Illusion of Gaia

Overview

Illusion of Gaia (Illusion of Time in PAL territories) is a game that was released for the SNES in 1994. Incorporating action and RPG elements, the game tracks the adventures of a young boy named Will, who has been tasked with a mysterious quest by his missing father. He and his friends are swept across the world by his unfolding destiny.

It is the second part of the Soul Blazer franchise, which includes Soul Blazer, Terranigma (both also for SNES) and The Granstream Saga.

Gameplay

The sprite-based game features an angled top-down view of the action, with the player controlling Will (in one guise or another) through the entire game. Will can attack enemies with his flute in the game's real-time combat. As the game progresses, Will gains access to "Dark Space," an extradimensional area accessible by stationary portals where he can save his game and transform himself into Freedan (and later, Shadow), a character more suited for combat. All three characters learn techniques that make them either required or preferred to advance through parts of the game.

Statistical character development is limited to jewels that increase either Attack, Defense, or Health. These jewels can be found by killing all the enemies in an area, which is also occasionally necessary to release a Force that removes an obstacle to advancement. These enemies are indicated on Will's map and do not respawn once killed unless Will runs out of lives or returns to an area he has since left. Lives can be gained by collecting 100 jewels dropped by most defeated enemies. Health can be restored through the use of herbs, of which there are a finite number hidden in the game. There is no currency or merchants in the sense of traditional RPGs; however there is a Jeweler who rewards Will with items for "sending" him gems he finds (a use-action that can be activated from the gem). There are 50 such gems hidden throughout the game, and collecting them all reveals a secret level and the story behind the Jeweler.

As Will's adventure leads him forward, areas and towns are left behind, oftentimes permanently. The first half (roughly) of the game world will become inaccessible by the second half. Therefore, it is important for the player to collect as many herbs, gems, and statistical jewels as possible before moving on, as failing to accomplish enough can leave Will lacking later on and make the game more difficult. Much of the game takes place in conversation, both in towns and many other, less traditional places for conversation. In some places the player must simply read the story, in others the player must spur the game forward, either by talking, waiting, watching, or fetching an apple from the marketplace.

An odd note is that an entire walkthrough for the game (including the locations of the hidden jewels) is included in the game manual.

Characters

	Will The hero of Illusion of Gaia, this school-aged boy returned to South Cape one year earlier without his father, who was lost during a voyage to explore the biblical Tower of Babel. Will is determined to find his father again, though he seems a bit fuzzy on what exactly happened. Since the return, he has discovered he has a limited psychic ability, and at the outset of the game finds that he is able to see (and enter) portals to another dimension called "Dark Space." He has a close relationship with his friends and relies on them for advice, companionship, and aid on his journey; yet Will, as he will come to learn, is perhaps the only one with the power to save Earth from the approach of chaos from the sky. He learns to persevere in his calling, even as others must sacrifice to help him.
	Kara A selfish, spoiled princess of nearby Edward Castle (Edward being her father), Kara encounters Will while leaving the castle on one of her semi-regular rebellions against the stifling restraints of her life. She visits South Cape and meets Will and his grandparents before being dragged away by guards. When Will is beckoned to the castle to surrender his father's ring, she pleads for his aid in helping her escape, and when his audience goes badly, she sends her loyal pig Hamlet to release him, joining him afterwords. Kara grows more than any other character in the story, transformed by her experiences from a sulking, obstinate brat to a confident, useful contributor and Will's closest friend. As the game approaches its end, Kara reaches a potential far beyond her shallow beginnings.
	Seth One of Will's three school friends, Seth comes from a hostile home, and prefers to spend most of his time playing cards with his companions at their secret seaside cave. Intelligent and adventurous, Seth is a normal school boy of his age. He has the best diagnosis of Will's budding powers when Will demonstrates them, and comes with the other boys to join Will on his quest. Unfortunately for Seth, a strange and terrifying fate awaits him in his journey, but one that will later help Will to understand what his quest encompasses and why it is important.
	Erik Another of Will's school friends, Erik's family is the oldest of South Cape, and their house is the biggest. This doesn't seem to rub off on Erik, though, who is Will's most affable companion, never presenting Will with difficulties and always helping with advice. Erik seems to reflect Will's former life as a normal boy, as he follows Will throughout the entire game but undergoes no particular character change from his carefree days hanging out in the cave, except in adapting to the rigors of the traveling life. Erik is a source of scatological humor, constantly being interrupted in his attempts to go to the bathroom.
	Lance A close friend of Will, Lance also lost his explorer father in an expedition. His only remaining family is his mother, who knew Will's family. Lance is the most forthright of the group, stating his mind and pushing the others to a course of action. While not quite bossy, he's definitely comfortable putting his foot down on a course of action. Being a loyal friend, this course of action is usually to follow Will; that is, his time with one of his traveling companions bring him to find love.
	Lilly An adolescent child from Itory Village, Lilly is protected by the Flower Spirit and can transform herself into a dandelion and fly through the air at will. While just as headstrong as Kara, Lilly is her polar opposite in experience, knowing much of nearby world from her travels, and has little patience for her. She is proud of the unique nature of her magical village and people and knows Will's family through his mother's side. She is assigned by her tribe to help Will escape from Edward Castle, but discovers her aid is unnecessary. She is an energetic, hard-working companion who wants to help Will succeed, but eventually she finds something more in another member of the group.
	Neil Will's long-lost cousin, Neil is modeled as a Leonardo DaVinci of the world, inventing such myriad devices as the telescope, the camera, and the airplane. When their journey deposits the group relatively near his workshop, Will decides to take a detour to ask Neil for advice for how to accomplish the mysterious task he's been given. Neil is an eccentric but kind man, willing to help with the interesting challenges facing Will. An incident leading to an attack of conscience will bring Neil to leave his tinkering and adventuring behind and become respectable.
	Hamlet Kara's pet pig, Hamlet, displays an empathy beyond what most would expect from a farm animal. Willing to brave a dungeon, the world, and even death to help his mistress and other human beings in need, Hamlet represents a pure goodness and the duty of friendship in his brief time in the story.
	The Jackal A bounty hunter relentlessly pursuing Kara as per her parents' orders. Though only encountered once late in the game, there are often hints suggesting he is on Will's tail.
	Freedan An enigmatic "Dark Knight" whose body Will inhabits during many dungeon sections, due to his superior martial ability. Freedan also has several powers that are required to progress in dungeons.
	Shadow An even more mysterious character, Shadow is able to merge with the floor and walls to reach new areas. He is unlocked for Will's use close to the end of the game.
	Gaia Will's main benefactor, Gaia is a goddess that represents the Earth who resides in the Dark Space, giving the player hints on where to go next. Her counterpart is the Dark Gaia, a comet currently heading towards the planet. Dark Gaia is responsible for many of the ills in the world.