Eternal Ring (PlayStation 2, 2000)

Eternal Ring begins with the main character Cain. He hops off a boat on an island shore and begins walking towards a cave entrance. A minor annoyance in the game was the inability to run. He can only walk and you only have the option of turning off the “walking bounce”. His pace is OK, but add paralysis and it becomes very very slow (although paralysis in other games simply stops you all together).
Eternal Ring is coded by the same people that did the Kings Field Series for the PS1, as such it may appear to be a sequel but it only shares some similarities. The graphics are way better (especially in the environments – sunsets) even though they could have spent a little more time on the character faces.
The game uses a first-person perspective, and you use a variety of weapons and magic spells to defeat the enemies. I prefer the ability to actually see my character (not just the weapon)hacking away but this perspective will do. However the lack of weapons forces you to use and learn magic (duh eternal ring – not sword). Each magic spell can be obtained by equipping rings. You can have up to ten rings – five attribute and five magic rings at one time. These are made by a unique process of combining elemental jewels (120 different kinds of spells). Attribute rings will not provide you with magic spell but instead may enhance your abilities, such as increasing your stats. The combinations for creating rings are part luck and part skill since the manual provides some advice on how to create certain rings.
RPG fans hesitant to go online, but drooling with anticipation for FF XII will find this game simple yet satisfying. However gamers that favor high tempo shooter/fighting games will be left with a dry taste in their mouth. Besides with the low cost of this title why not give it a whirl?