Platform: N-Gage

Genre: Action RPG

Publisher: Nokia

Developer: Tannhauser Gate

ESRB: Not Available

Released: May 2005 (Europe)

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Pros:

- Features the usual action RPG conventions

- Some good missions

Cons:

- The presentation practically kills everything

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"...it’s a good choice if you like the genre and only have an N-Gage.  And if you don’t mind the graphics."

Roots: Gates of Chaos has one significant problem: it’s graphics.  In the vein of Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance and Gauntlet: Dark Legacy, Roots shoots for a ¾ perspective of a 3D environment, complete with 3D characters.  By itself this is a great idea, however it’s execution is horrid.  The 3D characters are more blobby bits of angular textures than anything recognizable.  (Graphics aren’t everything but they should never be this distracting.)  It’s really too bad because if you can fight through that aspect of the game – maybe 90% of the play time – there’s some enjoyment and depth to be found.

To its credit, Roots features some great artwork between mission that dives that action forward.  Equally, the menus are easy to navigate and read.  If only this same sensibility was applied to the action!  If a more straightforward Zelda-like presentation (top down) had been opted for, Roots could have been much more playable.  (However, I’m no game designer so what the hell do I know?)

After choosing one of five characters and completing the most basic of tutorials you set off on your quest to save the world, etc. crushing all whom get in your way.  While the presentation does get in the way, there’s plenty to do on your quest, with side missions to partake in and

lots of nick-nacks, spells and cool weapons to find as you work up your experience points.  It’s not new, but it does offer a competent implementation of the basics of what we expect from an action RPG.

Roots includes a full roster of the other standard RPG accoutrements as well, like a mission log so you always know what you’re supposed to be doing.

The audio comes in very handy when trying to identify beasts and enemies – if it sounds like a wolf, that blob attacking you is probably a wolf.

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Roots: Gates of Chaos is a good effort and offers some depth and since it’s really the only titles in its genre – action RPG – it’s a good choice if you like the genre and only have an N-Gage.  And if you don’t mind the graphics.

- Omni

(June 22, 2005)

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