Review: Demon Stone (Xbox*)

Graphics- 8.5/10
Sound- 9/10
Gameplay- 8.5/10
Replay Value- 9/10
Overall- 8.5/10

Based on the Dungeons and Dragons setting Forgotten Realms, Demon Stone is a heavy hack n' slash RPG. With 3 main characters, the game's story has a nice bit of depth as well. Also, the game's music is one the biggest highlights.

As you begin Demon Stone, you quickly realize how much this game focuses on the hack n' slash gameplay. Although their are bits and pieces of times in the game where the elements of play are changed, you'll find yourself mowing through legions of enemies most of the time. As you fight, you'll come against a lot of classic fantasy monsters such as orcs, trolls, and a red dragon (which is a pretty sweet part of the game in my opinion). As well, their will be some not so well known creatures to fight. But the biggest feature of the game is being able to switch between 3 different characters at any time. The 3 members of your party are a human fighter, a human wizard, and a drow (dark elf) rogue. All three are together after the first level. Each of the characters have their own unique skills. The fighter can take tons of hits and deal them also, the wizard excels at long range magic fighting, and the rogue can sneak behind enemies for one hit kills. For the bulk of the game, you'll probably be using the character that most appeals to you. Although, there are plenty of moments when a certain character's skills are specifically needed. So the game offers plenty of variety in the long run, but there is still a heavy focus on just fighting. On the RPG side, you'll get what you expect- experience points to get stronger and gold for better equipment. The way this portion of the game is set up is kind of simplistic. Along the way you collect gold, and at the end of each level the gold, along with experience points, is totaled up. At this point, you can spend your experience points on better moves and improved attributes and your gold can go towards new equipment. The whole process is simplified by letting choose to get all the best upgrades possible with the amount of gold and experience points you have for all the characters at once. Over all, these game mechanics make the game a fun, although a bit simple, action RPG. The action is actually really good and keeps you on the edge of your seat. But a warning, the game can get a bit annoyingly hard. The big problem, though, is the camera, of which you have no control over. Every once in awhile the angles used for the camera become a problem, although, the game still stays fun.

Besides the camera, the rest of the visuals are pretty good. The graphics themselves are good and offer nice detail. The colors, as well, are done nicely. There is a tone used in the colors that really gives the game a different, original, and very fitting feeling (think stylish dark, not spooky dark). But, in the end, the designs are my personal favorite. The character's faces have feeling and are very fitting to each of the characters' roles. As well, the designs of the equipment are some of my favorite in any RPG and I hope to see more of such designs in other Dungeons and Dragons based games. The animation, too, is very well done. The character's moves are very appealing and make you think "wow, I wish could do that" plenty of times. But the games visuals are bested by the sound. More specifically, the music. The fantasy setting soundtrack is filled with movie quality music that really gets you into the action and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

All in all, Demon Stone offers plenty of fun, simple, and action packed fantasy gameplay. The visuals and animations are well done and the music really shines. As well, the replay value is very good as you can play through the game using any of the 3 main characters.

Pros: Action packed, cool designs, lots of fantasy creatures/ settings, and great music.
Cons: Kind of simple, fighting can get repetitive, bad camera.

* Also on Playstation 2, review only for Xbox version.

Review: Vedran