The Game Boy Advance is quickly becoming the RPG gamer's system of choice. Solidifying this position, Atlus U.S.A. is releasing Lufia: The Ruins of Lore for the Game Boy Advance this spring.

Resurrect Evil

When you're an evil dictator bent on ruling your world, there's no plan more popular than resurrecting an all-powerful demon to do your bidding. As luck would have it, such a scenario is at the heart of The Ruins of Lore's story. Players follow the adventures of young monster-hunter Eldin and his lifelong friends, Torma and Rami.

Begat by strategy veterans Atlus (Tactics Ogre, Robopon), the Lufia series has enjoyed success on the Super Nintendo and Game Boy Color. While not a direct sequel to any previous Lufia games, The Ruins of Lore continues most of the traditions of this excellent series.

RPG Adventure or Adventure RPG?

The Lufia games have always incorporated an interesting mix of turn-based combat and Zelda-esque puzzle solving. While you primarily control Eldin, you can switch to any other party member by pushing the L Button. Each character comes equipped with a unique tool that can be used any time outside of combat.

For example, Eldin carries a sword which can be used to cut down bushes. Switch to Torma and you can use his grappling hook to cross gaps. Party members can also activate switches and push and pick up items like jars and crates.

Keep a close eye on your surroundings for possible secrets. You'll also have to watch out for the monsters that inhabit just about every dungeon and forest you travel through. Encountering a monster will initiate a turn-based battle sequence.

Tag-Team Battling

At quest's beginning, the battle system seems fairly familiar. At your disposal are attack, defend and item commands. You can switch among party members in battle.

As a hunter, Eldin soon learns the ability to capture monsters in battle. Once captured, a monster can be trained as a loyal companion and will even battle at your side. After a time, your monsters will gain experience, learn new abilities and even evolve into more powerful creatures.

More Than An Adventure, It's A Job

Your party members are more than just traveling companions. After you assign them to character classes such as thief and swordsman, they can learn special skills from master trainers. You can have as many as eight party members at once.

You can connect as many as four Game Boy Advances together to trade monsters and explore with your friends the Ancient Cave's 60 levels of randomly generated dungeons. The cave hides many rare and powerful artifacts.

Multiplayer action requires GBAs and Game Paks for every player and enough GBA Game Link cables to connect all systems.

Whether you play alone or with friends, Lufia: The Ruins of Lore offers hours of addictive RPG gameplay.