Guardian's Crusade is not the greatest role-playing game of all time, nor is it something that could be considered revolutionary amongst its peers. But what this gem for the original PlayStation does boast is a spellbinding approach to both interactive gaming and storytelling that seems to be missing from many games of the modern era. My first experiences with Guardian's Crusade were ones of wonderment - I was probably no more than ten years old at the time, and had played many other, arguably more "sophisticated" RPGs (games such as Xenogears come to mind), but the degree at which the traditional turn-based gameplay in Guardian's Crusade held interest was an impressive feat. The main character is the fittingly-named Knight, a young boy starving for adventure who happens upon a strange occurence while exploring a cave. A small, pink creature (named Baby by default, though you can change its name) seems to have been abandoned, and is endangered by the monsters in the cavern. Knight takes the being under his wing, and soon discovers that it possesses supernatural talents. The two then set off on a journey that will take them all over the world, in search of Baby's mother and how his abilities fall into a grand plot. The role-playing gameplay in Guardian's Crusade is pretty standard to the casual eye, but it's the way things seem so magical and coherent as a whole that makes it good. The story progresses at a perfect pace, feeding you characters and involving them in the emotionally impactful journey of Knight and Baby. By the time you reach the dramatic climax, you will feel so a part of things that you won't want it to end - the penultimate feeling in an RPG. Little details combine to put the finishing touches on Guardian's Crusade. You can find an assortment of "Living Toys" throughout the quest that each enact special abilities (finding these is an addictive journey in itself), and you use items such as cheeseburgers rather than the cookie-cutter magical potions. These small elements contribute to the overall inspiration of this title. Guardian's Crusade is pretty rare nowadays, but there is really no reason not to take a look. Sure the graphics a bit blocky, but the interesting, often light-hearted narrative alone makes this a great game.
Back in 1999 when my brother picked out Guardians Crusade for his birthday present I told him he was a moron and that he wasted his money. I even made fun of him for the game’s pink disc. In all reality Guardians Crusa... Read Full Review
Guardian's Crusade is a perfect example of why we continue to play games. It's so simplistic, intuitive, memorable, and, well.... Fun! It's hours and hours of pure gaming bliss that anyone can play and enjoy. The game... Read Full Review
