Steam
Golden Sun 2: The Lost Age
95
Final Score
JRPG
Release Date: 2002
Developer: Camelot Software Planning
Publisher: Nintendo

Golden Sun 2: The Lost Age

The perfect conclusion to the GBA duology, completely connects with the previous work and can be viewed as one complete game. Ingenious character switching and foreshadowing completion, creating an unforgettable adventure experience under limited hardware conditions.

Art Appreciation

Golden Sun: The Lost Age, due to GBA's hardware limitations, was split into two parts for release, so this so-called sequel can actually be viewed as one complete game with the first, with story, puzzles, and content perfectly connected. However, the second game cleverly switches the protagonist team to another group of characters who appeared in the first game, completing the story foreshadowing laid in the first installment. Finally, the sage says that after lighting the four lighthouses, the Golden Sun will rise, ending with this thematic conclusion. The overall tone is very JRPG-like, with almost no absolutely evil character designs and a happy ending for everyone. Of course, the consensus in some reviews is that the story is of average quality, while puzzles, graphics, and music are the real factors that made it legendary. However, I'm passionate about RPGs because I love stories, and this revisit journey was very pleasant. Actually, calling it a revisit could also be called a first experience. Too many games from childhood were never completed, some might not even have left the starting village, and Golden Sun was one of them - this was actually the first time completing it. The feeling of completing childhood memories is surely infinitely joyful. As the conclusion of the GBA duology, it perfectly continues the quality of its predecessor, creating an unforgettable adventure experience under limited hardware conditions.

Rating Breakdown

Core Gameplay & Fun
40%

Deductions

Repetitiveness
-1 pts

Some puzzles and battle patterns resemble the previous game, which may feel repetitive.

Innovation
-1 pts

As a sequel, it's less innovative than the first game, mainly continuing and refining its systems.

Highlights

Core Mechanics

It can be seen entirely as one game with the first, with story, puzzles and everything else seamlessly connected, and well-refined systems.

Gameplay Depth

It cleverly switches the protagonist party to another group of characters and resolves the story threads planted in the first game; a brilliant design.

Immersion

The journey of revisiting it was a delight; the feeling of completing my childhood is endlessly joyful, and the immersion is strong.

Technical Performance & Stability
25%

Deductions

Hardware Compatibility
-0.5 pts

Due to the GBA's limited power, it had to be released in two parts, constrained by the hardware.

Highlights

Performance Optimization

It creates an unforgettable adventure under limited hardware conditions, with excellent technical execution.

Visuals & Audio
15%

Deductions

Visual Details
-0.5 pts

Limited by the GBA's resolution, the visuals can only show so much detail.

Highlights

Art Style & Consistency

It perfectly continues the previous game's art style, reaching a very high standard on the GBA.

Music Quality

The music is one of the real reasons it became legendary; the soundtrack is top quality.

Story & Narrative
10%

Deductions

Plot Logic
-1 pts

The consensus in some reviews is indeed that the story is average, relatively simple and straightforward.

Highlights

Narrative Coherence

Its story and puzzles connect seamlessly with the first game, giving excellent narrative continuity.

Character Development

It cleverly switches the protagonist party to another group of characters, and the handover is handled well.

Presentation Quality

In the end the Wise One says the Golden Sun will rise once the four lighthouses are lit, closing on the title's theme, with excellent presentation.

Presentation Quality

It resolves the story threads planted in the first game, with a complete structure and satisfying presentation.

World Building Depth

The overall tone is very JRPG, with almost no truly evil characters and a happy ending for everyone.

Content & Longevity
10%

Deductions

Content Richness
-1 pts

Limited by cartridge capacity, the overall amount of content is relatively small compared to modern RPGs.

Highlights

Replayability

As a classic RPG it has high replay value, and completing childhood memories is a wonderful experience.

Collectible Value

It carries on the previous game's Djinn collecting system, with cleverly designed collectibles.

Achievement System Design

Completing the whole duology is hugely satisfying, especially for players who never finished it as kids.