You’ve gotta tread lightly with these old-school RPGs on the NES. People love them. They’re influential as heck. And if you keep an open mind, you can have a decent time.
But there’s no denying that genre of game — perhaps more than any other — can struggle to connect with modern audiences. In many cases, it’s the absence of quality of life improvements from modern titles that stand out. With the action RPG “Crystalis,” the problem is less about aggravating grinding demands or an absence of creature comforts, and more about a baffling level of intentional befuddlement.
You just don’t know where to go. The solution, naturally, is to lean on a guide to help you progress. So much so, it’s virtually impossible to imagine anyone navigating this game without one. Cryptic puzzles, confusing dialogue, hidden items … this is like Zelda on steroids.
The story and action are good stuff. And as alluded to above, more modern touches, such as the ability to warp from place to place, are welcome. It’s frankly impressive that they’re here.
So I can see why people love this game and brag on it being one of the hidden gems on the NES. I’m glad I played it. But fair warning: you’re gonna need to keep a guide handy throughout the experience to make any kind of headway.