Guilmon, a powerful red
dragon-like creature, whips its lengthy tail and reveals its long sharp nails as
it readiest itself for a fight. Its opponent, you would think, is an equally
menacing creature but, lo and behold, it’s a short rabbit-like creature with
stubby little legs and hands that couldn’t even harm a fly. Their battle,
though, will be nothing short of spectacular. Is this fight taking place on a
television screen? The answer is no. Digimon fans can rejoice now that their
favorite characters have finally found themselves in a true battle royal on
their Game Boy Advance systems. Welcome to Digimon Battle Spirit, a fighting
game featuring the characters from the popular Digimon cartoons.
Battle Spirit is a
fighting game that pits you against different Digimon characters (seven in
total) against an environment like any other fighting game. There’s a story to
this game, although you won’t encounter in throughout the course of the game.
According to the instruction manual, it seems that in the far dark corners of
the Digital World, an unknown Digimon is born out of evil. It grows to become a
powerful and destructive force that threatens both the Digital World as well as
the Real World (a variation of our world). The Digimon and their tamers from
both worlds join together to challenge this threat and put an end to it before
it destroys their worlds.
The game begins with you
choosing from the seven available Digimon characters, each with their own powers
and abilities. You can choose from Guilmon; Terriermon (the rabbit-like
creature), Renamon, Veemon, Wormmon, Agumon or Sukamon but gamers can later
unlock other Digimon by defeating them. Some Digimon are more powerful than
others are and the game does a good job of keeping in the spirit of the
cartoons. For example, Terriermon can expand its ears and float . . . making it
a hard target to hit. Meanwhile Sukamon is a mischief-maker that might seem
weak at first until it transforms into a powerful being that even Terriermon’s
floating abilities won’t save it from Sukamon’s attack.
The game‘s controls are
pretty basic and those gamers familiar with fighting games will easily get into
the game’s action. The level battle begins by pitting you against a Digimon in
an environment that range from a desert to a volcanic island. There are several
platforms you can jump up on as you battle your opponent using normal attacks
(slaps, punches, etc.) or power items you get from destroying an enemy Digimon
(that constantly drop down and occasionally get in your way). Your Digimon can
also Digivolve, transforming you into a powerful being that can give you the
advantage for a limited time.
The game’s basic rules are
simple: beat on an opponent and steal the D-Spirit Balls (which are usually
either blue or orange) that come out of their bodies after each successful
blow. This also works the other way around so your enemy can steal you D-Spirit
Balls from you. You can, though, race to get your spirits balls back after an
opponent knocked them off you. The Digimon with the most spirit balls after the
timer runs out wins the match, thus moving a player into the next fight. This
might seem fun at first, but really that’s all there is to this game. Still
there are some extras to be found here like unlocking hidden Digimon or finding
the hidden base.
Graphics-wise, Battle
Spirit possesses some sharp looking backgrounds that really do look great. The
backgrounds are made up of colorful arenas like desert landscapes filled with
giant cactus plants and an ancient shrine. The characters themselves aren’t bad
either and fans can easily recognize their favorites while they battle it out.
There are some interesting special effects of Digimon transforming or using
power items such as lightning.
The game’s soundtrack is
disappointing and can get a bit irritating after awhile of playing the game. It
seldom changes tune throughout the game but the youngest gamers really wouldn’t
mind this at all. The sound effects also follow the soundtrack in its loud and
repetitive popping and crash sounds. This is the kind of game that will make
parents grateful that there’s a volume control and a port for a good pair of
earphones.
If you’re a fan of Digimon
and love a good fighting game, you can’t go wrong with Battle Spirit–although
the battles could get pretty dull after awhile. Still, this is the perfect way
to introduce fighting games to young gamers. Also the game offers a multiplayer
mode so they can battle against a friend in a friendly match. Granted, this
game could have been much better but what’s here is not at all that bad.
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#Reviewer’s |
Gameplay: 7.6
Control-wise, the game keeps things
basic. Your Digimon possesses unique powers that can be used during the battle,
but pretty much the fights are really slap-fests with some power items thrown in
as well as the transformations. Grab a lighting power item and sent a volt of
lightning at your opponent. Digivolve into a powerful being and you’ll be
temporarily faster and stronger. You can dodge your enemy’s attacks by jumping
off the platforms and jumping away from power attacks.
Your environment also
plays a hand in helping you or hindering you. For example, fireballs come
showering down in the volcanic island area and could harm you. In the Origin
Town area, there’s a block that can help you jump higher away from your
opponent.
Graphics: 8.0
The visuals really stand out in
Battle Spirit with its wonderful backgrounds filled with vivid colors and sharp
looking characters that can be easily identified. The special effects look
especially good when each Digimon character happens to unleash their own attack
power or when they use items containing specific damage powers. Characters also
transform (or Digivolve) into powerful beings for a few seconds–the effect is
pretty neat to watch.
Sound: 6.0
The tinny tunes featured in this
game will bring the old Commodore 64 games to mind and kids will definitely not
mind it at all–but for anyone over twenty, however, be prepared to be
completely annoyed. Aside from the grating music, the sound effects don’t make
much of an impression either.
Difficulty: Medium
The single player mode really
challenges gamers, although there‘s nothing here that‘s frustrating enough that
the younger gamers will just give up playing. The difficulty setting can be
changed, however, for those gamers that want harder levels or easier ones
depending on their comfort. You can also adjust the timer’s timeframe.
Concept: 7.0
Super Smash Brothers will come to
mind when playing Battle Spirit and in a way the game does borrow
elements from that popular Super Mario game. Still, there’s not much to this
game and that is the game’s ultimate weakness. If anything they could have
added cut scenes that advance the story.
Multiplayer: 7.5
Two players can take on each another
in true Digimon battle fashion by hooking up too GBA systems and linking it with
the GBA Link Cable. Like any fighting game, this one is more fun playing
against a friend using their favorite Digimon characters. The surprise here is
that your opponent won’t know what Digimon you chose until the fight actually
begins.
Overall: 7.0
Digimon Battle Spirit has most of
the characters young fans of the series will simply adore, but the battles don’t
have enough oomph or variety to keep gamers interested for very long. There are
some neat visuals here and fans will certainly love choosing their favorite
Digimon and battling against a friend in multiplayer mode, but this is a game
that loses its appeal pretty quickly even for die hard fans.
