(10/10) An Arcade-like Action/Adventure RPG that is simply.....A Masterpeice
Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone is a little-known game that came out in late 2004 both in the United States & Europe. I'm not sure exactly how many copies were made in the U.S. but i do know that this game was a smash hit in Europe & Japan (where it came out half a year later). This game is apparently based on the 'Lord of the Rings: Two Towers' game that was released in 2002, I've never played the two towers nor have ever been a big fan of Lord of the Rings so i cant compare this game to that one I'm basing my review on this game as a single entity and comparing it to the like of 'Devil May Cry's 'God Of War' & 'Way of The Samurai' it destroys all competition in terms of story telling and cinematics and implementing RPG elements. 'Demon Stone' offers a skill learning system that lets you either power your characters up in whatever way you'd like whether it be learning new combos or raising your stats. Each enemy you kill adds to your gold so that means killing lots of baddies can snag you the best armor next time you visit the shop. Each new peice of armor or weapon you wield is shown on the character and in some cases drastically alters your characters appearance (for the better of course). Each level feels as if you, the player are participating a role in a huge high scale big budget movie. I mean, when I first played the game I thought to myself "This is just too awesome" and I figured "Hey its the first level in an action game, It always has to be good to get you hooked." Just like the early 90s arcade games, the first levels were always the best... But not in 'Demon Stone', this game CONSTANTLY gets better and more epic with each passing moment, it never stops impressing you and every level is better than the last.
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To mix up the long segments of 'Dynasty Warriors-like' beat em up action the game has some stealth elements similar to Manhunt where your Drow Elf can actually sneak up on enemies and perform a lethal stealth kill. There's even a part in the game where your given control of a giant golem and you find yourself smashing hundreds of enemies beneath your feet! 
The graphics are terrific, fantastic & magnificent. Each level takes you to a place more beautiful and more wonderful than the last. From a cave lined with marvelous stones that shine like mirrors as you battle hordes of monster inches from a ledge to up high above the mountains where you see mile and miles of gorgeous terrain against a colorful sky. The character models contain a high degree of detail, the monsters look scary smelly and nasty.The animation in this game looks motion captured since it is simply spectacular and fluid, warriors swing the sword heavily, thieves jump about like acrobats and strike fiercely and spell casters look as if they put all they're might into the casting of they're spells. The level designer of this game must have also directed a couple of movies because this game almost feels like it provides the player with an interactive-cinematic experience. Portions of some levels are orchestrated so perfectly that you cant help but be immersed in the world you're fighting in, this turns into actually caring for the game's world. Each level provides non stop jaw dropping moments and really make you feel like a hero in the heat of the moment. |
The music in this game is magnificent! From symphonies to orchestras as you parade down the battle field crushing all goblins, trolls, ogres, and dragons thats stand in your way. Quality through and through both melodic gothic tunes and high quality bass rumble through your sound system as you campaign through the games battle grounds and allow you to be immersed and surrounded in the chaos and flames of combat. The way the sounds of swords clashing mix with the screams and beautiful classical melodies found in this game is enough for an eargasm and I exaggerate in no way, shape or form. |
This game flew under the radar and never received the recognition it deserved for some unknown reason. But one thing I do know is I'm glad i was fortunate enough to discover this hidden gem and the reason i write this review is to help others experience this incredibly epic masterpiece of a game. The game is extremely cheap at the time of writing this review so i suggest you go out and find a copy NOW before people realize how much of a true work of art this game is and start snatching up every copy!
10/16/08 
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