Summary
An expansive sequel to a beloved classic, Golden Sun: The Lost Age offers a rich RPG experience filled with strategic combat, deep lore, and the unforgettable quest to control the power of alchemy. It remains a must-play for RPG fans and a highlight of the GBA library.
- Release Year: 2002
- Genres: Adventure, Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: Game Boy Advance, Wii U
- Developers: Camelot Software Planning
- Publishers: Nintendo
Introduction
Golden Sun: The Lost Age is a continuation and expansion of the Golden Sun saga, exploring the consequences of alchemy’s potential release into the world. This article delves into the game’s intricate design, its impact on players, and its legacy within the RPG genre.
Synopsis
“Golden Sun: The Lost Age” is a role-playing video game for the Game Boy Advance, developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo. It is the second installment in the Golden Sun series, released on June 28, 2002, in Japan, and in 2003 in North America and Europe.
The game picks up the story right after the events of the first game. The Lost Age puts the player into the roles of the previous games’ antagonists, primarily from the perspective of magic-attuned “adepts” Felix and his allies as they seek to restore the power of alchemy to the world of Weyard.
The world of Weyard is a flat disk-like plane where the oceans endlessly flow over the edge of the world’s entire perimeter, collectively known as Gaia Falls. All matter on Weyard, living or inanimate, is comprised of any combination of the four elemental building blocks of reality: Venus (earth, ground, and plantlife), Mars (fire and heat), Jupiter (air and electricity), and Mercury (water and the cold).
An individual that has the ability to manipulate at least one of these elements using a mental, spiritual power is classifiable as an Adept of that element, and the act of elemental manipulation, which resembles magical sorcery, is known as using Psynergy of that element.
The game follows Felix and his allies on a quest to light two lighthouses and awaken an ancient magic, without which the world will end. Along the way, the player uses Psynergy to defeat enemies and discover new locations, help out local populations, and find elemental djinn which augment the characters’ powers.
Players can transfer their characters and items from Golden Sun to The Lost Age through a password system or Game Link Cable, and are rewarded for fully completing both games. The Lost Age follows the same traditional role-playing video game formula as Golden Sun. Players control a cast of characters as they journey through a fantasy-themed world, interact with other characters, battle monsters, acquire magic spells and equipment, and take part in a building, predefined narrative.
While many actions the player takes are compulsory and central to the story, The Lost Age allows them to complete many objectives in the order they choose. As well, visiting previous locations to advance story elements and complete gameplay objectives are given a stronger emphasis than in the previous game.
Upon release, The Lost Age was positively received by critics and audiences. IGN ranked the game as the eighth-best Game Boy Advance title of 2003 and the 22nd-best GBA game of all time. It has sold over 680,000 units. It was eventually followed by a third installment, titled Dark Dawn, released in 2010 and set thirty years after the two original games.
Characters
The game features Felix, Jenna, Sheba, and Piers as main characters, each with unique Psynergy abilities and backgrounds, contributing to the game’s rich lore and character-driven storytelling.
Gameplay
Combining traditional turn-based battles with puzzle-solving elements, the game introduces new Djinni, Psynergy spells, and summons. Players can customize their party’s abilities extensively, leading to varied gameplay experiences. The LAN PvP mode added a competitive layer to the game.
Conclusion
Golden Sun: The Lost Age stands as a testament to the depth and creativity possible in handheld RPGs, offering a compelling story, engaging gameplay, and a world full of mysteries and wonders. Its legacy endures as a high point for the genre on the Game Boy Advance.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
Fan Art
Fan Art Style: Normal
Fan Art Style: Retro
Fan Art Style: Modern
