December 2017 Game of the Month: Illusion of Gaia

[lilbud]

I guess 2nd time really was the charm. Let's go for a 3-peat. The game of the month for December is going to be...

Illusion of Gaia

• Developer: Quintet

• Publishers: Enix, Nintendo

• Platforms: SNES

Illusion of Gaia (or Illusion of Time for our European friends) is an Action RPG released in 1993 in Japan for the Super Famicom, one year later for the States and one more after that for Europe. You never really hear anyone mention this game anywhere. Sure, you will see the occasional blog or Reddit post about it, but nothing outside of that. It got amazing reviews upon release, and was then kind of pushed to the wayside after a few years. But it never had more time in the spotlight, not exactly hidden, but a gem nonetheless.

If I had to describe this game, it would be Link to the Past with several additions. You get a more grounded story this time, set in our world and not generic fantasy world #15. Real world locations are brought in to the game. Our main character isn't wielding swords or suplexing trains. He is using a flute that occasionally talks to him and claims to be his dead father. (Certainly grounded indeed /s.) Now for the story.

You play the role of Will, he lives with his grandparents after his father was presumed dead in the Tower of Babel. Will somehow makes it back home and conveniently has no idea what happened. (Woo for amnesia for the sake of plot.) Long story short, you must get back to the Tower and find your father, (or his corpse, not sure which one yet.)

Reviews and General Links:

TV Tropes Page

Link to the manual

Now here is a link to the G.O.T.M Art Pack™. This includes custom box art for ES/Kodi or whatever you use. A launching image for the runcommand menu, and an Overlay for in game.

Game of the Month challenge

If you want, you can connect with RetroAchievements and get the Into Darkness achievement. Just beat the final boss and you're in the clear. If you don't use them, just post a screenshot to prove you beat it.

Have fun and have a Merry Christmas (or Hanukkah, or Kawanza, or whatever you celebrate this month) Have a happy whatever and don't take any crap from anyone :)

EDIT: I am rewriting this to be more fleshed out as I did the same and shared this on the subreddit.

[obsidianspider]

I mean, who hasn't gotten a letter like this?

[obsidianspider]

I finally beat the first boss after a few dozen tries, and what's my reward? Being stuck on a plank in the middle of the ocean.

Seriously though, this game is excellent. I'm really enjoying the Link to the Past style game play and quirky story.

[lilbud]

Had to take a few days to work on stuff (including passing my driver's test, woo!.) But I finally started this game. So far, it is very awesome and seems to have aged very well.

[PokeEngineer]

@lilbud

Congrats!

[obsidianspider]

Damn, game. A bit existential, no?

[celly]

@lilbud firing this up right now. Looks cool.

[lilbud]

I updated the OP to be more fleshed out.

[obsidianspider]

Got to the pyramid this weekend. I am really enjoying the game. Some of the dungeons take quite a while to figure out, and I felt that they're not quite balanced (The Great Wall of China was way too easy) but overall this is definitely an underrated game.

[lilbud]

@obsidianspider I'm only at the Sky Garden, but I share your thoughts on this game. It is truly a hidden gem and I've loved every moment of this game. Probably the best OST on the SNES.

[lilbud]

Patiently waits for the vinyl release of Illusion of Gaia OST

I mean, we did Kid Dracula and it got a vinyl OST run.

[lilbud]

Maybe we should start to think about January GOTM. Give some suggestions people.

Sadly not able to finish Gaia due to a lost save file in the move to a new PC.

[obsidianspider]

@lilbud I got busy after getting to the pyramid. One of these days I’ll finish it. Really good game.

[lilbud]

Here is the poll for the January GOTM. If anyone has more suggestions, let me know. Couldn't really ask before hand since the site was down all morning.

Poll: http://www.strawpoll.me/14734922

[obsidianspider]

Finished the game. The story is weird, but so good. It's not often that I get pulled in to the point that I am having an emotional response to what's happening to the characters.

[lilbud]

@lilbud The voting will probably end around 7:30 am on 1/2/18

[lilbud]

Voting is closed and the game of the month for January is Super Mario RPG for the SNES

[A Former User]

@lilbud Making a thread for it?

[lilbud]

@livefastcyyoung Yeah, when I get time to write the description and create the overlay. Probably tomorrow at some point.

[lilbud]

Link to the January thread: https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/15626/january-game-of-the-month-super-mario-rpg