Children of Mana

If you've played any mana game, you can expect similar content in this game. However, where this game truly shines is in it's multiplayer. But, let's start with how the game plays. It's for the most part a dungeon crawler. In each dungeon, you make your way through various floors. On each floor, there is a gleamdrop, and a gleamwell. You must find the gleamdrop on each floor, pick it up, bring it to the gleamwell, and voila! You're on the next floor. And don't worry, finding the gleamdrop isn't too hard, just play and usually you'll find it. If you can't find it, refer to the bottom screen of your DS, and it will tell you what the gleamdrop is hidden by, and sometimes even the gleamwell will be hidden too. As you progress through the game, you'll obtain altogether, four types of weapons. A sword, a flail, a bow, and hammer. To make your way through many of the dungeons, you may have to use your weapons. For example, a flail can hookshot to objects. So it may be necessary to hookshot your way across spikes. Not only do you need them to make your way through the dungeon, but it may proove helpful to use a specific type of weapon on a certain enemy. For example, shooting bats with your bow. The reason this game isn't "great" is because if you're playing by yourself, it could get extremely boring, and difficult. Between each dungeon you'll most likely have to level up ten or so levels before progressing. Also, this game is extremely short. It's easy to beat it within 15 hours. However, as I said earlier, where this game shines is in its multiplayer. Having a friend is great. Planning out routes in each dungeon can be fun, and if you're not up for helping each other out, you could always compete with each other. For instance, you could try to race each other to see who finds the gleamdrop and bring it to the gleamwell first. There's nothing better than picking up the gleamdrop, all excited, and making your way to the gleamwell, when all of a sudden, your friend hookshots you, takes the gleamdrop, then you shoot him with your bow, and win. If your a fan of the Mana series, you should buy this game, if you haven't played any, and don't have a friend to play it through with, it's probably not worth the money.