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[Ra1den]

I consider the original Boktai to be one of the best Zelda style games ever made. The level design and gameplay systems are superb. I loved using MGS style stealth going through the dungeons. Mixing Zelda with MGS was brilliant. The sunlight thing was fun as well.

Boktai 2 was pretty good, but the dungeons were not as fun to go through, and it was just weaker any way you look at it.

Same story with Boktai 3(playable in English via a translation patch). It just couldn't match the brilliance of the original.

And then Lunar Knights came, which I felt was really, really bad. It was just walk down one poorly designed area after another slashing some enemies. They removed the elements that made the game fun--namely fun exploration and stealth.

So basically the series went downhill after the first. But damn, is the original good. Plus the ost is a masterpiece by none other than Norihiko Hibino, and I think it is some of his finest work. Each boss had a unique theme, and they were top-notch.

I wouldn't mind a little something to scratch my Boktai itch. What are my options, other than Zelda?

 

[The Return of]

Oh so Lunar Knight is really really bad in comparison to Boktai? Whew, I played about 4 hours of Lunar Knights and really disliked it a lot. It just didn't feel special at all to me. It honestly pulled me away from trying the Boktai games.

Going to try find Boktai then.

 

[Randam_Hajile]

I really liked Boktai, but could never finish it. The sunlight mechanic was just such a pain in the ass.

Lunar Nights was fun. Not amazing, but I'd play it again.

 

[Ra1den]

Oh so Lunar Knight is really really bad in comparison to Boktai? Whew, I played about 4 hours of Lunar Knights and really disliked it a lot. It just didn't feel special at all to me. It honestly pulled me away from trying the Boktai games.

Going to try find Boktai then.

Yeah, Lunar Knights isn't even anywhere near as good as Boktai 3, which itself is nowhere near as good as the original Boktai.

 

[reminder]

Loved the idea, but it was unplayable in the sun thanks to the screen of the GBA.

 

[Ra1den]

Loved the idea, but it was unplayable in the sun thanks to the screen of the GBA.

You only really needed sunlight when purifying, and you could get through that really quick with good sunlight. I honestly feel the inconvenience was worth it for the novelty. Also, I seem to recall the GBA screen being easy to see in strong light, unlike the DS.

 

[The Return of]

You only really needed sunlight when purifying, and you could get through that really quick with good sunlight. I honestly feel the inconvenience was worth it for the novelty. Also, I seem to recall the GBA screen being easy to see in strong light, unlike the DS.

maybe GBA SP but the original? nahhhh, it was my main reason for upgrading to SP.

 

[randomwab]

Boktai on a GBMicro is amazing. Pity about the whole sun aspect of it. Living in a country with consistently shit weather all year round doesn't help.

 

[Ra1den]

maybe GBA SP but the original? nahhhh, it was my main reason for upgrading to SP.

hmm I'll need to check it out when I get home. I only had the original GBA and I don't ever remember having a problem seeing the screen in the light.

 

[Randam_Hajile]

I just don't like games that dictate when I can or can't play them. Half the time I needed sunlight, I'd go outside and it was raining or it was the middle of the night. Sad too, because I really enjoyed the gameplay and the concept was cool.

 

[diddles]

i finished boktai, and did enjoy it, but the sun meter was a piece of shit. I would have to take it out in the direct southern california midday sun to get the meter to register over 50%, and i couldn't see anything on the screen with all the reflection. it really was rather broken.

 

[A Black Falcon]

The concept and gameplay seemed interesting, but the light sensor made it an unplayable disaster. I bought the game used at some point during the GBA's life, but after repeated failed attempts to make the light sensor actually function, I gave up on the thing. It just doesn't work, at all. I play handheld games inside, not outdoors, and it's not like there's often enough sunlight for the thing to pick anything up anyway! So, I was never able to beat even the first level. Disappointing, but unbelievably badly designed. I mean, a light sensor, seriously?

 

[Gospel]

Boktai 2 is on the same level of bad-ness as Lunar Knights. I don't know who thought it was a good idea to rob you of the Gun del Sol until like the last 4th of the game. In doing so, they also ended up gimping the stealth aspect from the first one. I also missed my customizable frames and lenses.

Haven't played the 3rd one tho.

I wouldn't mind a little something to scratch my Boktai itch. What are my options, other than Zelda?

That's a good question. You know, I think maybe you're probably better off trying one of the 2d Metal Gears or the GBC Metal Gear Solid for a Boktai fix since it's the closest game of it's kind. They are basically cousins.

 

[storafötter]

Boktai was one of my favourite GBA games so I agree with this thread title. However I disagree that Lunar Knights was trash as I found it still fun but action oriented (space sections were terrible though). A lot of the stealth from the first game wasn't all that amazing honestly and trying to shoot your way through the normal enemies was clunky. Lunar knights made disposing enemies much easier with the inclusion of meele weapons, but I will agree that it was a weak game in comparison.
I agree though that using stealth through the levels was more enjoyable than facing those generic enemies after being discovered. I really liked the bosses and exploring the areas the most.
Overall the first game had a lot more going for it like atmosphere, soundtrack (my favourite on the gba), story, difficulty, level design, the sun mechanics and purification.

hmm I'll need to check it out when I get home. I only had the original GBA and I don't ever remember having a problem seeing the screen in the light.

I agree with you there the sun helped me see the screen more. Funny enough I played this game (imported from the US) during October/November which is when sun goes down in Norway around 2-3 pm. I could still easily charged the game by pointing a sun ray into the solar panel in the morning through the window. Since I played by a window I didn't have to go outside.

Eventually I couldn't finish the game until March/Spring next year since there was not enough sun. I think I enjoyed the game mostly due to the sun gimmick.

 

[Gospel]

I just don't like games that dictate when I can or can't play them. Half the time I needed sunlight, I'd go outside and it was raining or it was the middle of the night. Sad too, because I really enjoyed the gameplay and the concept was cool.

After a certain point in the game, there are these items called Sunny Clogs that you can stock up on that give you temporary sunlight. Since they last for such a long time, I use them whenever I pick up the game for quick playthroughs. That plan falls apart when you're about to purify bosses, though.

Looking back, it's funny to think of how much darker my skin became after first playing boktai. fucking videogame making me go outside in texas-ass sunlight.

 

[White Man]

I liked Boktai, but I live in Seattle. Kinda killed it for me.

 

[The Return of]

After a certain point in the game, there are these items called Sunny Clogs that you can stock up on that give you temporary sunlight. Since they last for such a long time, I use them whenever I pick up the game for quick playthroughs. That plan falls apart when you're about to purify bosses, though.

Looking back, it's funny to think of how much darker my skin became after first playing boktai. fucking videogame making me go outside in texas-ass sunlight.

heh, exactly the same state I lived in when I had a GBA. I actually had to get one of those sun covers for my original gba.

 

[Ra1den]

i finished boktai, and did enjoy it, but the sun meter was a piece of shit. I would have to take it out in the direct southern california midday sun to get the meter to register over 50%, and i couldn't see anything on the screen with all the reflection. it really was rather broken.

Strange, I live in Minnesota and was able to max out or nearly max out my gauge without much problem.

That's a good question. You know, I think maybe you're probably better off trying one of the 2d Metal Gears or the GBC Metal Gear Solid for a Boktai fix since it's the closest game of it's kind. They are basically cousins.

I've played MG1 and MG2, but I've not played Ghost Babel yet. Been meaning to forever, I hear it's really good. I think I will pick that up soon.

 

[Gospel]

heh, exactly the same state I lived in when I had a GBA. I actually had to get one of those sun covers for my original gba.

Man, I wish I had thought of that way back when. It might have helped with that constant overheating you'd get if the game hung out in the sunlight for too long or something.

I've played MG1 and MG2, but I've not played Ghost Babel yet. Been meaning to forever, I hear it's really good. I think I will pick that up soon.

I have great memories of it, for sure. It's been at least a decade since I last played it tho. But when I think of games like Boktai, I can only think of Ghost Babel and the other 2d mg games. The storyline was awesome though. There's a Sabata-like rival character in Ghost Babel that makes things really fun btw.

 

[fernoca]

I remember been really hyped and playing a lot the first one. Usually went to the backyard, early in the morning during weekends and got my "fix". It's the caribbean, so either is sunny or rainy...mostly sunny.

But, lost interest after. Never played the sequel, ignored that a third one was released in Japan and knew that the DS game had "connections" to it; but not much beyond that.

Still nice, have great memories attached to it.

 

[Toadthemushroom]

I *loved* Boktai back on the GBA, can't remember the number of times I played through it to get a better rank at the end but I think it was at least three. The game was so well designed that replays didn't feel boring, though I always dreaded this late-game dungeon with cockatrices everywhere.

It's been well over a decade since I last touched the first Boktai, so I'd love to revisit it. Shame I can't find my cartridge and that used copies are so expensive now.

As for Boktai 2, I mostly agree with OP's sentiment. I enjoyed it when I played it back in 2006 and pretty much 100%'d it (except for the Mega Man crossover stuff), but the proliferation of RPG mechanics and stat levelling really took more away from the game than it added. It didn't feel as pure as a stealth or action game.

Lunar Knights was just a disappointment in general. Never really understood this either considering how great the first game was:

Kojima: Boktai dev team lacked “power and wisdom”

I'm guessing he's referring more to the series' sales performance and appeal than quality.

 

[Omegasquash]

This bump.

 

[Thatanas]

Quality bump.

 

[OnPoint]

Thread from 2012... lol

That said, I tried to play this the year it came out. Buffalo isn't exactly the sunniest place so I didn't get very far. Shame, it was cool. I considered buying a UV lamp to play it... but then I realized how crazy that sounds, and also, I didn't want the only tanned part of my body to be my hands.

Interesting concept that was sadly hurt by it's most unique feature.

 

[WarRock]

What the hell, Boktai 2 is far superior to 1. Lunar Knights felt rushed, though the end game dungeon with Sabatta can be pretty fun.

 

[CannonFodder52]

I kinda want to play it, mostly because of Kojima

 

[maxcriden]

Thread from 2012... lol

That said, I tried to play this the year it came out. Buffalo isn't exactly the sunniest place so I didn't get very far. Shame, it was cool. I considered buying a UV lamp to play it... but then I realized how crazy that sounds, and also, I didn't want the only tanned part of my body to be my hands.

Interesting concept that was sadly hurt by it's most unique feature.

Played it as a kid in Buffalo also. I had similar troubles playing it though I do remember what I played of it being pretty fun. I wonder if there's any easier way to play it now.

As to Lunar Knights, I saw some positive chatter regarding the game recently so I picked it up cheap from a generous GAFer and will report back with impressions....