Mazes is a first-person action RPG developed by Sabarasa Entertainment, a mid-sized development studio based in Argentina, and published by Graffiti Entertainment. Mazes of Fate was released originally for the Game Boy Advance late in 2006, but received little publicity. It has now been remade on DS and includes fully 3D movement and touch screen controls.
RPGamer has a hands-on impression of Mazes of Fate, so click below and become lost.
The classic role of yesteryear back to personify in Mazes of Fate DS, a game with Argentina and flavor with a retro aura that 3DJuegos put into the skin of several characters to contain the wrath of the gods before the misfortunes of mankind.
If you can find the GBA version of Mazes of Fate, it might be worth a snag. If you're into old school first-person dungeon exploring, and don't mind a heavy difficulty, then it can be enjoyable. That being said, don't even think about picking up the DS version. The remade dungeons are hideous and the enemies lost the ability to even perform their basic duty of attacking the player. IGN doesn't understand how the developers didn't realize they butchered their own game and completely ruined it.
Presentation - 6.0
Graphics - 4.5
Sound - 4.5
Gameplay - 3.5
Lasting Appeal - 5.0
Overall -
Mazes of Fate takes gameplay elements from some notable PC RPG's and transplants them onto the DS in a mostly worthwhile effort. For those who either love portable RPG's or love games like Lands of Lore and Eye of the Beholder, Mazes of Fate replicates that sort of play style mostly successfully through use of the DS stylus, and the end result is a game that is generally easy to play, features plenty of depth and replay value, and is mostly enjoyable from start to finish.
It's not a particularly pretty game, unfortunately, and between the less than sensible enemy AI and the occasional interface flaw, the game may either be too easy or too frustrating for some. If you're willing to overlook these issues, however, you'll find Mazes of Fate to be worth the investment, especially if you're a fan of the sorts of games it's emulating.
But I think that what the ds is lacking is a good jrpg. I mean, FFIII was ok but it was true to it's early roots meaning not really as much story or immersiveness as we are used to today. FFIV doesn't look like it will be out for another good 1000 years in Europe, if ever.
So what does that leave us in the realm of JRPGS, good, solid immersive ones?