Magical Vacation Preview
Bronie Brown is a relative new development house set up by ex-Squaresoft members who were key members on the team that created the classic SNES game, The Secret of Mana. Their first effort for the gba is a new action/RPG called Magical Vacation, which follows in The Secret of Mana’s footsteps by focusing on team play and communication. Very few games in this genre end up becoming classic gaming experiences but if The Secret of Mana is anything to go by then Magical Vacation is destined to join the ranks of great gba RPG games like Golden Sun.
Magical Vacation takes place in a mysterious land called the ‘Plain of Light’ where a group of apprentice sorcerers have been taken to by a mysterious foe called ’the Enigma’. In the game you will have to work together with a party to make your way home. Sounds much like a standard RPG fare but Brownie Brown have gone the extra-mile to incorporate communication elements that will allow true multiplayer gaming as well as the option to play with computer-controlled party members.
Throughout your journey you’ll fight enemies, learn new skills and magic, and develop a deep story line. With a addition to the communication elements, relationships and friendships play a major role in Magical Vacation. For example, multiple characters will be able to develop joint-magic with one another, paving the for combined and varied attacks. The games battle system is heavily focused on magic as opposed to hand-to-hand combat. One of the more interesting features is the ability to create a ‘magic doll’ out of items you have collected. Depending on what ‘magic doll’ you build, it’s skills will vary accordingly.
Graphically Magical Vacation features outstanding examples of artwork and detail, thanks to the power of the gba. Environments are colourful and superbly animated and are a testament to the work Brownie Brown are putting into this title. The game play itself is very reminiscent of Zelda and The Secret of Mana with it’s real-time battles and character development. Released in Japan, during December, Magical Vacation is awaiting an English translation which puts it’s western release somewhere in 2002. It’s great to see so many games of this genre on their way here!