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TERRANIGMA Company: Enix Released: March 1996 Genre: Action-RPG Graphics: 9.0 Control: 9.0 Sound/Music: 9.0 Storyline: 9.5 Review by: Corbie Dillard ©2008 SUPER-NES.COM

Let's face it, the US Super Nintendo players did miss out on quite a few outstanding rpgs. We didn't get Secret of Mana 2, we didn't get Tales of Phantasia, and we didn't get Star Ocean. But the one rpg that I still to this day can't believe that Enix didn't release here in the US is Terranigma. After the outstanding Soul Blazer and Illusion of Gaia, it's unbelievable that Enix didn't see fit to release this third game in the series, which is by far and away, the best of the bunch and one of the best action-rpgs I've ever played. Lucky for US gamers, the game was released in Europe in an English version, so if you know how to install a PAL switch in your US Super Nintendo, then you can enjoy this amazing game. Enix rpgs have never stretched the bounds of the Super Nintendo's vast graphical capabilities, but you have to give them credit with Terranigma. Every area in the game has a very distinct look and feel to it, and you'll also find a lot of special effects strung throughout the game that give it a much higher quality look than most previous Enix role-playing games. I especially liked the 3/4 landscape view which gives a very realistic feeling of distance and depth when you're traveling around the overhead map screen. There's no mistaking, however, that this is a "Soul Blazer" series game as it shares many of the same stylings in its designs. The one thing Terranigma is not short on is variety, as every area you visit will look completely different than the previous ones. Bosses are where the game seems to shine a little brighter than usual with some insanely huge and intimidating monsters that will test your reflexes and pattern-solving abilities. It's a very impressive game visually. Although most die-hard SNES rpg fans consider the Soul Blazer series of games to have too much of an "off-beat" soundtrack to warrant any serious consideration, I've always enjoyed them. It might be worth mentioning that I was, and still am, a huge Soul Blazer and Illusion of Gaia fan, but there is no denying the merit that Terranigma's soundtrack encompasses. It's got everything from slow, melodic tunes, to the up-tempo beats you'll hear when danger is near. In fact, the opening tune that plays when you begin in Ark's village at the beginning of the game is one of my all-time favorite rpg soundtrack tunes. I very rarely part with the cash to buy a video game soundtrack, but I had no problem doing so with Terranigma as it's definately up there with Square rpg soundtrack work and in a few areas even better. Another testament to the power of the SNES sound chip. Terranigma is, for the most part, an action rpg. But you'll also find that there's quite a lot of variety in it's gameplay. Instead of swinging a sword, Ark uses different "lance-style" weapons, but it works really well and in my opinion is even easier to use than a sword would be. As in most rpgs, you will acquire newer and better weapons, armor, items, as well as magic gems that allow you to cast powerful spells for a short period of time. You can access all of these items with a simple press of the "select" button on your SNES controller at any time. It really makes switching items and gems fairly easy, even in the thick of battle. You'll also find that, at times, you'll need to acquire special items in order to continue on through various landscapes. One great thing about Terranigma is the sheer size of the game. Although the game is not that much longer than most others, it somehow gives you the impression of being so much larger and more intricate by allowing you so much freedom in the tasks that you perform. You can even have a hand in how large certain towns grow to just by your actions. Trust me you won't have any trouble staying busy while playing this game. It's chock full of fun and exciting things to do. As I've repeated over and over throughout this review, Terranigma is one of those rpgs that hooks you from the very beginning and doesn't let go until the credits roll. Why this game wasn't released here in the US is far beyond my comprehension. If you're one that found Soul Blazer a little too short and easy, and Illusion of Gaia a little too frustrating, then you're gonna love Terranigma. It's right in the middle. It's got a great, lengthy quest, but as long as you perform the tasks in the game and advance your character it never seems to get frustrating. It's as close to a perfect action/rpg blend as I've probably ever seen. Get this one!