From: ccastbh@prism.gatech.EDU (Brad Hamlett)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video
Subject: [TG16] Exile (CD) review
Summary: review of Exile (Tg-CD)
Date: 23 Nov 92 18:36:02 GMT
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology



	Here's another in the series of TG/PC Engine game reviews.
	
	Exile (CD).

	Exile is an action/RPG very similiar in gameplay to Ys III.
	While in a town, the perspective is from a 3/4ths top-down
	view.  Playing the alter ego of Sadler, you walk around
	gathering clues and buying weapons/armor/etc.  In the
	'wilderness' perspective shifts to a multi-scrolling side
	view.  All combat takes place on the side view screens.
	Like in most RPGs, in Exile, you gain experience which nets
	you more hit points/magic points and combat power.  The magic
	system in Exile is very limited.  There are only three types
	of magic -- a fire-slash, ice-bomb, and restoration.  The first
	two are simply a way to fire ranged attacks at oppenents instead
	of hitting them with your weapon.  Both fire-slash and ice-bomb
	have three power levels.  Restoration simply drains your magic
	points to restore your hit points.

	You will gather NPCs along the way.  They simply offer advice or
	important items, but do not participate in fights.  The storyline
	seems to be based on the Crusades of medieval europe...in fact
	most of the story is based in the middle east.

	The intermissions are interesting and the voice acting is decent...
	about as good as that in Cosmic Fantasy 2.  The music is excellent
	and sets the mood perfectly.  The biggest flaw with the game is
	that it is far too easy.  It took me all of two nights to complete.
	There are no really difficult puzzles and only the last fight is
	truly challenging.  Besides being easy, the game is just way too
	short...shorter than Ys III by half.

	One last side note.  You may have seen the ads for Exile advertising
	the 'uncut' version.  This probably amounts to the pool of blood
	seen when you die and the Festival of Bakus (their spelling, not
	mine) in one of the cities.  Save your money, rent this one over a
	weekend.


		Gameplay: 	8
		Graphics: 	8.5
		Sound/BGM:	9.5
		Challenge:	2.5
		Manual:		7
		Overall:	5  (It's just too short and easy)

	Key to my ratings:

		Gameplay:	How fun is the game?  Do the characters/ships
				control well?  Is there enough variety?
		Graphics:	How does the game look?  Are the intermissions
				interesting? (if any).
		Sound/BGM:	Are the sound effects cheesy?  Do they cover
				up the music?  Is the music so bad that you
				wish the sound effects would cover it up?
		Challenge:	Can the game be solved/won in a night? a
				weekend? ever?
		Manual:		How is the manual arranged?  does it tell you
				everything you need?  Is it in color?
		Overall:	Is the game worth buying?  renting?  feeding
				to your dog?

	Some of my favorite TG games include:  Military Madness, MotoRoader,
	Ninja Spirit, Cadash, Silent Debuggers, Ys(CD), Sherlock Holmes(CD),
	Cosmic Fantasy 2(CD), Valis III(CD), BomberMan, Order of the Griffon,
	and Aeroblasters.  Some of my favorite PC-Engine games include:
	Dead Moon, Vasteel (CD), Super Darius (CD), Ranma 1/2 (CD), Lady
	Phantom (SCD), Spriggan Mk. 2 (SCD), and OutRun.


Brad Hamlett
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
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