This must be a miracle...
Don't get me wrong, I grew up playing AD&D and Ultima on the computer, Phantasy Star, Final Fantasy, and a great deal other RPGs. However as the years passed, I quickly grew tired of the marginal gaming aspect and almost not even there battle system of RPGs (before you argue, if you call Final Fantasy's way of fighting a battle system, then shopping on target.com, navigating a database, or voting are also battles, since all of these, like the FF "battle system", are simply comprised of going through menus).
So then I got Magical Starsign for Christmas. I had seen the ads, but was not interested since I don't like just holding down a button (and choosing who I'm holding it down at) to fight. But it was a present, and I'm not ungrateful, so I gave it a shot.
Boy was I surprised.
First off, the story is very whimsical and does not take itself too seriously (a fatal flaw in so many games these days). The characters are likeable and not overly clichéd despite trying to represent every demographic through somebody (another flaw in too many games). You are able to choose whether you are male of female and your character is not angst driven, moody, amnesiac, bitter, or a loner, which is a plus. No mysterious, obtusely contrived back story to wade through (I LOVE back story, but GOOD back story).
The visuals and sound are well done. Vibrant colors compliment the varied locales while the tunes are pleasant enough. Again, everything has a light hearted look, as well as a stylized one.
And the gameplay DOESN'T SUCK. Just how is this marvel accomplished, you may ask. Well, rather than keep the battles sterile affairs where the characters and enemies are separated by an invisible and uncrossable wall and often obscured by layer after layer of menu, the battles in Magical Starsign are actually engaging. This is done by keeping the menus to a minimum, the action fast paced, and having the characters interact with each other. When you punch an enemy, your character jumps over to it and actually punches it. When the enemy hits you with its staff, it moves to you and hits you with the staff. This seems minor, but it makes the battle actually seem like... a battle. It's amazing what a little difference like that can make. In addition, if you manage to tap your character at the right moment when casting a spell you can deal extra damage. This manages to keep the battle exciting since you actually play a role in how the battle turns out, not relying solely on the rolling of imaginary dice. Finally, the camera also zooms around enough to make it exciting but not too much to seem spastic.
Wonderfully, leveling up is not so tedious that it becomes a chore.
All the controls of the game are done via the stylus. I was one of the many skeptical, even after many months of owning a DS. However, I overcame my unwarranted prejudice and am now a believer. The use of the stylus in Magical Starsign is well done and unobtrusive.
I cared enough about this game and enjoyed it enough to play it all the way to the end, which is amazing for an RPG I don't have a ton of nostalgia for. I would recommend this game to any who enjoy the RPG genre, and those who are curious.