thunderstorm and rock slide.

Plot: The plot of the game is amazing, especially considering that the gameplay is equally as amazing. This is one of the best JRPG’s you can play in terms of story.

Characters: The characters in this game are great, my personal favorite is Ivan, just because he’s associated with the wind. The rest of the cast is amazing though, and I loved every character.

Gameplay: The gameplay is quite fun, and it’s a new take on the standard traditional JRPG archetype of battling with a party of 4. In addition to that the magic system, the Djinn system, is quite interesting and fun.

Art: The art is definitely dated, but at the time it looked pretty freaking good for a portable game.

Music: One of the very few games I listened to the music to as a portable game, the music is just as good as everything else.

Overall: If you haven’t played this game, go find a copy somewhere and play it. It is well worth your time.

For those who like: RPGs, Great Plots, Amazing Gameplay, Excellent Cast of Characters, Fantastic Music.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above, but how can you hate all of that?