As much as I personally enjoyed Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hands, I thought I’d point out the game’s biggest flaw right now. Unfortunately, Konami installed a solar sensor into the cartridge that takes in actual solar power to charge up the Gun del Sol (the protagonists main weapon). As original this feature is, it but has the potential to be a big problem - depending on where you live and the average amount of sunshine you receive, it could be virtually impossible to actually play Boktai. Good luck Alaska.

Breakdown

The game’s main character is a vampire hunter named Django whose father was killed by another vampire named Count a few years back. Django has inherited his fathers powers with the Gun del Sol weapon. Totenko, the sun's guardian, follows Django through the quest to find Count and his Immortal henchmen that killed his father. Django goes through various Immortal and Undead dungeons during the adventure to destroy the forces that are taking over the world. Also in his path is a rival who looks much like him and carries the Gun del Hell, which is a dark alternative to the Gun del Sol.

Sure, the story isn't great but the best thing about this game (other than sitting in the sunlight for hours at a time) is the graphics. Hideo Kojima and Konami really put a TON of effort into making the prettiest graphics possible on the GBA. Seen from an isometric view there is a lot of detail plus the overworld and dungeon areas are amazingly colorful and well crafted - reminiscent of a watercolor painting. Weather effects like rain, snow, and wind are all beautifully rendered on screen.

Boktai plays very well outside of the initial solar power flaw. Controlling Django is butter smooth, the combat methods are easily adapted and stealth plays a huge part in competing the game without rushing into enemies. Instead, you can lean on walls and make distractions to lead them into an ambush. The Gun del Sol is a great versatile weapon with its many attachments including Frames, Lenses, and Grenades.

Although the solar power aspect can be pretty annoying at times Boktai is worth your time to pick it up, get outside, and find a sunny spot to play the game for a while. Even with its minor flaws, it is one of the better Game Boy Advance titles out there.

Posted: October 6, 2003