Gaming Target - Xbox: Nightcaster II: Equinox

Written by Ryan Genno on October 21, 2003

Full Review: "Is this a Night Cast or a Dream Cast game?"

Microsoft's Night Caster was one of the first games for the Xbox and although it was one of the few RPG's on the system at the time, it didn't really light the gaming world on fire. Night Caster's odd mixture of role-playing and arcade action just wasn't what the critics and even the general public was looking for. That why it really surprises me that Jaleco Entertainment would release a big sequel to a mediocre title like a Night Caster, especially since I've seen so many other, far more deserving games not get any type of sequel at all. To be fair though a sequel is a great way to correct the problems of the original. So here we have Night Caster II: Equinox. Can Night Caster II be the top fantasy game for the Xbox or does this series just need to die once and for all?

After the events in the first game, the world was finally getting back to order after the elements of Fire, Water, Light, and Dark were successfully sealed away. All was not well though because many intense wars were started when the armies of darkness wanted to release the power for themselves. Now the world plagued in darkness once again and it's up to the two warriors Arran and Madelyn to use their magical Orbs to save their world from destruction.

Perhaps the game's most unique new feature here is that Night Caster II is now a two-player game, so you don't have to battle the hordes of monsters on your own this time. Although it sounds like a good idea in theory, just try and find a friend who will want to play a game this complicated.

What makes NC II so hard to play, especially for a multi-player experience, is that it uses a very awkward interface system. Players have to pause the game just to see the area's map and this pause menu is filled with over 7 different screens altogether. This is a good reason why we don't usually have too many multi-player RPG's, eh!? I'm also not a big fan of the dual analog control because you have to master one analog stick that moves your character, one analog stick that controls your magic Orb plus you also have to remember where all your different attack buttons are located at all times. The game uses the whole controller here and that's not a good thing for a something that requires split second movements for survival.

On a positive note, NC II looks fantastic at times thanks to some impressive spells (I love the ice strikes) and wait till you see some of the lighting effects created by your Orb. Unfortunately, the game better look good because you're basically in a fixed position, overhead angle the whole adventure. You can turn the perspective slightly if you like but I don't recommend you do this because it will only confuse anyone to where they are on the map. It doesn't help matters either when these dark environments get so repetitive that it's very easy to run around in circles unless you pause your game every so often.

Although NC II's looks were not half bad, the music and sound effects were a different story. In a game where fantasy and myth are the main theme, why in the world is there some second rate Techno music in the game? It doesn't make any sense. The real in-game music doesn't really kick in unless you're in a battle and it's not very good either. Also why does the female character sound like a guy?