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SECRET OF EVERMORE Company: Enix Released: October 1995 Genre: Action RPG Graphics: 8.5 Control: 8.5 Sound/Music: 8.5 Storyline: 8.5 Review by: Corbie Dillard ©2008 SUPER-NES.COM

After the huge success of Secret of Mana, Square decided to take things in a slightly different direction. Although US gamers missed out on the true sequel of Secret of Mana, with Seiken Desnetsu 3 only being released in Japan, we did get the first US-developed Square rpg ever with Secret of Evermore. Square was obviously trying to create an action rpg with more of an "American" feel to it, and the result, while not nearly as grand as Seiken Densetsu 3 (Secret of Mana II), is a very enjoyable and unique action rpg that has a very divided audience among US gamers. Some love it, and some hate it. But what you've got to admit is it's at least in the better half of the Super NES' long lineup of rpgs and that's pretty good company when you think about it. Graphically, Secret of Evermore is quite a departure from most previous Square rpgs. While you'll notice a few similairities, the vibrant use of color is all but gone. Most of the areas in the game have a more realistic color scheme that makes the areas themselves not look quite as colorful, but a little more true-to-life. It really works well when you see it in action. The game does have that 16-bit quality that you saw in Secret of Mana, and even some of the characters in the game have some funny animations at times. There not quite as animated or realistic as those found in Chrono Trigger, but a big step up from those in Secret of Mana. There's plenty of variety in the areas as each new place you enter has a very unique look all its' own. What impressed me more than anything in this game was the bosses. Some are absolutely huge, including the very first one you fight which is a giant spider. As in most SNES games, there is the trademark Mode 7 which pops up anytime the air shuttle is involved, but it's nothing that we haven't seen 100 times before in almost every other SNES game. You just need to see the game for yourself to appreciate the unique look the game has and how well in works within the framework of the story that's being told. For some reason the developers of Evermore decided to make the soundtrack a part of the background of the game itself. In some areas you won't even hardly hear any music at all, just a few sound effects. Maybe that's why when you do hear one of the great tunes in the game you appreciate it so much more. I absolutely love most of the music in this game, and that's why I'm surprised it's never gotten the same kind of attention that Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy III gets. Some of it, in the prehistoric forest areas, has a very tribal sound it, while others have a more futuristic sound when you enter those type of areas of the game. Sound effects are about like they are in every other Square rpg. Simple but they get the job done and serve their purpose well. It's also worth noting that if you have your SNES connected to a good set of stereo speakers that you're in for a treat. Not only is the music outstanding, but Secret of Evermore features some of the loudest "booms" you're ever likely to hear, especially from a video game. These come in especially handy when you're neighbor is trying to sleep late. All in all a very well done soundtrack and seriously underrated. For those of you that have played Secret of Mana, you're gonna feel right at home with this game. It obviously borrows heavily from almost every aspect of play control found in Mana and even improves upon it in some places. As in Mana, you can swing a weapon which requires it to recharge before you swing it again, at least if you want to do any real damage. You'll also find the easy-to-use "ring" menu system that makes choosing game options quick and easy. One new element that Secret of Evermore introduces is "alchemy." This allows you to combine two unique ingredients into a magical potion of sorts. There are tons of different combinations that you'll learn as the game progresses and these will come in really handy for the boss fights and enemies later in the game. It also forces you to spend a lot of time searching for the ingredients you need to create these magic spells. I thought it added a nice touch to an already well done play system. You start the game off with a bone as your weapon, but each area in the game holds new and more effective weapons, you just have to locate them, which is sometimes easier said than done. Boss fights are where you're going to see the most challenge in the game, with a couple of these bosses being downright vicious. Hey, at least you have your dog around to help out. I've always wished that the true sequel to Secret of Mana had been released here in the US but I've also not been one of those rpg gamers that held it against this game. Secret of Evermore is a really enjoyable rpg that never strives too far from the successful formula introduced by Secret of Mana. All it does is take the great elements from Mana and introduces just enough new ideas to make it stand on its' own. It's got a great new look, some really cool "alchemy" recipes, and enough challenge to keep you busy for many hours. It's at least obvious that US developers are talented and creative enough to come up with some original rpg ideas and nothing shows that more than Secret of Evermore. One of the most underrated Super NES rpgs and one I like even better than Secret of Mana. (Wow, sometimes I just ask for the hate mail!)