This is probably going to be your last good Gamecube game purchase unless you haven't bought the Wii and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which I must suggest everyone must buy!,and are waiting for that to come out on GC. Storyline: 5 - Great stand alone game even if you haven't played Baten Kaitos Eternal Wings and The Lost Ocean. Forget Kalas, you are Sagi (pronounce soggy)with his companion Guillo (a para-machina/old robot) who have joined the Dark Service and his first mission is to assassinate the emperor. When he enters the emperor's room, he mets a person named Shanath who has already killed him. Shanath manages to get away with Sagi and Guillo caught and framed with the emperor dead. Sagi and Guillo must find out who framed them and the bigger conspiracy for the assassination of the emperor. Gameplay: 4 - Yes, the game play is repetitive but why such a high score. If you played Eternal Wings and The Lost Ocean, you will be familar with the gameplay but if not, it's a card based battling system. You are constantly getting new cards, like basic attacks, specials attacks, armor, health cards, that you are changing your deck for every boss and harder enemies. You aren't figthing with same deck throughout the game. Grahpics 4.5 - Very nice graphical game. Not to complex and not to simple. I don't know if thats a bad thing but it works will. Sound: 4 - A lot of voice work and great music during the game. Overall: 4.5 - If you want to know more within the BK universe, this game is must have, it last well over 50+ hours gameplay and even a lot more doing the sidequest. If there's one things about this game that is bad, it's aggravating with some bosses. Otherwise a great game to finish off your Gamecube collection.

It's rare that a RPG defy and surpass it's superior to the utmost degree. Well folks we have a winner. Baten Kaitos Origins is far better the the 1st game in many ways. 1. The graphics are much cleaner and more crisp looking then the previous. 2. The voice acting seems more realistic then before. and the third major reason is the battle system, it is so well-done and more easy to control that your not losing your head over what to do next. So, I ask you fellow GMR's if you don't have this masterpiece, then I suggest you get off the couch and go to your local gamestore and demand this game!!