Evolution Worlds
December 20, 2002

     Mag Launcher, a young adventure living in Pannam Town, searches for the legendary cyframe, Evolutia.  He dreams of becoming a famous adventurer like his parents.  Three years ago, Mag’s parents never came back from an adventure, and Linear, a young girl, was left at the Launcher’s doorstep; carrying a letter from Mag’s father.  Along with the accompaniment of friends such as Gre Nade, Linear Cannon and Chain Gun, Mag sets out on many adventures.

     Quite a while back, Evolution Worlds was a fairly hyped up and anticipated game.  Does it live up to its expectations?  Does it satisfy the cravings of an avid RPG fan?  Honestly, I’d answer no and no again to these questions.  Well, this is coming from a person who’s never played the Dreamcast version.  So I can’t comment on how different or similar or if it was just a port or whatever, I hear it’s just a port of Evolution 1 and 2 but I don’t know.  Thus, I will comment on my personal experiences.

     I was looking forward to this game.  I read up on some info and such, and it did look quite appealing.  But then I get my hands on it, and I don’t like it at all.  It seems that only 20% of that time is actual gameplay and the 80%, is the horrendously stupid and lackluster cut scenes.

     This is the first traditional turn-based role-playing game on the Gamecube.  Yeah, I found a little about myself as a gamer too when playing this game; to come up with the conclusion that I very much get bored of turn-based systems!  They’re so tedious and monotonous in this game.  Killing enemies after enemies, generate a most unchallenging objective.  So dull, that I’m surprised how I’ve managed to stay awake to write this review.  The dungeons are also stale, presenting a most redundant atmosphere with basically the same usage of textures of every level.  Reaching the boss by going through series of floors is no fun task; but rather, an unnecessary chore. 

     Graphics never mean anything in a game, and Evolution Worlds’ does neither look horrible nor look beautiful.  Developers of Evolution Worlds boast hundreds of voice-acted characters, even though they may present a very small role.  Well, actually good voice-acting is something to take pride in, but absolutely awful voice-acting is not at all something one should be proud of.  Yes, and if you didn’t take the hint, I meant the voice-acting was awful in Evolution Worlds.  And what’s with these cheesy lines, like Mag’s ‘I can’t believe it!’, and Chain’s ‘Look at me now!,’ all part of the process of producing cheese.  Very annoying too.  Ah yes, the music.  I didn’t care for the music.  It was mostly the same yadda yadda yadda.  Nothing flashy, and nothing great.  Yeah, and what’s up with the character’s names ‘Mag Launcher’, ‘Gre Nade’, ‘Linear Cannon’, ‘Chain Gun’, ‘Pepper Box’?  Man… Oh!  Almost forgot to mention the horrible camera!  Every time you're moving you always have to adjust the camera to see.  Now that is annoying.  You'll be lucky if you don't have a migraine by the time you're done playing it.

   Overall, my impressions of this game were definitely negative.  It just rolls on.  I’m definitely disappointed.  If you’re an RPG fan who owns a Gamecube, I suggest getting Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II or Lost Kingdoms.  Don’t worry there are still more (hopefully good), RPG’s coming out for the ‘Cube.  Such as, Skies of Arcadia, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, and Lost Kingdoms II.  I’m very thankful that I had only rented this game.  I suggest you do too before blowing your money on a piece of junk.  If you enjoy the traditional turn-based style RPG’s, then maybe Evolution Worlds is for you.

- Bobo

Rating: