GameSpot writes: "A game that was originally meant for the Game Boy Advance, Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled now makes it way to the Nintendo DS thanks to Studio Archcraft, an indie studio based in Montreal, Quebec. A traditional role-playing game that will remind you of classics such as Chrono Trigger, Black Sigil tells the intriguing story of a young man born without magic in a world where everyone has this mystical power. This original 2D RPG will look and feel like it belongs in the past, but it is still quite a bit of fun for those who don't care for the glossy 3D makeovers that recent Japanese RPGs have been getting".
Gamertell has posted its DS game recommendations for the 2009 holiday shopping season.
The list is divided by ESRB ratings.
TRB writes: "Old school role playing games seem to be the sure hit on the Nintendo DS. The simple gameplay is easy for portable gaming and the time to complete these games is either double or triple the length of modern games. Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled offers the style of gameplay that fans of the most praised game on the SNES will jump right into and find plenty to love."
GameShark writes: "Late last year, Chrono Trigger DS came along and reminded players how great 2D RPGs used to be. Unfortunately, it also had another unintended effect: making Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled look like a unimaginative carbon copy. Even though it's a delightfully detailed and colorful RPG, Black Sigil lifts the entirety of its graphical style, character movements, and overall aestetic directly from Crono's adventure. While imitation is the highest form of flattery, this modern day retro revival is reserved for hardcore enthusiasts only".
