bit-tech Shopping: Atlus Riviera: The Promised Land (GBA)

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1 Month

Strengths: Solid handheld RPG

Weaknesses: Unlockables stay around forever

Summary: I picked this game up on good word of mouth, and it certainly met expectations. It's one of the better RPGs on the GBA in that I found it possible to play in short spurts when I had a few moments and also sit down and give it a good few hours of time. This is one of those games you really don't want to buy used: once things are unlocked in one playthrough, there's no way to reset them, so you'll miss out on some discovery there.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3

Strengths: Great graphics, sound, and battles. Very different than other RPGs, which is a good thing.

Weaknesses: Inventory and movement systems are wonky. Different isn't always a good thing.

Summary: Riviera is a terrific role playing game that offers something a little off the beaten path. Riviera has the character design and story elements that you'd expect from a good RPG, but has paired them with a game engine that emphasizes story and battling at the expense of free movement and large, varied inventories. This is a departure from most RPGs, and it takes some getting used to. No free movement does mean no pointless and time-consuming wandering, but it also gives a very limited, structured feel. The T.P. system feels cheap and artificial, as does the extremely limited inventory.However, a good RPG is a good RPG, even if it has a very different feel and strange rules. It's not only possible to deal with the rules system that Riviera has created, but to enjoy it too, for what it is.Riviera is worth the time to explore and appreciate. It has its own set of quirks, to be sure, but the rewards of playing are worth the effort. Recommended for RPG fans.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 4 Months

Strengths: Graphics, sound, game play

Weaknesses: None

Summary: Riviera is similar to many of the older RPGs, such as Final Fantasy. It is a turn based RPG in which you set out on a long adventure to, like most cases, save the world from peril. The battle system consists of weapon collection, using the weapons to master them, and leveling up from that mastery. Coincidentally, the weapons break after a number of usages, but by using the practice mode during the adventure, you can master your weapons without the penalty of breaking them and saving some of the stronger ones for later boss battles. The sound and graphics are both great and the storyline branches in different directions based on your choices. While there might not be any side quests, this is far from a linear adventure. Overall, I would highly recommend this game.

Rating: 10

Time with product:

Strengths: Great story, Nice animations, decent music, fun battle system

Weaknesses: None!

Summary: This is yet again another wonderful RPG from Atlus. This RPG has very pretty character designs. The game is a wonderful story and with multiple endings has much replay value. The inventory system can be a pain sometimes but after some time, this little bother nolonger pestered me. This RPG for the Gameboy Advance is a must own for Atlus and RPG lovers everywhere!

Rating: 8

Time with product: 5 Months

Strengths: Nice Anime graphics, good sound, an ORIGINAL GBA RPG (wow!)

Weaknesses: N/A

Summary: Original RPG's on the GameBoy Advance system are hard to come by these days. Riviera, released in 2005, fills the gap nicely. Though it is a turn-based Anime-styled Japanese RPG, it differs from it's cousins in that it does not promote endless exploring for treasure chests, hidden keys, or whatever. The player is thrust right into the action and plot. While some random exploration can be fun in a game, it is a nice treat to be spared that in the occasional game. The battles are a bit more standard with the turn-based, powerup, combo hitting elements that many other Japanese RPG's contain. Overall, Riviera is a nice little GBA RPG.