⏰ In a rush? Don't worry, I gotchu'! ⏰
What Works:
✅ Unique RPG Relics: Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean and Baten Kaitos Origins offer a glimpse into the RPG landscape of the early 2000s, showcasing Monolith Soft's creativity and experimentation.
✅ Innovative Mechanics: The incorporation of real-world concepts into gameplay mechanics, such as the player being a guardian spirit and the use of Magnus cards, adds depth and uniqueness to the experience.
✅ Plot Twists: Both titles feature compelling plot twists that captivate players and drive the narrative forward, adding layers of intrigue and engagement.
✅ Artistic Style and Soundtrack: The graphical enhancements and Motoi Sakuraba's exceptional soundtrack elevate the immersive experience, capturing the essence of classic RPGs from the GameCube era.
What Doesn't Work:
❌ Clunky Magnus Concept: The Magnus system, while bold and innovative, can feel cumbersome and antiquated, leading to potential frustrations and inconveniences, particularly with the expiration mechanic.
❌ Complex Combat System: The turn-based combat system, heavily reliant on deckbuilding and timing, may present a steep learning curve and require patience to fully grasp and master.
❌ Performance Issues: Despite enhancements, both titles suffer from occasional frame drops and performance issues, detracting from the overall experience.
🌊 Dive into the RPG Relics: Baten Kaitos Collection
I've always been curious about Monolith Soft, a Nintendo first party studio and creator of franchises like Xenosaga or Namco x Capcom, and given that Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean (2003) and Baten Kaitos Origins (2006; prequel) have always been under the GameCube umbrella, with a third title for the Nintendo DS canceled, I approached this collection with a hungry desire to travel through one of the most peculiar RPG relics of the early 2000s.
🎮 Monolith Soft: A Legacy Defined
Before kicking off the analysis, I think it's crucial to contextualize Monolith Soft. If you're a fan of the genre and have survived in the dark for the past twenty years, this company's image is closely tied to the excellent world of Xenoblade Chronicles. However, lately, besides what was mentioned earlier in the previous paragraph, the company has been hard at work helping to build the best titles for the Nintendo Switch.
Do you know Breath of the Wild? Animal Crossing: New Horizons? Splatoon 3? Tears of the Kingdom? All titles that Monolith Soft helped bring out, and in between, they even have the audacity to pour out on their fans a pseudo-remake remaster, two new titles, and all the DLC associated with the Xenoblade Chronicles franchise on the Nintendo Switch. It's a team with incredible productivity and consistent high-quality levels.
For that same reason, the Baten Kaitos franchise, now available to all RPG fans with a Switch, has always piqued my curiosity as a window into the past of a studio like this. After spending a few hours with this collection, I notice several similarities to Xenoblade Chronicles, and perhaps one of the most meta and peculiar video games in recent memory.
🛡️ Interactive Real-World Concepts
I mention this because one of the aspects that stood out and impressed me during my adventure were the responses to real-world concepts that Baten Kaitos produces, rooted in various mechanics. For example, in Baten Kaitos, you (player) are a guardian spirit for the main character, with several characters interacting with you and depending on your decisions and advice, akin to the moral compass of more recent video games, receiving certain advantages in battle. Here, you realize that you, as a player, are actively recognized within that world, not as the agent who controls the main character (embodying it to some extent) but as a distinct character, and this gives a new meaning to all your actions.
📜 Plot Twists and Japanese Clichés
As for the plot, apart from other peculiarities, it doesn't surprise much until a certain point and is full of Japanese clichés perpetuated over the years: Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean details the vengeful journey of a teenager named Kalas. He wakes up in a village and circumstance after circumstance finds himself on a quest to save the world. Little or no novelty for you, almost certainly, at least until a certain plot twist halfway through that hits like a truck and subsequently captivates you until the end of the narrative.
Baten Kaitos Origins follows more or less the same path and twenty years before its successor. The plot follows Sagi, a black ops member of an empire where an ultra-secret mission went wrong, putting him on a path of political conspiracy and other clichés. All run-of-the-mill stuff until, of course, just like in the first game, a spectacular twist grabs your attention and holds it until the end of the story.
However, there is a differentiating element in the world of Baten Kaitos that governs not only turn-based combat but also stands out as another peculiarity (guardian spirits style). Magnus is its name, cards that absorb the magna essence of almost everything in the real world (except living beings). Considering the extraordinary intricacies of a typical RPG, carrying cards is a great justification for protagonists with Doraemon-like bags.
🃏 Magnus: A Unique Mechanic
But these magnus have much more to them. The mechanic serves mostly for battles but sees more use in the plot and in solving puzzles within Baten Kaitos. It's a brilliant idea but goes further with an annoying expiration date. Let me explain. At one point, in the first title, I collected two Pow Milk. Over time, they turned into Pow Milk Yogurt and later into Pow Milk Cheese. When I realized it, I no longer had what I needed to complete one of the quests. This is just one of the many antiquated aspects of game design in this genre, artificially creating extra hours of gameplay for rewards that amount to nothing.
I admit that on paper, it's a bold, different, and even cool idea, but I always felt it as a clunky mechanic. It may seem like an exaggeration, but this also affects the cards used for combat, with an example being Bamboo Shoots, healing magnus transforming into Young Bamboo, attack magnus. Apply this logic to any other magnus, and you'll realize that there's another element to consider during your everyday adventure, unpredictable and unsettling.
⚔️ Friction in Combat
That said, it was in combat that I faced more friction, spending long hours without really understanding how everything worked (despite there being tutorials). The thing is, turn-based combat relies heavily on deckbuilding, and every action taken in battle requires a corresponding card, whether it's for healing, attacking, or defending, and both attacks and defenses depend on your comfort with multitasking, reflexes, and attention. Again, let me explain.
Imagine this: You're in a cave and encounter a fire enemy. Combat starts, and your deck is composed of almost random cards. Following logic, it's almost guaranteed that everything from the enemy will be of the fire element, so without water, the opposite element, for both attack and defense, you're likely to have a tough time. So far, the logic seems easy: switch to water element cards, but here's the catch, while attacking or defending, you have a timing to play the cards you want.
Moreover, much of your success in battle will depend on a poker-like system, with attack combinations being stronger if you execute straights or pairs, where each magnus has a number, and if you match them or place them in succession, your combo will be much stronger. However, it's a bit annoying that each card has a certain ATK or DEF, weighing heavily on deckbuilding. So, as time goes on and difficulty increases, you progressively feel the need to tighten the noose with frequent changes to the deck to match the environment you're in. It's worth noting, however, that Origins, the prequel, simplified the formula a bit.
For those who love this vein of more experimental RPGs, embrace this dynamic and have good doses of patience, Baten Kaitos will have fun gameplay, but my experience, without taking away merit from the execution, as I recognize that it's more my ineptitude and itchiness, was more irksome than I'd like to admit. The two titles included in this collection are classics, of that you can be sure, but the combat system didn't click, which, on one hand, made me immensely grateful for the new pause menu where you can increase the game's speed, battles, destroy everything in one attack, or prevent any combat from happening.
🔄 Quality of Life Improvements
Not only does Baten Kaitos live by these Quality of Life improvements, but there's also improved graphical work in all aspects. Something to be commended, certainly, as both titles mark the end of an era with a mixture of 3D models and pre-rendered backgrounds, a technique considered innovative in the PlayStation era, now relegated to the nostalgia of every fan. Add to all this a soundtrack composed by Motoi Sakuraba, the genius responsible for Star Ocean, Tales of Arise, or Valkyrie Profile, and you get that classic RPG that simply isn't heard of these days.
I admit, unfortunately, that not all the edges are smoothed out. For a couple of titles touched up on the hardware in question, I expected flawless performance, but the truth is that frame drops exist. However, I also admit that at some point they obstructed my quest too much, albeit being only a point to be noted.
🎵 Classic RPG Experience
Notwithstanding what has already been pointed out as negative, such as antiquated game design in certain aspects, performance that does not do justice to the hardware it's inserted in, and the somewhat clunky magnus concept, both Baten Kaitos titles survive the test of time thanks to a slew of unique and experimental ideas, coupled with a very beautiful artistic style and spectacular soundtrack. The plot has its moments, but honestly, I see this collection more as a unique glimpse into the past of Monolith Soft and RPGs from the GameCube era, which in itself may already be worth the price of admission.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ M I S C
◻️ 🌳 Don't forget to visit my Linktree here
◻️ 📝 Click here for the website link published on October 4th, 2023
◻️ 🙋♂️ Also tap here to find more reviews of mine
◻️ 🎮 And touch here to discover more Nintendo Switch video games I've played
◻️ ✍️ in European Portuguese (translated into English with A.I.)
◻️ 📜 Review Number 133
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ F I N
What Works:
✅ Unique RPG Relics: Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean and Baten Kaitos Origins offer a glimpse into the RPG landscape of the early 2000s, showcasing Monolith Soft's creativity and experimentation.
✅ Innovative Mechanics: The incorporation of real-world concepts into gameplay mechanics, such as the player being a guardian spirit and the use of Magnus cards, adds depth and uniqueness to the experience.
✅ Plot Twists: Both titles feature compelling plot twists that captivate players and drive the narrative forward, adding layers of intrigue and engagement.
✅ Artistic Style and Soundtrack: The graphical enhancements and Motoi Sakuraba's exceptional soundtrack elevate the immersive experience, capturing the essence of classic RPGs from the GameCube era.
What Doesn't Work:
❌ Clunky Magnus Concept: The Magnus system, while bold and innovative, can feel cumbersome and antiquated, leading to potential frustrations and inconveniences, particularly with the expiration mechanic.
❌ Complex Combat System: The turn-based combat system, heavily reliant on deckbuilding and timing, may present a steep learning curve and require patience to fully grasp and master.
❌ Performance Issues: Despite enhancements, both titles suffer from occasional frame drops and performance issues, detracting from the overall experience.
🌊 Dive into the RPG Relics: Baten Kaitos Collection
I've always been curious about Monolith Soft, a Nintendo first party studio and creator of franchises like Xenosaga or Namco x Capcom, and given that Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean (2003) and Baten Kaitos Origins (2006; prequel) have always been under the GameCube umbrella, with a third title for the Nintendo DS canceled, I approached this collection with a hungry desire to travel through one of the most peculiar RPG relics of the early 2000s.
🎮 Monolith Soft: A Legacy Defined
Before kicking off the analysis, I think it's crucial to contextualize Monolith Soft. If you're a fan of the genre and have survived in the dark for the past twenty years, this company's image is closely tied to the excellent world of Xenoblade Chronicles. However, lately, besides what was mentioned earlier in the previous paragraph, the company has been hard at work helping to build the best titles for the Nintendo Switch.
Do you know Breath of the Wild? Animal Crossing: New Horizons? Splatoon 3? Tears of the Kingdom? All titles that Monolith Soft helped bring out, and in between, they even have the audacity to pour out on their fans a pseudo-remake remaster, two new titles, and all the DLC associated with the Xenoblade Chronicles franchise on the Nintendo Switch. It's a team with incredible productivity and consistent high-quality levels.
For that same reason, the Baten Kaitos franchise, now available to all RPG fans with a Switch, has always piqued my curiosity as a window into the past of a studio like this. After spending a few hours with this collection, I notice several similarities to Xenoblade Chronicles, and perhaps one of the most meta and peculiar video games in recent memory.
🛡️ Interactive Real-World Concepts
I mention this because one of the aspects that stood out and impressed me during my adventure were the responses to real-world concepts that Baten Kaitos produces, rooted in various mechanics. For example, in Baten Kaitos, you (player) are a guardian spirit for the main character, with several characters interacting with you and depending on your decisions and advice, akin to the moral compass of more recent video games, receiving certain advantages in battle. Here, you realize that you, as a player, are actively recognized within that world, not as the agent who controls the main character (embodying it to some extent) but as a distinct character, and this gives a new meaning to all your actions.
📜 Plot Twists and Japanese Clichés
As for the plot, apart from other peculiarities, it doesn't surprise much until a certain point and is full of Japanese clichés perpetuated over the years: Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean details the vengeful journey of a teenager named Kalas. He wakes up in a village and circumstance after circumstance finds himself on a quest to save the world. Little or no novelty for you, almost certainly, at least until a certain plot twist halfway through that hits like a truck and subsequently captivates you until the end of the narrative.
Baten Kaitos Origins follows more or less the same path and twenty years before its successor. The plot follows Sagi, a black ops member of an empire where an ultra-secret mission went wrong, putting him on a path of political conspiracy and other clichés. All run-of-the-mill stuff until, of course, just like in the first game, a spectacular twist grabs your attention and holds it until the end of the story.
However, there is a differentiating element in the world of Baten Kaitos that governs not only turn-based combat but also stands out as another peculiarity (guardian spirits style). Magnus is its name, cards that absorb the magna essence of almost everything in the real world (except living beings). Considering the extraordinary intricacies of a typical RPG, carrying cards is a great justification for protagonists with Doraemon-like bags.
🃏 Magnus: A Unique Mechanic
But these magnus have much more to them. The mechanic serves mostly for battles but sees more use in the plot and in solving puzzles within Baten Kaitos. It's a brilliant idea but goes further with an annoying expiration date. Let me explain. At one point, in the first title, I collected two Pow Milk. Over time, they turned into Pow Milk Yogurt and later into Pow Milk Cheese. When I realized it, I no longer had what I needed to complete one of the quests. This is just one of the many antiquated aspects of game design in this genre, artificially creating extra hours of gameplay for rewards that amount to nothing.
I admit that on paper, it's a bold, different, and even cool idea, but I always felt it as a clunky mechanic. It may seem like an exaggeration, but this also affects the cards used for combat, with an example being Bamboo Shoots, healing magnus transforming into Young Bamboo, attack magnus. Apply this logic to any other magnus, and you'll realize that there's another element to consider during your everyday adventure, unpredictable and unsettling.
⚔️ Friction in Combat
That said, it was in combat that I faced more friction, spending long hours without really understanding how everything worked (despite there being tutorials). The thing is, turn-based combat relies heavily on deckbuilding, and every action taken in battle requires a corresponding card, whether it's for healing, attacking, or defending, and both attacks and defenses depend on your comfort with multitasking, reflexes, and attention. Again, let me explain.
Imagine this: You're in a cave and encounter a fire enemy. Combat starts, and your deck is composed of almost random cards. Following logic, it's almost guaranteed that everything from the enemy will be of the fire element, so without water, the opposite element, for both attack and defense, you're likely to have a tough time. So far, the logic seems easy: switch to water element cards, but here's the catch, while attacking or defending, you have a timing to play the cards you want.
Moreover, much of your success in battle will depend on a poker-like system, with attack combinations being stronger if you execute straights or pairs, where each magnus has a number, and if you match them or place them in succession, your combo will be much stronger. However, it's a bit annoying that each card has a certain ATK or DEF, weighing heavily on deckbuilding. So, as time goes on and difficulty increases, you progressively feel the need to tighten the noose with frequent changes to the deck to match the environment you're in. It's worth noting, however, that Origins, the prequel, simplified the formula a bit.
For those who love this vein of more experimental RPGs, embrace this dynamic and have good doses of patience, Baten Kaitos will have fun gameplay, but my experience, without taking away merit from the execution, as I recognize that it's more my ineptitude and itchiness, was more irksome than I'd like to admit. The two titles included in this collection are classics, of that you can be sure, but the combat system didn't click, which, on one hand, made me immensely grateful for the new pause menu where you can increase the game's speed, battles, destroy everything in one attack, or prevent any combat from happening.
🔄 Quality of Life Improvements
Not only does Baten Kaitos live by these Quality of Life improvements, but there's also improved graphical work in all aspects. Something to be commended, certainly, as both titles mark the end of an era with a mixture of 3D models and pre-rendered backgrounds, a technique considered innovative in the PlayStation era, now relegated to the nostalgia of every fan. Add to all this a soundtrack composed by Motoi Sakuraba, the genius responsible for Star Ocean, Tales of Arise, or Valkyrie Profile, and you get that classic RPG that simply isn't heard of these days.
I admit, unfortunately, that not all the edges are smoothed out. For a couple of titles touched up on the hardware in question, I expected flawless performance, but the truth is that frame drops exist. However, I also admit that at some point they obstructed my quest too much, albeit being only a point to be noted.
🎵 Classic RPG Experience
Notwithstanding what has already been pointed out as negative, such as antiquated game design in certain aspects, performance that does not do justice to the hardware it's inserted in, and the somewhat clunky magnus concept, both Baten Kaitos titles survive the test of time thanks to a slew of unique and experimental ideas, coupled with a very beautiful artistic style and spectacular soundtrack. The plot has its moments, but honestly, I see this collection more as a unique glimpse into the past of Monolith Soft and RPGs from the GameCube era, which in itself may already be worth the price of admission.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ M I S C
◻️ 🌳 Don't forget to visit my Linktree here
◻️ 📝 Click here for the website link published on October 4th, 2023
◻️ 🙋♂️ Also tap here to find more reviews of mine
◻️ 🎮 And touch here to discover more Nintendo Switch video games I've played
◻️ ✍️ in European Portuguese (translated into English with A.I.)
◻️ 📜 Review Number 133
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ F I N