Guardian Saga

Guardian Saga by 9th Bit Games is a charming RPG title released in 2011 for iOS.  One need only look at the screen shots to understand that this title is a homage to Dragon Quest and other such early console RPG games, and for that, it gets it right.  The visual style, animation and chiptune music all fits perfectly within that realm.  It will immediately take you on a grand nostalgia trip.

Unfortunately, that trip proves very brief.  The problem with Guardian Saga is that it does one thing very well: evoke the feel and style of old-school console RPGs.  The trouble is, beyond its sense of style, it is seriously lacking in substance.  You see, Guardian Saga is easy.  Starting out, you'll find yourself grinding to level up, and the first time you encounter a wolf it'll probably eat you for breakfast.  But with a little time grinding you'll quickly be able to cut your way through most of what the game throws at you.  Emphasis on "little"; it doesn't take long to turn yourself into a powerhouse who can mow through everything.  I'd say around the half-way point in the game you'll be coasting, and by the time you reach the final boss, it's a serious letdown.  I honestly wasn't expecting the game to end when it did, because completing it proved so fast and easy.

...notice I used the word "fast".  That's point two against Guardian Saga: it is very, very short.  The game has five main dungeons and a few other locations to explore.  The problem is that the overworld and the dungeons are all quite small, and combining that with the general ease of the game makes the experience all-too short.  Just when you're expecting the game to open up and really get going, the credits roll.

Combine all of that with the extreme simplicity of the game, with few items and few spells and few reasons to keep exploring, and it's all a recipe for a letdown.  It's charming, it's fun for awhile, but ultimately it's like eating cotton-candy: sweet for a moment, but just when you get a taste, it's gone and you're still hungry.  There's more of Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest than Dragon Quest in this RPG, and it's a crying shame because there is so much potential here.