Illusion of Time (SNES)

The Illusion of Time. Is time an Illusion? Time is just a simple term to help us humans understand the motion of life we are going through. Although recently proved that Einstein’s most famous theory is flawed, didn’t we always hope that is was anyway? The fact that the theory of relativity isn’t always true brings us hope that one day we might crack time travel. Indeed, we are travelling through time right now just at the rate that we are used to. ...
...Einstein again, what is the Illusion of time about?

Set in different times in history, with the time line merged you might say, The Illusion of Time is an RPG set in almost every era of mankind. Although you don’t travel through time in the game, it has taken some of the most interesting parts of history and brought them to the same time.

Once the Nintendo and Enix logos have disappeared a drum roll begins. The Earth ... more

The Illusion of Time. Is time an Illusion? Time is just a simple term to help us humans understand the motion of life we are going through. Although recently proved that Einstein’s most famous theory is flawed, didn’t we always hope that is was anyway? The fact that the theory of relativity isn’t always true brings us hope that one day we might crack time travel. Indeed, we are travelling through time right now just at the rate that we are used to. Trees in their own perception are travelling through time at a much faster rate, which is why they appear to move and grow very slowly to us. So, now I’ve just upset Mr Einstein again, what is the Illusion of time about?

Set in different times in history, with the time line merged you might say, The Illusion of Time is an RPG set in almost every era of mankind. Although you don’t travel through time in the game, it has taken some of the most interesting parts of history and brought them to the same time.

Once the Nintendo and Enix logos have disappeared a drum roll begins. The Earth appears and the Illusion of Time logo appears upon it. Then a truly remarkable piece of music begins to play which, if you have good speakers leaves a good feeling inside you. The story then rolls on and explains some of history for us. The game plays as any normal RPG, you have certain things to do and some people may join you along the way, but it is no way linear and you will often find yourself coming and going to complete the tasks.

The map which you travel across shows the earth as it was several million years ago with the earth as 5 large land masses. There are 22 Different places to visit, with some of them having a real historical value and it is very clever how the game designers incorporated them into the game. The Insert that comes with the game features the map and descriptions of 7 of the destinations of the game. These include all the relevant information of where in history the destinations come from. A list of the 7 important places is as follows:

Inca Ruins
Nazca
Mu
Great Wall
Angkor Wat
Pyramid
Tower of Babel

Along your journey you pick up several items, the most useless of which is a red jewel. However, if you collect 50 of them (and there are only 50 in the entire game) you will be whisked away to a mysterious place…

Game play is excellent, as is the playability and addictiveness. The music is above standards and is sweet and dramatic when needs be. The game has a very strong plot to it, and if you follow it along willingly there are even places when you cry (Believe me, it’s very hard to make me cry but I did!). It is a very long game, but it is worth every second. The Graphics are to a very high standard, as is everything else.
After a few hours of controlling young Will, you’ll come back every day until the game is completed, but even so it’ll take you a good few months playing to find every little secret the game has to offer. It’s also one of those games that once it’s over you liked it so much, you’ll play it again. The instruction manual is 88 pages long, but don’t despair because 62 of those are the guide. The guide is necessary, because there are places when you will become hopelessly stuck but once you have read about it, it becomes blatantly obvious!

People who claim that Zelda is the best game on the SNES have not played the Illusion of Time. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking Zelda, it’s just the Illusion of Time is so amazing I could never do it justice in a review.
The game was made in 1993 by Enix and Nintendo and is suitable at all ages. The back of the box claims that there are 60 hours of gameplay, but that is defiantly for people who are a master at this sort of thing. I would defiantly say it would take much longer than that the first time you play it.

If you have a SNES, find this game on ebay and buy it. As you can no longer buy the game in shops, it may be expensive due to its brilliance and rarity but it is worth every penny. If you’re from America it was released as Illusion of Gaia so go buy it. If you don’t have a SNES but want to try it, I would defiantly suggest you download this game for a SNES emulator. Remember, you may only keep a ROM for 24 hours unless you own the original which means you’ll never complete the game. But then, I won’t tell if you don’t… 

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