Personal Review of Adventures of Alundra

[JasonBurrows]

Alundra, released in Europe as The Adventures of Alundra, is an action-adventure game developed by Matrix Software for the Sony PlayStation and was released in 1997. It was published by Sony in Japan, Working Designs in North America, and Psygnosis in Europe. It won great critical acclaim for its bizarre story and smooth game mechanics. The game's protagonist is a boy named Alundra, who learns that he has the power to enter people's dreams. He is shipwrecked near the village of Inoa and proceeds to try to help the locals, who have been suffering from a terrible curse. The narrative becomes gradually darker and more twisted as the game progresses. There is an emphasis on puzzle solving.

This review is on personal experience only as I completed it a while ago now.

_________________________________________________The graphics:
Not the best, now-a-days. However, I find the graphics to be quite stunning and remind me of the old days (I'm only 17, so don't say anything). Think ]The sound: [/b]
Nice, memorable songs that will make you want to return to the game time-after-time. Once again, much better than Link To The Past. The village music will be loved by all, in my opinion.

The gameplay:
Pretty much typical, Zelda-style gameplay. Difference being that you can jump. You can go in and out of people's dreams, to save them from an evil nightmare-maker (where the dreamers can die within (Nightmare On Elm Street)). Magic can be used, once the scroll/spellbook has been found. Each spell used uses a crystal, which can be restored in an inn (or in certain places).

The inventory Screen:
Very similar to Zelda: Ocarina Of Time, but without the map screen. The player can take a maximum of 9 herbs (which heal slightly)and a magical/mystical lamp which revives Alundra. All of the crystals found (like Ocarina Of Times Medallions) are placed on a key item screen.

Enemies:
Imaginative. Easy earlier on and harder later on; standard.

Bosses:
Imaginative. From a giant blob that repeatedly splits, to a monster with a giant gut that has a giant mouth on it.

Puzzles:
You guessed it; imaginative. From traditional stand on switch, to "put stones in order of how the weather falls".

Characters:
All of the characters have unique personalities. You'll become attached to each and every one of them...except maybe the religious freak, but who knows.

Story:
Extreme perfection. A villain starts attacking a small-time village, via a variety of different ways. Often in their dreams. You are Alundra and must try to protect all of the villagers...which is not easy. This can be one at a time, or maybe two (there are twins, for instance). Lots of twists.

<big>Conclusion: </big>
Worth buying. Ebay has plenty of copies of Alundra at the moment (March 2008), and they are reasonably cheap at the moment.
Buy, whatever you do, buy!

 

[AndyB]

I don't care much for the game, and I doubt I'll get it.
But...
I get that a review is an opinion, and I respect that.
It's just this review is so empty. And you really haven't thought it out of what you were going to say.
I find this lacking, maybe you can do better in the future.

 

[JasonBurrows]

kk, I like Constructive Critisism, and if it is negative, I'll happy still as it's your opinion.

No one can change anyone's mind, it's their own mind and what they think is up to them.

 

[Trent the Paladin]

Why is your review so bland and boring? Spice it up, like telling us why it's good.

 

[Yokie]

My friend have this. He says it's hard to solve the puzzles. :J

 

[JasonBurrows]

Why is your review so bland and boring? Spice it up, like telling us why it's good.

Can I ask how you'd go around spicing it up, a clue please Tom?

 

[Trent the Paladin]

Why is your review so bland and boring? Spice it up, like telling us why it's good.

Can I ask how you'd go around spicing it up, a clue please Tom?

Go in depth with the Story, Gameplay and why it would possess high replay value.

 

[JasonBurrows]

Why is your review so bland and boring? Spice it up, like telling us why it's good.

Can I ask how you'd go around spicing it up, a clue please Tom?

Go in depth with the Story, Gameplay and why it would possess high replay value.

ok thanks, I'll do that later.