Ok. I found out about this recently (why recently? I'm not sure), but there is indeed a new Golden Sun game coming out for the DS. When? I don't know. That information may have been released since I figured out about the game, but I sincerely doubt it.

Anyway. I'm a great fan of the Golden Sun series, and can't wait for the new release. I also wanted to gather thoughts from you people about what it might be about, and if you think it'll be any good. But before that, just in case you’ve never played it (I wouldn’t doubt it), I’ll give a not-so-brief description of the games.

To begin. Golden Sun takes place in a world called Weyard, on the continent of Angara, where it begins in a tiny town called Vale built on a dormant volcano named 'Mt. Aleph'. This world is controlled by the classical elements, being Earth (represented by Venus), Fire (represented by Mars), Air (represented by Jupiter), and Water (represented by Mercury). These elements are key components of Alchemy, which is the dominating force of Weyard. The focal points of these elements are four beacons built into different lighthouses, each dedicated to a different element. However, Alchemy was sealed by removing the 'Elemental Stars' from each lighthouse, as its power was being used for evil. These stars were hidden in Mt. Aleph, and the village of Vale was established as one of the last refuges for Adepts (users of Alchemy in the form of 'Psynergy', which could be considered elemental chi energy) and as defenders of the stars, if the need arised.

To start the actual game, you play a young man named Isaac, who is a Venus Adept (in other words, he can control the Earth element and use Earth Psynergy). In the prologue of the game, you are 14 years old and in the midst of a calamity in which a monstrous boulder is rolling down Mt. Aleph and has the potential to kill several villagers (which, I might add, are doing next to zilch to move out of the way of the boulder). Your father and other villagers (all skilled Venus Adepts) have gone to stop this boulder, and your mother tries to send you to the main part of the village. However, the main way is blocked, so you, along with your Mars Adept friend Garet (Fire user. See where I'm going with the whole Adept scheme?) find an alternate route. You also run across Jenna (Mars Adept), who's brother Felix (Venus Adept) is close to drowning in the mountain river that runs through the village. Isaac, Garet, and Jenna are all sent to town to find a skilled Adept in town to help Felix. You find someone, but right as you get back, the boulder crashes through the village, supposedly killing your father, Felix, and Jenna's parents. You go back to town, but come across two strangers who knock you out.

Three years later, Isaac and mother have almost completely gotten over the accident, and Isaac and Garet are studying Alchemy under the friendly neighborhood scholar Kraden. Isaac and Garet are also training their Psynergy. But this particular day, Isaac, Garet, and Jenna are going with Kraden into Sol Sanctum, a guarded secret place near the summit of Mt. Aleph. On the way to Kraden's, the three discover the same two strangers (named Saturos and Menardi) coming back from the aforementioned Kraden's house.

FAST FORWARD

Isaac, Garet, Jenna, and Kraden are in the depths of Sol Sanctum, close to solving the ancient puzzle that will lead them to place where the Elemental Stars are held (at this point in time, the Stars are all but forgotten. Kraden is one of the few who still know about them. Once in the chamber with the stars (which is actually the mouth of the dormant volcano), Kraden and Jenna persuade Isaac and Garet to gather the four elemental stars. After collecting the Venus star, however, Saturos and Mendardi (who are revealed to be master Mars Adepts) appear and hold Jenna and Kraden hostage. They want the Elemental Stars so they can relight the lighthouses and restore Alchemy to Weyard. They promise Kraden and Jenna will be returned in exchange for the stars. So, Isaac and Garet continue collecting the stars with the plan of grabbing the hostages and running, but a third member Saturos and Menardi's party named Alex (Mercury Adept) with the ability to teleport appears and takes the stars they've gathered so far. Jenna's brother Felix is also with them, as they helped him survive the accident when he washed up on shore downriver. After collecting the last star (Mars), the volcano becomes active again, and Saturos and co. are forced to leave. With the hostages, without the final star. As the volcano begins to erupt, however, a floating rock with an eye called 'The Wise One' appears and begins to stop it. However, he helps Isaac and Garet escape, which makes the volcano erupt without his attention. To compensate, he diverts the lava flow away from Vale as Isaac and Garet set out to recover the stars, Jenna, and Kraden.

Directly outside of town, they encounter the first of many Djinn, which are useful little buggers. Each one has a specific effect which can harm enemies or benefit the player. Each element has 18 djinn, bringing the total to a whopping 72 djinn. This is a Venus Djinni called Flint, which delivers a strong blow to an enemy. After a Djinni's effect is used, it is put on 'Standby'. This allows the Djinni to release a summon, which deals massive damage to all enemies. The more Djinn of a specific element are on standby at one time, the more powerful the summon is. I should find a video so you guys will understand.

FAST FORWARD

In the town of Vault, somewhat south of Vale, the eruption gave some looters time to steal the Shaman Rod from Hammet, a rich and powerful merchant, who is ruler of Kalay (south of Vault). The theft angers Hammet, and he leaves his assistant Ivan behind as he and his caravan return to Kalay. The looters also stole several other important items during the eruption (which, incidentally, also spewed several Psynergy crystals around Weyard, which is giving various creatures powers and making them evil). It is revealed that Ivan is a Jupiter Adept with the ability to read minds. They use this power to find the looters and all of the stolen items. Ivan joins the party.

FAST FORWARD

In the town of Imil far northwest of Vale and in part of the frozen wastelands of the north, Mia is one of the last of a long bloodline of Mercury Adepts in her town, which guards the Mercury Lighthouse slightly east of them. Isaac and co. pursue Saturos and co. to the lighthouse, and with aid from Mia reach the top to find that the beacon has been lit. At the top, it is revealed that Mia and Alex are siblings, and that by helping Saturos and Menardi, Alex has betrayed the town of Imil. Mia joins Isaac and co., and helps them fight Saturos in a one on four battle on top of the lighthouse. They barely beat him, but only because the light of Mercury's beacon weakens him (the idea of clashing elements is used in this game, and because Mercury and Mars are opposing elements, Saturos loses some of his power). After this, Alex appears and helps the close-to-death Saturos away, while Isaac and co. resume following.

FAST FORWARD

In the town of Tolbi, it is time for the annual Colloso festival, where top warriors around the world gather and show off both their fighting skills and their problem solving skills (in the form of an obstacle course and a duel). However, the festival is delayed because the ruler of Tolbi (Babi) has gone missing. Isaac and co. find him and bring him back, but are left with many questions until after Colloso. Isaac enters and wins with the help of Psynergy (in Vale, it was expressely forbidden to use Psynergy in front of a non-Adept). Babi then tells them that he is 150 years old, but only because of a mystical draught from a land called Lemuria. And the draught is running out. Isaac's entering of Colloso was a test to see if he was an Adept, because the only way to find Lemuria is to sail in a ship that can only be driven by Adepts. Babi wants Isaac and co. to find Lemuria and possibly bring back more draught, but only after they've completed their first mission, which is to stop Saturos and Menardi.

FAST FORWARD

Isaac and co. are accompanied by Babi's assistant to the Venus lighthouse, near which Babi Lighthouse is being built for the express purpose of locating Lemuria (Lemuria is wrapped in a perpetual fog, and it's impossible to navigate the waters surrounding it without the Adept Ship, and even then it's difficult). At the top of Venus Lighthouse, Isaac and co. fight Saturos and Menardi (Alex, and Felix are tasked with getting away with the hostages--which includes a new Jupiter Adept from the nearby town of Lalivero called Sheba, the two remaining stars, and the Shaman Rod, which is needed to enter the Jupiter Lighthouse), and defeat them. However, as they turn to rescue Sheba, an earthquake splits the lighthouse into quarters, causing Sheba to fall (Felix dives after her). The lighthouse then fixes itself.

FAST FORWARD (in the game, too)

Isaac and co. go back to Lalivero and talk to Sheba’s caretaker. The caretaker says to find and return Sheba as soon as possible, but Garet reminds Isaac that they have Babi’s promise to fulfill. Babi’s assistant then leads Isaac’s party to the Adept ship and gives them a Black Jewel needed to start the ship. The ship takes off, roll credits, throw confetti, blow your party favors, or whatever the hell they are. BUT! There’s more (yeah, yeah, I know you’re eager for it to end, but it’s a long game. I’m sorry).

FAST FORWARD

Epilogue/ Prologue: Jenna and Kraden are ushered by Alex down the stairs of Venus lighthouse shortly before the earthquake that splits the lighthouse. Outside, she fights her way through soldiers of Lalivero (searching for Sheba) so she can get to a small peninsula by the lighthouse that hides the Adept ship Saturos and Menardi were going to use to travel to the other lighthouses. Alex remains behind to hold off the soldiers. However, when she gets on the peninsula with Kraden, the earthquake hits, and the peninsula is shaken off of the island. Jenna and Kraden pass out (heaven knows how, there wasn’t anything to get knocked out on).

Hours later, Alex wakes them up(remember his ability to teleport?) so he can show them something. –dramatic gasp- Felix and Sheba washed up on the beach. AND they’re alive. Thanks, Nintendo, for conveniently saving two people from a certain death, which surely would have killed anyone less important to the story. Anyway.

A giant wave appears after lots of words appear on the screen, which washes them into a continent that none of them has ever heard of. Alex teleports away to find a new boat (the Adept ship was lost, somehow), so Felix, Jenna, Sheba and Kraden all go on their own journey to find a ship.

FAST FORWARD

In a town called Madra, a not-so nearby tribe called the Kibombo recently looted the town, taking only a Black Jewel (I’m sure you know what it’s for at this point). A man named Piers was framed and taken prisoner. Felix and co. visit Piers in his prison cell, who is being harassed by a lover of a woman who was injured by the Kibombo. During this exchange, Piers reveals he’s a Mercury Adept by using Psynergy to cause a puddle of water under the man to freeze into a column and make him fall. The man runs away from the prison, letting Sheba (since she is a Jupiter Adept) read Piers’s mind. He senses this, since he’s an Adept, but can’t believe it. While reading his mind, Sheba learns Piers is from Lemuria, which explains why he can’t believe that Adepts are in the prison (Lemurians are under the impression that Adepts only exist on their island). Seeking to prove Pier’s innocence (and in doing so hoping to gain information on how to get to Lemuria), they travel to Alhafra, where a pirate named Briggs (who was ALSO suspected of looting Madra) is attempting to buy a ship. They go there to find that the only ship (which Briggs has bought with stolen gold) has it’s mast broken, among other things. Felix and co. find Briggs and his crew plotting below deck. They fight and win, the Mayor of Alhafra walks below deck and is told everything, so he sends a messenger to Madra saying that Piers is innocent. On the way back to Madra, though, Felix and co. take a detour, where they find a large mountain called ‘Air’s Rock’. Traveling up it, they find out it is really a hollow mountain charged with Jupiter Psynergy. Deep inside, Sheba finds, a Psynergy called Reveal (Ivan has this Psynergy as well). They head south from Air’s Rock, finding a village of lycanthropes who change into wolves (yes, lycanthrope is a fancy term for shape-shifter. Why I don’t I just say they’re werewolves? It’s how they explain it in the game. –shrugs-). Using Reveal, they find the leader, who explains that they have changed into wolves for generations. Through a conversation I can’t remember, it is decided that the power given off of Air’s Rock makes them change (they also have small Psynergetic abilities). The leader was permanently changed into a werewolf when he managed to find Reveal in the Rock as well. Anyway, the leader gives them a Djinni (had to remind you of them for a special reason. It’s revealed later).

FAST FORWARD

Returning to Madra, Felix and co. discover Piers has traveled to the Kibombo village so he can retrieve the Black Jewel (letting Felix deduce that he needs it because he still has an Adept ship). They follow him, and after catching up to him, help him recover the Jewel (Congratulations! Piers has joined your party!).

FAST FORWARD

They’ve recovered the jewel. Yay. Now they travel the sea, looking for Psynergies that will help them. To shorten this already lengthy review, I’ll quickly describe the Psynergies they find and where they find them.

‘Parch’. Found in Aqua Rock (‘there are more Rocks?’ Yes. Shut up). This Psynergy can dry up a small pool, which allows you to obtain the Burst Brooch in Tundaria Tower (near the South Pole, or whatever they call it in their flat world). The Brooch bestows ‘Burst’. Next, ‘Sand’, which is found at Gaia Rock (the Earth rock). It allows you to enter the Ankhol Ruins. After getting these, you can finally go to Lemuria.

FAST FORWARD

In Lemuria, the King tells you that ever since Alchemy was sealed, the world has been steadily shrinking. This has endangered the town of Mars Adepts (Prox) that is in the North—and the Mars Lighthouse is on the brink of falling into Gaia Falls (the end of the world) as the land slowly crumbles away. The King tasks you with relighting the remaining beacons and gives you a Psynergy (Grind) that will let you destroy reefs that were raised during the earthquake after Venus Lighthouse was lit, which blocked your way to the ocean on the other half of the world.

FAST FORWARD

Felix and co. travel to a town called Shaman Village (wait… doesn’t that mean it’s a village, not a town? Oh well). There, Moapa (the Chief) is the latest in a long line of people that hid the ‘Hover Jade’, waiting for the rightful owner to come. It was rumored that the owner would come from Contigo, holding the Shaman Rod (so THAT’S what it’s for). However, none of Felix’s party member are Contiginian. That is, except for Sheba. -GASP- However, since Sheba is female, and the rightful owner would be male, Moapa refuses to give the Hover Jade to them. So, a test is held (two, actually), which Felix and co. succeed in, blah blah blah, Hover Jade is theirs. So they head to the Lighthouse.

FAST FORWARD

Traveling through Contigo, the party makes it to Jupiter Lighthouse (finally). As they near the top, they find Isaac and co. fighting two Master Mars Adepts named Agatio and Karst (relatives of Saturos and Menardi, sent to avenge their death and complete their mission. They were actually introduced earlier in the game, but I forgot until now). Garet and Mia were caught by a trap so that Ivan and Isaac are stuck fighting Agatio and Karst. Felix and co. hurry as fast as they can and prevent Agatio and Karst from killing off Isaac and Ivan. The former two want to kill Felix and co., but are sapped of their strength and realize they stand no chance of winning. So they settle instead for making Felix carry out his promise to light the beacon. Felix and Piers carry out random odds and ends to reach the Lighthouse Arie while Jenna and Sheba remain behind to tend to Isaac (who gave the Mars star to Felix as a sign of trust) and Ivan. Felix and Piers get to the top, throw the star in, but Agatio and Karst begin to fight you. You can either win or lose, but I always won, so I’ll just say they won. Yaaaay.

Anyway, after the battle, Alex appears and heals Agatio and Karst (Alex being a Mercury Adept, he has healing abilities), but only enough so that they can get up and walk away. But before they do, Karst steals the Mars star from Felix so she and Agatio can light the Mars lighthouse themselves.

FAST FORWARD

Felix, Isaac and cos. explain to each other and join up in Contigo. They decide to visit Prox where Isaac’s father and Jenna and Felix’s parents have been held in order to ransom Felix into helping light the Beacons. In order to get to Prox (and from there the Lighthouse), the party travels to Magma Rock, where Jenna learns the Psynergy Flame. This allows them to get rid of an iceberg that froze over the river leading to Prox. They move forward, but in Prox, they all learn that Felix’s parents and Isaac’s father have mysteriously disappeared. They continue to the Lighthouse, where they find the Teleport Lapis (allowing them to teleport anywhere they have previously been, and use strange circles that teleport them to a certain place).

Once you gain the Teleport Lapis, you can go around Weyard fighting the various Super Bosses. Defeating these bosses give you very special summons. I’ll provide links for the battles and summon sequences. But I want to describe one Super Boss in particular. He’s called Dullahan. The only way you can reach him is to gain all 72 Djinn (ha. Told they were important). This almighty son of a bitch kicks my ass. Even when I’m cheating. He’s that hard, folks.

Screw describing, it’s not possible. I’ll just give you the damn links (they’re at the end of the page).


Anyway. Moving on.
The lighthouse is completely frozen on the inside, and the party must find its way to the center of the lighthouse, where the way to the top can be found. Reaching the center, however, they find two dragons (which they defeat). As it turns out, the two dragons were really Agatio and Karst, transformed by the Mars Star after being deemed unworthy to travel to the top. How were they deemed unworthy? A large dragon head just behind them said they lacked the will to continue. Putting the Mars Star in the head makes the lighthouse warm up and opens up the rest of the lighthouse.

FAST FORWARD

At the top, Felix goes to throw the star in, but he is blocked by something. Searching through the blizzard that surrounds them, they find The Wise One using Psynergy to prevent Felix from moving towards the hole in the Lighthouse Arie. The Wise One expresses that he is disappointed in Isaac for not keeping his promise to return the stars. He also reveals that Alex has been climbing Mt. Aleph, so that when the Golden Sun (the form Alchemy takes at the moment the beacons are all lit) forms over the mountain, he will be showered in its light and be given powers beyond their belief. To prevent Felix and co. from throwing the star in, he summons a three headed dragon (Doom Dragon). They fight (using some awesome moves, if I do say so myself), and invariably, Felix and co. wins. However, when the fight is over, the dragon disappears, but the three heads change into Isaac’s father and Jenna and Felix’s parents. After much woe, it is guessed that The Wise One pulled a last trick in order to see if the party would sacrifice anything in order to light the beacon, because he didn’t want anyone who would abuse the power to restore Alchemy to Weyard. After this schpeal, they light the beacon, and as the lighthouse shakes, the scene fades out.

Next, it shows Isaac, Felix, and Kraden in the Mayor’s house in Prox. Isaac’s father and Jenna and Felix’s parents were saved by the lighting of the beacon (much like Saturos and Menardi’s burst of energy when Venus Lighthouse was lit). Much thanks are given, blah-dee blah-dee dah, they go home. However, they find that Mt. Aleph has sunk into the ground. Fearing for their families, Isaac, and Garet fall into mourning, only to be surprised by the families in question. And everyone else from Vale. Much happy reuniting, faces seeing each other, woohoo. End game, roll credits. However. During the credits, it shows snippets of Alex climbing Mt. Aleph. At the end, he’s at the top when the Golden Sun forms and showers him with light. He attempts to display his powers by creating a storm, but nothing happens. Then The Wise One appears, and explains that instead of gaining eternal life and limitless power, a small portion of the power that was in the Golden Sun was stored in Isaac. At that moment, however, Mt. Aleph begins to sink into the ground. The Wise One warns Alex to flee or be swallowed into the earth (however, Alex cannot move for some reason). It is then hinted that they may meet again in the future. End game (fer shizzles, folks).

And there ends this lengthy review. Finally.

Anyway, what do you guys think the new one will be like?

Super Bosses and Summon Sequence videos

Super Bosses: Summon:
Sentinel Catastrophe
Valukar Daedalus
Star Magician Azul
Dullahan Iris/Charon (don’t have to fight for Charon)

Note: The boss battles are all in one video (except for Dullahan), which is here. Most of the summon sequences are used in the Dullahan video, didn't watch it fully to see exactly which weren't (excluding Iris, obviously). I trust you'll search for the ones you don't see, if any. Also, sorry for the low quality, I'm too lazy to make my own (and don't have the means to anyway). Watch out for ear rape, and enjoy.

Oh, just for shits and giggles, here's the Doom Dragon fight.