Magic Knight Rayearth

Many gamers may not know it, but there is a SNES version of Magic Knight Rayearth. Most of RPGamers are only aware of the RPG by the same name for the Sega Saturn. Is there a MKR for SNES? Yes. Is it out in the U.S.? No. Thanks to the translation-hobbysts, we get to see just what this game is like. While this game is not a knock-out RPG, but this isn't a bad one either. By: GoDSmurF

Graphics: 6/10

The graphics here are iffy. If it weren't for the anime-style protraits for each character when they talk, I really don't think I would like this game's graphics. The battles aren't much to behold. The town graphics are redundant. But there's still a classic anime feeling to it and therefore it warrants an above average score.

Sound: 6/10

Well, this game's sounds are pretty much like a majority of other Japanime RPGs. Voice-overs during battles, classic anime music in other parts of the game with the exception of during battles, where the music is taken over by a generic fight song. Not bad certainly, but not good either. The voice overs sound a bit muffled, as the music sounded low-sampling.

Play Control / Gameplay: 5.5/10

MKR's battle system really doesn't outshine any other RPG's. It remains the standard formula of leveling up, beat bosses. While this is not a bad battle system, but they don't add anything new at all. Normally when a RPG is released, the game company usually goes through a series of examination just to make sure that this game distinguishes itself from the rest of the RPGs. MKR did not attempt to do this. It has the same generic turn-based battle system. The only thing makes this unique at all is the character's special attacks, which resemble each of their attacks in the anime.

Overall Score: 5/10

Overall this had been a disappointing experience to me. I liked the anime a lot. I guess I placed my expectations too high after playing Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon: Another Story. Both of these games are anime-inspired RPGs. Sailor Moon somehow manages to pull off everything much more plished than MKR. I just sincerely hope that MKR will get a remake for one of the next generation systems. Some actual animations from the series would be very nice. But I guess my point is, this is not a good game, but neither is it bad. This is an "okay" game, with completely everything generic except for the images of MKR characters.