Mean Machines picked up on Mystaria months ago when it was named Riglord Saga for Japan. What appeared to be an impressive RPG was rendered incomprehensible at that stage by the Japanese characters. As plot is fundamental to the game, and playing it involves accessing a large range of text menus, it was an untouchable import.

However, we now embrace Sega's prompt translation, accomplished off the back of the game's quality, and the popularity of the Shining Force titles on Megarive, which feature much the same idea in basic gameplay. There's no story connection with Shining Force. Mystaria introduces the province of Queensland, a peace-loving state, gambolling creatures, etc. Now it's under the occupation of Lord Bane, a demonic sorceror who appears to have its much-loved Queen under his spell. You, the dashing young prince, are out to assemble a band of twelve warriors that will allow you to challenge Bane's even hold over Queensland.

The first isometric RPG for the Saturn, owing much in gameplay terms to Shining Force on Megadrive.

Assemble the twelve warriors required to rid Queensland of the curse of Lord Bane.

In time-honoured fashion, you visit towns and villages to learn information, stock up on weapons and items and trade. Mystaria's town sequences are shown from yet another graphic perspective. Visiting these is vital to unravelling the game plot.

To Mystaria's defining feature: the isometric perspective. Each of the battle areas are displayed in virtual fashion, and offer various viewing angles, plus the option to view 'through the eyes' of any character in the game. That particular option is no use for making tactical decisions, but the view which places a grid over the landscape, denoting distance and elevation, is.

Mystaria is notable for giving you more freedom than many other RPGs. Once in Queensland, you are free to travel the paths on the map and visit sites, towns, mountains and forests in the order you choose. Generally, the further you travel, the stiffer the opposition.

Mystaria, being the first true RPG on the Saturn, fills a significant gap. More importantly, it's an accomplished and polished title that should satisfy the small but demanding band of gamesplayers who live and breathe this kind of game, with enough locations, characters, spells and surprises to sustain extended periods of play.

The plot is nothing original, but the slickness of the menu systems and the incredible depth of the game counter this. The game is massive, even by the standards of Japanese RPGs, and the extent to which characters develop is astonishing - eventually attaining a range of 20 or more attacks.

The attacking monsters show a similar variety. Graphically, the isometric system often makes the game look horribly blocky, though seeing the realtime attacks is satisfying. A cursory play doesn't do the game justice - it's actually superior to the Megadrive classic Shining Force.

I have to say that I agree with Gus on this one. Having also been a great fan of the Shining Force series, the prospect of a similar type of game really appealed to me and even though this is the first RPG to appear on the Saturn, it has set a tough standard for the others to follow.

The game starts at a bit of a slow pace, but when you actually play for more than just a few minutes, the amount of attacks your own characters can do grows and grows until you're pulling off the full range of spells.

And because the game itself is so big you get plenty of opportunity to use them. Sometimes, however, the perspective leaves a lot to be desired in the fight sequences, with close ups becoming a bit grainy. However, if you want sheer depth, you'll love this.

Graphics 76%
P. Novel perspective that can be manipulated in real time. Some excellent spell effects.
N. Blocky graphics at close range spoil the effect.

Animation 77%
P. Used to bring the tactical techniques to life.
N. Not much of it in the non battle phases.

Music 75%
P. Some good tunes generated by the Saturn in real time.
N. Tunes are short and tend to repeat too often.

Effects 83%
P. Good range of exotic sound effects for the magical attacks.

Playability 88%
P. Well-designed menu-driven gameplay, and a well-balanced challenge from the battle sequences.
N. Some battle episodes go on too long.

Lastability 95%
P. The range of upgrading possibilities and weapons is vast. You gain an affinity with the characters and an interest in the plot.

Overall 90%
Mystaria is, and will be for some time, the natural choice for RPG gamers on the Saturn. An excellent effort.