Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage
by THQ
Our Price: $32.59
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Category: Video Games
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Product Summary
Platform: Nintendo 64Publisher: THQ
Video Game Reviews of Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage
Customer Review: Possibly the most underappreciated console RPG of all time.
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember preordering this game, how it drew me in from the moment the power button was pressed, and had me playing through multiple times for the various endings. Everything is clear to me so many years later, except for why this game got poor reviews from so many popular critics. Even reading the full review from GameSpot, I had a hard time seeing how a written review that appeared very positive could translate to a number as mediocre (literally) as "5.9". Reading that review I would expect to scroll up to the top of the page and see number similar to what games like Mass Effect, who received some similar gripes, had. Mass Effect's initial release on the Xbox 360 bolstered an 8.5 rating from GameSpot, by the way. Many people only give games a chance after seeing what they feel is an accurate and trusted review, so this is particularly saddening.
What this game lacked in graphics, it made up for in so much more. Ways that quenched the turn-based RPG thirst of the few who ignored the horrible reviews and gave this game a chance, as you can well see by user review average which is more true to this game's actual stature. For the type of setting this game took place in, I don't think I've ever, to this day, seen a better story with more immersion than Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage. The developers took a chance with many things, and perhaps the world wasn't ready for it just yet. They made a RPG with a darker tone, deeper characters, broader setting, and created something older gamers could get excited about. This wasn't just another Final Fantasy spoof; this was real deal innovation.
I won't speak much on the details of the actual story, but it is a mind full. By a mind full, I mean there is a lot going on in this game, in a lot of places. You will often find yourself pausing the game, sitting quietly for a moment just to take it all in and try to figure out what just happened, what's happening now, and where all of it is leading.
The characters are deep, memorable, and come in nice variety. There's someone for everyone to relate to, from the deviant and sexy thief, to the hulking and honorable knight, and many personas in between. Many of these characters struggle with very human problems and thoughts, which we hadn't seen a lot of in games before this one. Now, we see this sort of thing all the time.
My final words in defense of this game would be this:
You can enjoy a game when it releases, and it's a -good- game. If you can look back on it fondly seven years later, and still enjoy thinking about the characters and the story, then you have a, not good, but great game. Aidyn Chronicles is a great game.
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