Greetings, and welcome to my next playthrough! This time we will be tackling the JRPG Golden Sun, an oldie but goodie from the GBA era. I've played this game (and it's sequel) a number of times, though it's been a while so I'm looking forward to playing it again.
As usual for my playthroughs, you need no knowledge of the game or its series in order to read and understand the playthrough. Mechanical basics will be explained below for those who wish to take part in choices and nominations, otherwise sick back, read along, and enjoy my interpretation of one of my favourite JRPGs.
Sooo.... what's a Golden Sun?
It seems that not a lot of people here are familiar with this game! I find this kind of shocking since it's pretty popular in a lot of video game circles that I've been a part of, and even people who haven't played it are at least familiar with it. So, here's a bit of a summary on the basics of this game and what makes it unique. Spoiler tag'd so that the OP doesn't get super long.
Golden Sun is the first game of the Golden Sun series. The first 2 games were released on the GBA in 2001-2003, with a 3rd game released for the DS in 2010 after a long wait.
The series is, in many ways, typical of the Japanese RPG (JRPG) genre, like other popular games including the Final Fantasy series. You have a team of people you travel around with, and each of them fit into different roles, as fighters, mages, or healers. There are dungeons, there are wandering monsters you fight, there's an overworld, a magic system, bosses with thousands of HP, etc. Chances are, if you've played a JRPG, you kind of know what I'm getting at.
However, there are certainly some unique things that make Golden Sun unique and awesome, and here is a quick glance at some of them:
Psynergy is the main "magic" system of GS, though in the plot it's treated more like psychic abilities than traditional magic. There are 4 main elements: Venus (Earth), Mars (Fire), Jupiter (Wind), and Mercury (Water). A person that has the talent to use Psynergy is called an "(Element) Adept" depending on which element they have a natural talent in. Psynergy is used both in battle to defeat enemies and out of battle to achieve various effects. For example, the ability "Douse" can be used in battle as a low-level Mercury-based attack on multiple enemies, or it can be used in the field to rain over a small area and cause a puddle of water to collect, which is used in some puzzles. Psynergy points (or PP) are a bit more freely given in GS than is typical for most JRPGs; they naturally restore over time and an entire party's PP can be restored with a single Psynergy Stone outside of battle.
The Djinn are another unique mechanic to Golden Sun. Djinn are small creatures (like the ones in the banner at the top) that are each naturally aligned to a certain element. They are assigned to characters in your party and can be used in battle or to raise a character's stats and even change their class. For more information about Djinn relating to class changes, please see the separate section below under the "Interactions" heading.
When a Djinni is "set" to a character, it raises their stats and gives that character the ability to use that particular Djinni in battle. Each Djinni has its own, unique in battle use that is somehow aligned to it's type, so, for example, a Venus Djinni that attacks would attack with Earth magic. Once a Djinni is used in battle, it is no longer "set" and is instead in "standby" mode. The character no longer gets the corresponding stat benefits while Djinn are in "standby", but "standby" Djinn can be summoned, either individually or in groups, to perform powerful attacks called Summons. Once Djinn have been released in a summon, they go into "recovery" mode and then will then automatically re-"set" themselves to their given character. So, Djinn provide an interesting combat strategy in addition to their use for class changing and stat-giving.
The GS games are also rather puzzley compared to a typical JRPG. The game's major and minor dungeons are full of puzzles to complete, and usually those puzzles require the use of Psynergy. It provides a nice element to the game aside from battling and makes each dungeon or other location more interesting and fun to explore.
The last thing I have to touch on is definitely the plot. One of the main reasons I love this game is its story, particularly the second game of the series and how it relates to the first. There is a lot of deep world building and very interesting scenarios that put a unique spin on a plot that may, at first, seem to be almost stereotypical. Of course, this all mostly comes to a head in the second game, but I do plan on continuing on and playing that one, too, so long as you guys are interested in reading it that is. :3
As for what the Golden Sun itself actually is? Well, read along and you'll find out as the game progresses.
The series is, in many ways, typical of the Japanese RPG (JRPG) genre, like other popular games including the Final Fantasy series. You have a team of people you travel around with, and each of them fit into different roles, as fighters, mages, or healers. There are dungeons, there are wandering monsters you fight, there's an overworld, a magic system, bosses with thousands of HP, etc. Chances are, if you've played a JRPG, you kind of know what I'm getting at.
However, there are certainly some unique things that make Golden Sun unique and awesome, and here is a quick glance at some of them:
Psynergy is the main "magic" system of GS, though in the plot it's treated more like psychic abilities than traditional magic. There are 4 main elements: Venus (Earth), Mars (Fire), Jupiter (Wind), and Mercury (Water). A person that has the talent to use Psynergy is called an "(Element) Adept" depending on which element they have a natural talent in. Psynergy is used both in battle to defeat enemies and out of battle to achieve various effects. For example, the ability "Douse" can be used in battle as a low-level Mercury-based attack on multiple enemies, or it can be used in the field to rain over a small area and cause a puddle of water to collect, which is used in some puzzles. Psynergy points (or PP) are a bit more freely given in GS than is typical for most JRPGs; they naturally restore over time and an entire party's PP can be restored with a single Psynergy Stone outside of battle.
The Djinn are another unique mechanic to Golden Sun. Djinn are small creatures (like the ones in the banner at the top) that are each naturally aligned to a certain element. They are assigned to characters in your party and can be used in battle or to raise a character's stats and even change their class. For more information about Djinn relating to class changes, please see the separate section below under the "Interactions" heading.
When a Djinni is "set" to a character, it raises their stats and gives that character the ability to use that particular Djinni in battle. Each Djinni has its own, unique in battle use that is somehow aligned to it's type, so, for example, a Venus Djinni that attacks would attack with Earth magic. Once a Djinni is used in battle, it is no longer "set" and is instead in "standby" mode. The character no longer gets the corresponding stat benefits while Djinn are in "standby", but "standby" Djinn can be summoned, either individually or in groups, to perform powerful attacks called Summons. Once Djinn have been released in a summon, they go into "recovery" mode and then will then automatically re-"set" themselves to their given character. So, Djinn provide an interesting combat strategy in addition to their use for class changing and stat-giving.
The GS games are also rather puzzley compared to a typical JRPG. The game's major and minor dungeons are full of puzzles to complete, and usually those puzzles require the use of Psynergy. It provides a nice element to the game aside from battling and makes each dungeon or other location more interesting and fun to explore.
The last thing I have to touch on is definitely the plot. One of the main reasons I love this game is its story, particularly the second game of the series and how it relates to the first. There is a lot of deep world building and very interesting scenarios that put a unique spin on a plot that may, at first, seem to be almost stereotypical. Of course, this all mostly comes to a head in the second game, but I do plan on continuing on and playing that one, too, so long as you guys are interested in reading it that is. :3
As for what the Golden Sun itself actually is? Well, read along and you'll find out as the game progresses.
Member Nominations for Party Members & NPCs
All roles have now been decided! If you're familiar with the game and have any further suggestions for other characters, feel free to comment.
Isaac: Athena
Garet: Celever
Ivan: Brave Vesperia
Mia: PMJ
Saturos: bbninjas
Menardi: Keeper
Jenna: Palutena
Felix: Jabberwock
Kraden: DNA
Alex: Vom
Garet: Celever
Ivan: Brave Vesperia
Mia: PMJ
Saturos: bbninjas
Menardi: Keeper
Jenna: Palutena
Felix: Jabberwock
Kraden: DNA
Alex: Vom
As typical for my playthroughs, I'd like to offer in-game roles to members. There aren't as many characters this time around, but please nominate members to act as characters that you think would fit them well! As the narrator, I will be taking the role of the lead protagonist Isaac, but all of these other characters are up for grabs:
The Main Party PCs will be the characters that appear in the game most by far. Other characters listed have important places in the plot but will not be appearing as much. Some characters will also appear in the sequel, if I decide to do a playthrough of that one later. :3
To nominate someone, please simply post in this thread with the name of the member you'd like to nominate and which character they should be! Member/Character pairings with the most votes/likes will win. If you are familiar with this game and have another NPC that you would like to nominate someone for, you're welcome to, otherwise all other characters will just have their in-game names.
To nominate someone, please simply post in this thread with the name of the member you'd like to nominate and which character they should be! Member/Character pairings with the most votes/likes will win. If you are familiar with this game and have another NPC that you would like to nominate someone for, you're welcome to, otherwise all other characters will just have their in-game names.
Other Reader Interactions
There's one other specific part of the game that I would like reader input on and that is the assignment of Djinn. Djinn are both creatures in the game and also a game mechanic that influences each PC's class and abilities. If you're not familiar with the Golden Sun series, here's a quick explanation in spoilers:
Djinn are small creatures that live in Weyard, the world of the Golden Sun series. They are basically magical creatures and each one is of a certain element: Venus (Earth), Mars (Fire), Jupiter (Wind), and Mercury (Water). You can see examples of them in the banner on top, in the order of Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and Mercury. As the PCs travel through the lands, they will meet and tame these creatures, and each Djinni is "assigned" to a certain PC, boosting their stats and giving them access to certain powers and classes.
Each of the main PCs also matches with one of these same elements. Isaac is a Venus Adept, Garet is Mars, Ivan is Jupiter, and Mia is Mercury. Assigning the same type of Djinn to the corresponding character is generally considered the default option. It boosts those characters strengths in a way that benefits them the most and gives them access to their most powerful mono-element classes and abilities. However, that is far from the only option. You obtain many Djinn throughout the game and they are very customizable, which opens up the possibility for characters to have dual- or even triple-element classes. Some more information about the available classes, pros and cons, and strategy can be found here.
Aside from simply boosting the stats of PC's, Djinn can also be used in combat or multiple Djinn can be summoned for very powerful attacks. For the reader's purpose, though, this isn't as important as it's more about battle strategy than assigning Djinn to characters. One main thing to keep in mind is that summoning and using Djinn in battle becomes a bit trickier when you're not using mono-element classes since you have to balance things carefully to not accidentally switch yourself to a different, possibly detrimental class when you're in the middle of battle.
If there's anything here that you don't understand, you are welcome to ask!
Each of the main PCs also matches with one of these same elements. Isaac is a Venus Adept, Garet is Mars, Ivan is Jupiter, and Mia is Mercury. Assigning the same type of Djinn to the corresponding character is generally considered the default option. It boosts those characters strengths in a way that benefits them the most and gives them access to their most powerful mono-element classes and abilities. However, that is far from the only option. You obtain many Djinn throughout the game and they are very customizable, which opens up the possibility for characters to have dual- or even triple-element classes. Some more information about the available classes, pros and cons, and strategy can be found here.
Aside from simply boosting the stats of PC's, Djinn can also be used in combat or multiple Djinn can be summoned for very powerful attacks. For the reader's purpose, though, this isn't as important as it's more about battle strategy than assigning Djinn to characters. One main thing to keep in mind is that summoning and using Djinn in battle becomes a bit trickier when you're not using mono-element classes since you have to balance things carefully to not accidentally switch yourself to a different, possibly detrimental class when you're in the middle of battle.
If there's anything here that you don't understand, you are welcome to ask!
I will be gathering all 28 Djinn throughout the course of the playthrough. Within chapters, I will assign Djinn to characters as I feel compliments their current selves best, but at the end of each chapter I will make a list of all new Djinn and open up suggestions to readers of who should get custody of that particular Djinni. Older Djinn can also be swapped around at any point in the game for balance or to make a new class customization.
I wrote up a nice guide to help Golden Sun newcomers explore the Class Tree system! Feel free to check it out in this post and suggest some classes for the playthrough. :3
Anything Else?
Not that I can think of! But feel free to ask if you have any questions, or speak up if you have any suggestions.
Chapters! \o/
Prologue: Ohshi- Falling Rocks
Chapter 1: There's no way this can go wrong!
Chapter 2: Oh, look, more plot, yay!
Chapter 3: BV and the Stolen Rod
Chapter 4: Rich jerk causes an evil tree curse
Chapter 5: Our first full-sized dungeon! \o/
Chapter 6: Mercury Lighthouse
Chpater 7: Derping our way across the continent
Chapter 8: Let's kill the cute water monsters! \o/
Chapter 9: The no good, very bad dessert
Chapter 10: This chapter is fulla sekrits
Chapter 11: Crossbone Isle + Athena manipulates RNs
Chapter 12: Helping invisible mystery dude
Chapter 13: Saving Master Mustache
Chapter 14: Jupiter Lighthouse Pt. 1 & Deadbeard
Chaper 15: Jupiter Lighthouse Pt. 2
Final Chapter: Ohshi- Cliffhanger >_>
Chapter 1: There's no way this can go wrong!
Chapter 2: Oh, look, more plot, yay!
Chapter 3: BV and the Stolen Rod
Chapter 4: Rich jerk causes an evil tree curse
Chapter 5: Our first full-sized dungeon! \o/
Chapter 6: Mercury Lighthouse
Chpater 7: Derping our way across the continent
Chapter 8: Let's kill the cute water monsters! \o/
Chapter 9: The no good, very bad dessert
Chapter 10: This chapter is fulla sekrits
Chapter 11: Crossbone Isle + Athena manipulates RNs
Chapter 12: Helping invisible mystery dude
Chapter 13: Saving Master Mustache
Chapter 14: Jupiter Lighthouse Pt. 1 & Deadbeard
Chaper 15: Jupiter Lighthouse Pt. 2
Final Chapter: Ohshi- Cliffhanger >_>
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