Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hands Review

Developer	Konami
Publisher	Konami
Genre	Action

Today was definitely not a Boktai day. The sky was overcast, the air was chilly and the sun was simply unable to breakthrough. And that is unfortunate seeing as how Boktai is fueled by the light from our life giving sun. But rather than be discouraged by my inability to play Boktai in its intended state, I am actually down right intrigued. Any game that draws from the environment of the real world to influence the game world demands consideration. And while I was busy satiating my curiosity with this unique experiment, I also found that Boktai is a darn good game in its own right.

Gameplay - Boktai is a game about hunting vampires and vanquishing the undead. How many times has that been done before? A hundred? A thousand? A million? Boktai is a game that uses sunlight to manipulate the gameplay experience. How many times has that been done before? Zero. Therein lies the conundrum. It is far too easy to dismiss Boktai. A failed experiment. An off-center Castlevania rip-off. A gimmick with a bothersome need for unadulterated sunlight. But to dismiss Boktai would be tantamount to a slap to the face of the innovative gameplay we desire.

This game isn’t really about getting the kiddies outside to get a nice tan. It’s about challenging our notions of gaming. We say video games are meant for the comfort of our air-conditioned homes. Boktai says that games can be played outdoors while forcing the player to actively seek a location with just the right balance of sun and shade. We say video games exist as a means to detach ourselves from the real world. Boktai says video games can be firmly entrenched in reality by including one of its most fundamental elements, the sun, as an integral component.

The innovative spirit of Boktai is unsurprising since it is the brainchild of Hideo Kojima. Love him or hate him, he is well regarded for the critical perspective he brings to the world of video games. Boktai ostensibly serves as the archetype for the sort of games Kojima has wished to develop outside of the shadow of Metal Gear Solid. That being said, it also includes many familiar elements such as stealth, intelligent level design and a wacky sense of humor.

The sun sensor is where it all begins. The sensor peaks ever so slightly beyond the edge of the Gameboy Advance and does an admirable job. But due to the compact nature of a GBA cartridge, the sensor is inordinately tiny. This isn't so much of a problem with the original Gameboy Advance since the sensor sits above the handheld. On the SP, it can be a problem since the sensor is positioned below the handheld. Often times you'll have to hold the SP in awkward positions just to get direct sunlight to it. Also, your hands can and will get in the way of the sensor, thereby cutting it off from the one thing it needs. This isn't enough to make the game unplayable but it is a small nuisance that’s worth noting.

Spaghetti Western

Leave it to the mind of Hideo Kojima to include all sorts of understated references to outside influences in his games, both well known and obscure. Boktai is no exception. The main character Django derives his name from a popular Spaghetti Western, aptly named Django, which was produced in Italy in 1966. In the film, Django was a lone gunman who always dragged a coffin behind him. The violent themes of the film were so controversial that it was banned in Britain and censored in the United States. The movie was enormously popular and has become a cult classic in both Europe and the United States. While Django spawned only one official sequel, dozens of unofficial sequels have been produced over the years. The actor who starred in the film, Franco Nero, became so endeared as the character Django that almost every other movie he starred in contained some reference to the film. Django was truly a trend setting film that has served as inspiration to many of today's filmmakers such as Quentin Tarentino. You can pick up this movie at Amazon as long as you don't mind reading subtitles.

Don't fret though. For the most part the sun sensor works quite well. The sunlight that is collected recharges the Gun del Sol, the legendary weapon used to subjugate the many enemies in the game. Obviously, the more intense the sunlight the faster the gun will recharge. Sunlight also has the effect of weakening the enemies you come across. On the flip side of the coin, too much sunlight can cause the Gun del Sol to overheat, rendering it useless until you find some shade to allow it to cool off. The key to unhindered play is to find a location with just the right balance of sun and shade.

For the majority of the game you can actually play without any sunlight, although admittedly it isn't as quite as satisfying. Sunlight can be stored in solar stations for use when daylight isn't available. You can also deposit sunlight into a something like a bank that accrues interest over time. This feature makes the game more convenient to play in the dead of night or during bad weather. Just be sure to use the light wisely since access to the solar stations is limited.

There are a few points where you absolutely must have available daylight to continue. At the end of the major dungeons of the game you'll encounter an Immortal. After defeating the Immortal, you must drag their coffins to what is known as the Pile Driver. The Pile Driver will vanquish the Immortal once and for all, but it can only be triggered by sunlight. Yes, you will need some daylight to spare if you want to continue on your journey. Be patient and don't try to cheat with a flashlight or any other type of artificial light. That tiny sensor will only work with the power of the sun. And it'll probably laugh at your pathetic attempt.

Aside from shooting away with blasts of light, the game also encourages the use of stealth tactics. You can crawl along walls, tap on walls to distract the enemy or just wait for the right moment to sneak past them. In this aspect the game functions in a similar manner to the Gameboy Color version of Metal Gear Solid that was released a few years back. In another reference to Metal Gear, the exclamation points appear over the head of enemies when alerted to your presence. Rarely is it absolutely necessary to utilize stealth tactics but you'll probably find yourself using them quite regularly.

The overall level design is exceptional. Although the puzzles consist largely of mundane tasks such as block and switch pushing, they are well integrated into the dungeons and aren't as tedious as in most games of this nature. And once you've defeated the Immortal and carry the coffin back to the Pile Driver, the whole dynamic of the dungeon changes and with it comes a new set of challenges. You cannot fire the gun del Sol or use items whiles dragging the coffin but you can release it when the situation requires. Just don't stay away too long as the coffin eventually takes a life of its own and begins crawling back to its lair. Players must balance puzzle solving, eliminating or avoiding enemies all together as well as figuring out exactly how to get the coffin to the Pile Driver.

Graphics – Boktai will lead you to a range of locales including graveyards, mansions, dungeons, ice covered mountains and even a volcano. That might not seem exceptional since you've undoubtedly seen these locations countless times before, in Konami's own Castlevania for instance. But each setting is beautifully illustrated and chock full of vivid colors. The game uses an isometric viewpoint that goes unexpectedly well with this type of game, both in graphics and in gameplay. There is even a built in realtime clock in the cartridge that allows for changes in the environment from day to night.

The character design is great too. Django, the game's central character, looks great doing just about anything, from running to crawling along walls to scorching the undead with his Gun del Sol. He even has a cool looking red scarf that trails to and fro behind him as he runs. The Immortals are all fantastic looking, drawing their inspiration from some of the classic undead villains of legend. The regular enemies you'll come across look rather uninspired though, as most of them are simple palette swaps of one another. Even Django's nemesis in the game, Sabata, is a palette swap but as you advance further in the game this actually seems fitting.

Sound – This is one department where I have always been critical of the Gameboy Advance. So I was astonished to realize that I have absolutely no complaints about the soundtrack and sound effects in Boktai. The music is pretty simple but on occasion it does a great job of setting the mood in particular points in the game. I wouldn't go so far as to call the soundtrack a classic but there were also no points in the game that left me cringing while hastily turning the volume off. As far as the GBA is concerned, that is a plus in my book. The sound effects include some well-done voice samples. It is amusing to hear Django yell out "Taiyoh" when he recharges the Gun del Sol or to hear Sabata mock you with a laugh.

Overall Value - I applaud Konami and Hideo Kojima for taking a chance with Boktai. It was certainly a risky venture to, in many ways, restrict the game by the inclusion of the sun sensor. Taking risks is something we don't say a whole lot anymore about the video game industry. Although I don't foresee a future where all video games are influenced by forces of nature, I do hope that this little game encourages future developers to think outside the box.

Boktai is thoroughly enjoyable on its own, but there is something very satisfying about finding a warm spot outdoors and annihilating vampires with the power of the sun. Give this game a chance; it is an entirely unique experience. Just heed this warning: what the sun giveth, the darkness of night taketh away.

Review by Erick Kelsen