Patrick's Web Site- Skies of Arcadia for Dreamcast:

Let me start off by saying this game was selected to be RPG Game of the Year (2000), outscoring Grandia 2 and Final Fantasy 9. It is an incredible experience because strategy is a big part of Skies. You learn moves by consuming moonberries, which you earn from battle. You learn magic from magic experience, which can be controlled by selecting the color of your weapon. Every boss and creature is of a certain color, which all have weaknesses, which are explained in the manual in the worst possible way.

Character development is a big part in the game. EVERYONE develops, including nearly a hundred non-playable characters. Except for Aika, Vyse's best friend and ally. You start off the game by helping steal a ship of the evil Vulcan Empire. The Admiral, Alfonso, is perfectly loyal yet unqualified, and the Vice Captain (get your ranks right Sega!) is a much better leader. The Blue Rogues, led by Vyse's father, secure the ship and Vyse rescues a mysterious foreigner Fina.

Oher cool attributes of Skies include the Swashbuckler rating, which increases the chance of a Critical Hit. You also increase the stats of Fina's weapon-creature Cupil by feeding him Chams, which are found in many places. The turn-based combat system is steller, where Normal Attacks can be countered with Counter Attack (half-strength), Critical Hits (double strength) can be used instead of Normal Attacks at the choice of the computer. The most enjoyable part of Skies are the gorgeous ship battles. Special Attacks (cannons and torps, among other things) require spirit, just like in the more common regular battles. Spirit is the entire party's amount of special "fuel" which starts off the same in each battle. Magic uses spirit, and each character has a certain number of magic points which decreases with usage and does not go up.

Everything looks great, like Vyse actually breathing ala NFL2K in the ice area. The various skills are incredible, and the numerous magical attacks are also beautiful. Add in the wealth of detail (you can actually see weapons and other equipables) and you have a nearly perfect game.

Graphics: 10 Among the greatest of RPGs because of the incredible attention to detail that defines Sega.

Gameplay: 9.5 Random battles occur about every 10 seconds, you can save at any time in the air (which is about 70% of the time), and dungeons are very large and puzzling.

Replay Value: 8.5 Downloadable upgrades add plenty, everything is great, though battles occur too much.

Music/Sound: 9 Only battle voices and grunts, but the battle sounds and spectacular music balances the need for them. Besides, Sega lost enough money in this regard in Shenmue.

Average: 9.3 Room for improvement, but not much. Sequel in the very distant future.