Evolution

Evolution has a delightfully simple interface, as well colourful characters with distinct personalities. It's simplicity is (arguabley) a blessing in that it doesn't bog you down with endless statistics, which should give newcomers to the genre an easy ride. The graphics are solid and the characters are modelled well, and there are nice special effects thrown into the fighs. Right, that's the good out of the way.

Now on to the bad stuff. Evolution uses a TERRIBLE random dungeon system, which basically means that as you travel in the ruins you explore, each floor is randomly generated. Although this means you should never play the same level twice, the results are mainly bad. The system limits the graphics it uses, which means that everwhere will look the same - it basically consists of identical-looking corridors which lead to few rooms which appear on each floor. This ultimately means that you'll become bored of the environment as you battle your way through the floors. It doesn't leave way to any puzzles of any sort, either, meaning gameplay consists of fighting monsters and finding the way out of each floor. That's it.

Thankfully the fighting system saves it from becoming unbearable. It's the usual RPG turn-based affair, but instead of being random you can see the enemies in the field and attack them at will, Grandia style. In most cases you'll have to fight if you see monsters, but sometimes you'll be able to pass unnoticed if you want to save time. The combat itself is passable - there's a wealth of moves to learn and it is quite nicely paced, so they don't take too long. The 3 rows concept adds tactical value to it, but on the whole it's nothing to shout about.

It's a shame that the ruins in the game are so poor, because there isn't really anything else to this game. The story is weak and the game is over too quickly (if you don't stop playing before you complete it). There's added longevity after you finish the story in paying of your family's debt, but disappointingly this is not something you are rewarded for.

Evolution is a mediocre RPG. It's easy to get into and simple to play, and to a degree it is enjoyable, but the lack of story and tediousness of the dungeons after a while cement it's below averge status. If you find it cheap, it may be worth a look, but with other RPGs available now you're far better off picking up one of them.