Golden Sun: The Lost Age
May 4, 2003

     After nearly two years of the initial release of the original Golden Sun, and almost a year after its release in Japan, we are finally given a North American version of Golden Sun: The Lost Age.  Meaning, we no longer need to play the Japanese version on an- *cough* *cough* excuse me. I think I’ve got something in my throat.  Anyhow, let’s get back on track.

     In Golden Sun: The Lost Age, we continue where the first one left off.  But this time, we play as Felix and his party; while leaving Isaac on a wild goose chase.  Contrary to Isaac’s quest, Felix’s quest is to light the beacons of the two reaming lighthouses: Jupiter and Mars.  For whatever reason, is yet to be revealed.  We’ll once again meet up with Jenna, Kraden and Sheba who we were introduced to in the first Golden Sun.

     Hrm… where to start?  Oh yes, you’re able to transfer your party’s stats and items from the first Golden Sun via a link cable or password.  (Heh… the Gameboy Advance Sp couldn’t have come at a better time.)  If you’ve never played the first Golden Sun, then that’s alright; but I recommend starting with the first if you’re new.  Special events will happen if you transfer your data.  Also, you’ll get the gist of the story of the story better if you start with Golden Sun.

     Anyway, I guess I’ll start off with the negatives of this game instead of the positive.  Sadly, just as Isaac was mute in Golden Sun, Felix is too, lost his ability of speech in The Lost Age.  Again I find this a bit annoying and awkward.  Imagine a conversation where the people around you are talking about you as if your not there, well that’s kind of what it feels like.  I think it’s too much like The Legend of Zelda.  I would have preferred it if they made it somewhat similar to Skies of Arcadia, where Vyse actually speaks and you can somewhat control what he says.  But there is some good news about Isaac in The Lost Age: Isaac really is capable of speech!

     Let’s go on to more negative aspects of Golden Sun: The Lost Age.  Yes, again when you speak to someone the annoying squeaking ‘voices’ are still there, but there’s an option to turn it off, but I don’t bother for some reason, laziness perhaps?

     Enough of the negatives, looking at the brighter side of things always make people happier (so I’ve heard).  Now you see why I focused more on the negatives first, because all I can say is that Golden Sun: The Lost Age is one of the best Gameboy Advance games out there, if not the best.  What makes The Lost Age surpass its predecessor is that it’s longer; you’ll find yourself spending about 40+ hours on side quests, leveling up, etc.  The Lost Age includes new psyngergy, new monsters, plus a lot more strategy is involved.  The story is much of the driving force of The Lost Age; you’ll find yourself being sucked into the world of Wayard.  Just think of Golden Sun twice as good, and you’ll get a pretty good idea of how good Golden Sun: The Lost Age is. 

- Bobo

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