Baten Kaitos Origins

Eternal Wings' follow-up - Baten Kaitos Origins, is a much more accomplished version of the same idea. This prequel retained little of the debut's lethargy, with welcome adjustments to movement (by introducing a sprint button), menus (by condensing and speeding up deckbuilding) and - last but not least, to its battle system. More fluid but also more linear, the main strength of this revamped combat lies in the constant decision-making involved, requiring frequent, nimble hand management via discarding, playing or chaining cards according to one's rapidly evolving strategy. Although much less 'RPG' than before, and certainly less dependent on elements, it evokes the streamlined pace (if not the speed) of 90s ATB systems. Regular battles are intense and demanding, with precious little room to breathe, but its relentless nature is best epitomized by their hectic and challenging - if occasionally painful boss fights. At the same time, a turn-order bar (replacing the party-to-party phases of old) and new mechanics such as MP bursts and relay attacks further broaden their hasty-yet-brainy gameplay. After beginning as a more or less randomly arranged battle menu, Baten Kaitos' combat radically transformed into one of the most electrifying in JRPG history.

Monolith Soft's passion for indulgent, drawn-out cutscenes and gimmicky dungeons - however, is no less annoying here. Despite this, their story succeeds in mixing the political intrigue of the first with themes of industrialization and a dual-narrative, that alternates between two different stories and eras. In both cases, its finer moments highlight their skills at sculpting compelling scenarios, memorable quips, funny side quests, and above all a great playable cast, whose personalities (from clownish to snarky) and chemistry dominate the show from start to finish.

The leap in quality is impressive enough, but Origins is more than a simple refinement: It's a formidable, hilarious and exciting mid-00s milestone that recast their turn-based, TCG/RPG crossbreed as a puzzle-action game in disguise.