bit-tech Shopping: Nintendo Eternal Darkness (GC)

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3

Strengths: Great storyline, definately some scares, fun use of magic

Weaknesses: Some of the puzzles take some time to figure out

Summary: This is one of the best 10 games I have ever played. It basically took up all the free time I had because I was so excited about playing. I came into it with low expectations and was really impressed.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2

Strengths: (1) Great story and characters (2) Involving and unique magic system (3) Good graphics (4) Good voice work (5) 3 different endings/alignments = great replayability

Weaknesses: (1) Could use more enemy types (2) Levels get reused, however, it is kind of cool to revisit them in different time periods and see how they changed

Summary: Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem is one of my top ten favorite games of all time. It has a captivating story and original characters that are believable. The game tells a tale of the struggle between gods and how mankind gets tangled up in it over different periods of time. You get to play many characters throughout the game. It is divided into chapters, each one is an interesting adventure that ties into the overall mythos. I really liked the fighting and magic system, too. When using conventional weapons, you can choose to target the head, body or arms of a creature. The magic is also really cool as it feels as if you are really experimenting with ancient runes to rediscover a long lost power. Further experimentation leads to an upgraded magic, once you figure out how the runes and artifacts work. The game is really well paced and throws tons of curves your way. Some of these can be found in the insanity effects. If you character takes too much damage, he or she will start to hallucinate which messes with the players mind. These effects are very entertaining, in fact, one might find themselves purposefully remaining at low health in order to see what all the game has to offer. I bought this one at full price and played through it 3 times to get all the endings. Each time you play through it, you experience things a little differently (provided you choose a different artifact each time at the first chapter). When you have played through the 3 different ways, you are presented with a more complete picture of the story and ending. Highly recommended.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 3 Years

Strengths: Many somewhat interesting characters, story

Weaknesses: Some chapters are plain dull, graphics

Summary: Eternal Darkness is pretty good, but not great. With the graphics it is noticable that this was originally a Nintendo 64 game, but it's by no means ugly, simply not pushing the Gamecube to the limit. The game has a lot of puzzles, the only problem is they are way too obvious. One of my main problems was the magick system, while interesting, was boring to relearn every time I picked it up because of the weird naming nonsense. Sanity also seemed way too gimmicky and didn't so much for the actual game. PS: Alexandra Roivas is not hot

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Years

Strengths: Ambitious plot, insanity!

Weaknesses:

Summary: This is probably the closest anybody will ever see to a Call of Cthulhu video game. If you like Lovecraft, you will like this game. The story spanning 2000 years is very ambitious and rewarding, as is being able to play through different characters in different time frames. The way the game reacts to the psychological trauma your characters suffer from seeing horrible things is great! Gamecube definitely needs more games like this, and I highly recommend everybody buy this game.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Years

Strengths: Creepy Story, Excellent Graphics

Weaknesses: I really can find any fault with this game

Summary: For the first time, Nintendo really steps out of the kiddie arena, and makes an "M" rated game that truly is spectacular. With a great story, extremely creepy atmosphere, and 12 characters to use, this game is top notch. The Sanity meter really spices things up as you can lose your mind by seeing some of the creatures that you go up against. Magic, mystery, and mayhem make this a game to own, especially that you can now find it in stores for $10 and under.