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Golden Sun (series)
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== Common gameplay elements == The ''Golden Sun'' series follows a contemporary presentation of the traditional [[console role-playing game]] formula. Players guide a cast of characters as they journey through a fantasy-themed world, interact with other characters, battle monsters, acquire increasingly powerful [[magic (fantasy)|magic spells]] and equipment, and take part in a building, predefined narrative.<ref name="thunder"/> Much of the game's time spent outside of battle takes place in [[dungeon crawl|dungeon]]s, caves, and other locales, which generally require the player to find items that grant the bearer new forms of Psynergy in order to solve the puzzles integrated into their layout. To complete these puzzles, players must either push pillars to construct negotiable paths between elevated areas, climb up and rappel down cliffs, or obtain a special item to progress through the story and game world.<ref name="Psynergy">[[#manual|Camelot (2002)]], pp. 20-21.</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/481980/page_2.html|title=Basics: Puzzle Psynergy Spells|publisher=[[IGN]]|author=Kepper, Sean|accessdate=2008-07-13}}</ref> Outside of these dungeons and locales, the player must traverse through a large world map as they navigate between [[forests]], [[rivers]], [[mountain ranges]], and in ''The Lost Age'', the [[ocean]].<ref name=advice>{{cite book|year=2002|editor=Camelot|title=Golden Sun Instruction Manual: Advice for Adepts|pages=50–53|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> Successful exploration of the game's world and conduction of the game's battles is heavily dependent on the strategic usage of the extensive pool of Psynergy spells available.<ref name="psynergy">{{cite web|url=http://www.goldensun.rpgplanet.gamespy.com/gs/psynergy.php|title=Psynergy List|publisher=Goldensun.rpgplanet.gamespy.com|accessdate=July 10, 2006}}</ref> Whereas many other [[Console role-playing game|RPG]]s limit the usage of their forms of magic to battles as offensive and defensive measures, Psynergy spells can be used both for battle, and for solving puzzles in the game's locales.<ref name=ae>{{cite web|date=2001-12-08|author=Flowe, Doug|url=http://www.armchairempire.com/Reviews/gba/golden_sun.htm|title=GBA Reviews: Golden Sun|publisher=armchairempire.com|accessdate=2007-09-19}}</ref> A portion of the game's Psynergy can only be used in combat; conversely, many spells are only used in the game's [[overworld]] and non-battle scenarios. At the same time, there are Psynergy spells can be used in both situations; for example, the "Whirlwind" spell that can be used to damage enemies in battle is also used out of battle to clear away overgrown foliage that may block the player's path.<ref>{{cite book|year=2002|editor=Camelot|title=Golden Sun Instruction Manual: Advice for Adepts|pages=51|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> Psynergy comes in four elements: [[Venus]] (manipulation of rocks and plants), [[Mars]] (revolving around fire and heat), [[Jupiter]] (based on wind and electricity), and [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] (concerning water and ice).<ref>{{cite book|year=2002|editor=Camelot|title=Golden Sun Instruction Manual: Djinn|pages=16|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> The player gains more Psynergy spells as the game progresses, both through [[Experience point|leveling up]] and the acquisition of special Psynergy-bestowing items, and with each "utility" Psynergy spell the party gains access to more locations and secrets hidden in the game world. Players can return to previous locations in the game to finish puzzles which they could not solve earlier because of the lack of a specific Psynergy spell.<ref name=advice/> === Battle === [[File:GoldenSunBattle.png|thumb|right|Battles in ''Golden Sun'' have many special effects. Here, a weapon specific attack is unleashed by the sword Gaia Blade.]] ''Golden Sun'' contains both [[random encounter|random monster encounters]], featuring randomly selected enemies,<ref name=allgame>{{cite web|url=http://allgame.com/game.php?id=35091|title=Allgame: ''Golden Sun''|publisher=allgame.com|accessdate=2007-09-20}}</ref> and compulsory battles involving set enemies, which advance the story. When a battle begins, a separate screen is brought up where the player's party and enemy party face-off on opposing sides. During a battle, the characters and the background rotate to give a pseudo-[[3D computer graphics|3D]] effect.<ref name="spaceworld">{{cite web|author=IGN Staff|year=2001|title=Golden Sun Preview|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/135/135255p1.html|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=January 6, 2007}}</ref> Additional gameplay during battle is similar to that of traditional [[Console role-playing game|console RPGs]] by defeating enemies in a variety of measures, including the afore-mentioned psynergy skill, summoning other-worldly entities by use of [[Djinn]], or direct combat through various forms of [[weapon]]ry.<ref name=rpg>{{cite web|author=Nguyen, Chase|url=http://www.allrpg.com/games/goldensun/index.php3?page=review&num=2|title=Golden Sun|publisher=allrpg.com|accessdate=2007-09-20|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070603152912/http://www.allrpg.com/games/goldensun/index.php3?page=review&num=2|archivedate=2007-06-03}}</ref> In addition, there are various measures to keep one's own party alive through supportive psynergy and healing items—as well as calling upon Djinn to revive a downed player.<ref>{{cite book|year=2002|editor=Camelot|title=Golden Sun Instruction Manual: Shops, Inns, and Sanctums|pages=34|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> If the player's entire party is downed by reducing their [[hit points]] to zero, it is considered "Game Over", and the party is returned to the last [[Sanctum]] that the player visited and suffers a monetary penalty. The successful completion of a battle yields [[experience points]], coins, and sometimes [[item]]s.<ref name=rpg/> In addition to the main game itself, there is also a competitive battling mode accessible from the menu screen. In this mode, players can enter their currently-developed team from their saved game files into an arena environment where they can either battle increasingly difficult CPU-controlled enemies with their full parties, or select three of their four party members to do battle against another player's three-character team. In neither case is there a reward or penalty for winning or losing.<ref>{{cite book|year=2002|editor=Camelot|title=Golden Sun Instruction Manual: The Arena|pages=52–54|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> === Djinn system === One of the most distinctive features of ''Golden Sun'' is the collecting and manipulation of magical creatures called [[Genie|Djinn]] ''(Singular: Djinni)''. Djinn, based on each of the four classical elements, can be found scattered in hiding throughout the game and are allocated to each character. The Djinn form the basis of the game's statistic enhancement, as well as the system that dictates the character's Psynergy capabilities.<ref name=p19>{{cite book|year=2002|editor=Camelot|title=Golden Sun Instruction Manual: Djinn and their Abilities|pages=19|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> Attaching different Djinn to different characters modifies that character's [[character class]], subsequently modifying hit points, Psynergy points, and other statistics, as well as determining what Psynergy the character is able to perform.<ref name=p32>{{cite book|year=2002|editor=Camelot|title=Golden Sun Instruction Manual: Character Classes|pages=32|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> In ''Golden Sun'', Djinn can either be "turned on" ("Set") or "turned off" ("On Standby"). When a Djinni is "Set" to a character, that Djinni exerts influence on that character's class<ref name=allgame /> (and therefore, his or her statistics and Psynergy collection) relative to both the character's innate element and that of the Djinni.<ref name=p19/> As there are twenty-eight Djinn encompassing the four elements that can be mixed and matched to the four characters, a large array of possible class setups for all four characters are potentially available, allowing a variety of combat options.<ref>{{cite book|year=2002|editor=Camelot|title=Golden Sun Instruction Manual: Tips|pages=50|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> In combat, a Djinni has several primary uses. Each Djinni has its own special ability which can be invoked during combat by the character it is attached to, which can include enhanced elemental attacks, [[Buff (MMORPG terminology)|buffing]] or debuffing spells, healing/restoration spells, and other effects. After a successful invoke, the Djinni shifts to "Standby" mode until it is "Set" on the character again.<ref name="djinn">{{cite book|year=2002|editor=Camelot|title=Golden Sun Instruction Manual: Dijinn|pages=44|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> While in standby, the Djinn do not contribute to character classes or statistics, but can be used for summon sequences, which are attacks where the player summons a powerful elemental monster to inflict damage on every enemy. This is the game's most powerful method of attack, and also the riskiest, as it requires Djinn to be on Standby and therefore not be available to bolster the statistics of whatever character the Djinn are on.<ref>{{cite book|year=2002|editor=Camelot|title=Golden Sun Instruction Manual|pages=Appendix A|publisher=Nintendo|nopp=true}}</ref> Once a Djinni on Standby has been used for a Summon Sequence, it must rest a number of turns before it restores itself to Set position on a character. There are sixteen Summon Sequences in ''Golden Sun'', four for each element, and each summon sequence takes between one and four Djinn of the same element on Standby.<ref name="djinn"/>
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