Guardian's Crusade [NTSC-U] ISO
[SLUS-00811]

Despite this game's low popularity, cartoon-like graphics, rather cutesy appearance, and simplistic title (Especially in Japan... Knight And Baby. Guess what it's about?), it really opens open a whole new world in RPGs, and combining the aspects of a few others, such as FF7 and The Legend Of Zelda. This game starts off with a boy, appropriately named Knight, being awaken by a Navi-like (though not nearly as in your face) fairy named Nehani. As you start off the day, you're the errand boy of the village. The Mayor asks the boy to deliver a letter to another mayor of the next town, regarding the recent drought that has been killing all of the plantation and livestock and ruining towns economically. Knight easily completes this task, and heads back to his town after he is done delivering the letter. On his way back, he comes across a baby hippo/bunny/pig... thing... which is also pretty appropriately named, Baby. After Knight encounters him, he is embraced by a vision of an ancient. He tells him of his fate and how he must escort the baby to God's Tower, which is located on the other side of the globe. If Knight were to fail to complete this trial, all that he knows and loves would be lost to darkness. Thus, Knight is set off on his epic journey... The Guardian's Crusade. Overall, this game is very well made for its time. The translators of Activision did an especially good job of translating the game, as they add their own twists and humor to it (One being calling the key item slot of the bag Junk). The story, while rather short at 25 hours worth of play time, is worth every minute. Gameplay is also good, especially since this game adds a factor usual RPGs don't: a virtual pet system. Your partner baby is basically that of a Tomagatchi pet.  You can raise your relationship with him, and therefore his strength and willingness to do things, by feeding him anything not poisonous (even swords!), talking to him, and showing him your courage by not running from battle. However, this also works the other way, like letting him die, making him fetch things, and giving him poison items, which will cause him to run away from battle, and maybe even bite you. But, this is what makes this game unique and amazing. There is also a collectables aspect: the Living Toys. They are basically this game's summons, and are sometimes in the most random of places. You can have them fight alongside you, and they are often very helpful. This game has been a favorite of mine for over a decade and is well worth a try. How could you not love having a pink hippo rabbit as a pet, anyways? The great story, turn-based system, features, hidden items, pet system, etc. are all what have led me to give this game a 5/5. Now, with the rest of your free time that you have after reading this, not a minute should be wasted to start playing this game. Enjoy the world of Guardian's Crusade!