Evolution: Eternal Dungeons

Evolution: Eternal Dungeons is role-playing game that plays in the old fashioned way. Much like its Dreamcast counterpart, you play as Mag Launcher, a hero strapped with an ancient device on his back known as a Cyframe. He is an adventurer by his own right and must take random jobs to pay off his debt. But unlike the Dreamcast games, this one is a lot more fun.

As I mentioned above, Evolution is a traditional role-playing game, so game play basically consists of getting work and journeying into dungeons in order to find the items you're looking for. Battles are neither frequent nor scarce; and best of all they bring a certain level of challenge to the game. Battles can also be avoided if you are low on health, which makes the game move quite smoothly. Picking your team is limited at the start, but is essential to finishing the game later on. Finding the right team is harder than you might think because the list of attacks/defenses/spells is rather long for each character.

When it comes to the visuals, Evolution provides some of the best graphics you'll see on the Neo Geo Pocket Color. Animations are smooth during battle with nice effects for the varied attacks and spells.

The music is repetitive, but you'll learn to get used to it (or you can turn the volume down). Everything is done with text boxes, so there is no voice acting. Effects of spells and attacks are done quite well and fit with the end result.

The game controls are simple, moving the character is easy with the joystick and the option to avoid enemies, once you learn the routine, is a nice touch. Otherwise, navigating the menus is a breeze with the joystick as well.

Overall the game is very entertaining and challenging, and should be amusing for any fans of role-playing games and Neo Geo Pocket Color owners. The only issue I have with the game would have to be the replay value. There isn't any replay value unless you want to run around leveling up some more. If you can afford the hefty price tag (about $150), and can find it, this is definitely one game you should pick it up. Evolution: Eternal Dungeons is an essential for any Neo Geo Pocket Color owner.