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Boktai: The Sun Is In Your Hand

Boktai: The Sun Is In Your Hand

Written by Ara Ajizian on 10/22/2003 for GBA  
More On: Boktai: The Sun Is In Your Hand
Gimmick Alert!! Gimmick Alert!!

That might be the first thing you think when you start playing Boktai. And sure, technically the whole solar sensor thing is a gimmick, but this one actually works, and even makes the game more intriguing.

Basically, the game is a Zelda-type RPG, involving dungeons, puzzles, and monster fighting. You are Django the Solar Boy, son of a great vampire hunter. Django’s mission is, of course, to save the world and avenge his father’s death. Guiding Django is Master Otenko, messenger of the sun. Otenko gives you tips on how to solve certain puzzles, or how to fight certain enemies, etc. Now, all this may sound like your run-of-the-mill RPG, but the dynamics that the solar sensor adds make the game much more appealing.

The solar sensor on Boktai’s cartridge really is amazing. First of all, it’s nearly impossible to trick it. I’ve read that a black light may work for this purpose, but I didn’t try. Any other sort of artificial light will not affect the sensor, so if you’re going to get this game, be prepared to spend some time outdoors. The sensor affects the game in a number of ways. Its main purpose is to recharge your weapon, the Gun del Sol. If you are outside in the sun, and Django is outside in the game, you can simply press A to recharge. If Django is in a dungeon while you’re outside, skylights appear that allow you to recharge. The more sunlight you have, the faster the recharge. Playing in the sun also adds charges to “solar stations” in the game that allow you to recharge as well.

Sunlight also affects the game in other ways. If you’re in a swamp, for example, the poisonous bogs will dry up if you’re in the sun. Conversely, fire spouting traps in the dungeons will grow longer if you’re out in the sun. These types of elements are what truly make this game great. You have to play outside to succeed, but you have to know when it’s time to put the game down, or take it in the shade.

The sensor is tied into the game’s time setting as well, so in the late afternoon, the sun’s rays won’t be as powerful as in the afternoon. The bottom line is this—the more you can play in the sun, the better. However, too much sun can be a bad thing too, as the Gun del Sol is capable of overheating if the sun is too hot. The game stresses that you should take frequent breaks if you’re playing outside to avoid this.

As for the gameplay, Boktai really gives all you could ask for from a GBA title. The graphics are clear and concise, and the game moves fluidly from one scene to the next. The Gun del Sol is a versatile weapon, as you can collect different frames for it that affect its firing power. Different batteries can also be found that allow the gun to store more solar energy. This makes you less dependent on the actual sun, but you will still need to spend most of the time playing in direct sunlight.
Boktai also has a wide assortment of undead creatures to fight. Most can be destroyed with a few blasts of the Gun del Sol, but defeating the Immortal bosses requires a little more firepower. This is where the Pile Driver comes into play. Before entering an Immortal’s lair, Django will set up the Pile Driver. After you defeat the Immortal inside his lair, he retreats into a coffin, which Django must then drag back to the Pile Driver. This is when the “purification” of the Immortals occurs. Django must keep the Pile Driver’s generators focused on the Immortal until he is vanquished. This was an interesting addition to the standard boss battle that I felt added to the overall depth of the game.

Also adding to Boktai’s depth was the introduction of Lita, guardian of the Solar Tree. As you progress through the game, defeating bosses and collecting sunlight via the sensor, the Solar Tree slowly begins to regain its strength. Once it gets healthy enough, Django becomes able to plant solar fruits and nuts that can be harvested later. I was impressed with the multitude of ways there were to keep the game playable without sunlight. However, without the sun, your energy is in limited supply, so sooner or later you’ll be back outside again. Solar banks are another way to store and retrieve solar energy in the game. The banks are often a better bet than the solar stations, as your deposits accrue interest daily. Django encounters solar stations more frequently than the banks, so it’s good to keep some stored up in them at all times.

There were very few things to complain about with Boktai. The biggest problem I ran into was trying to tilt the GBA to gain maximum solar power and still be able to see the screen clearly. This was mostly a minor annoyance, though, and really only happened on the brightest mid-afternoons.

I have to admit that I was pretty skeptical about Boktai when I first started playing; dismissing the game as simply another gimmick-based lamefest. After 10 minutes of playing though, I was hooked. I found myself cursing the sun as it went down behind the hills, because I wanted to keep playing. Konami proved my initial assessment wrong, and showed just why they’ve been in business for so many years. Unless you’re allergic to sunlight, or just like to sit in a dark room while you game, I’d highly recommend adding Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand to your GBA library.
Konami combines something old with something new to create something great. Boktai’s classic Zelda-style gameplay is both fun and challenging in and of itself, but the solar sensor adds a whole new dimension. Your progress in the game relies on real sunlight, whether it’s to recharge your weapon or to reveal your path. Because the sensor actually works, Konami has successfully avoided the “gimmick” tag that could be applied. I’d recommend this one to everyone….well, not vampires.

Rating: 8.7 Very Good

* The product in this article was sent to us by the developer/company.


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