Baten Kaitos Origins GameCube
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release Date: Sep 25, 2006
  • Also On: DS
Baten Kaitos Origins Image
Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: Baten Kaitos Origins takes place 20 years before the first Baten Kaitos game. It explains how the diabolical Emperor Geldoblame rose to power, and it also fills in many details about the heroes from the first title. In addition, players will learn about the origins of the world itself and why the Lost Ocean is returning. The hero, a blue-haired young man named Sagi, was sent to assassinate the Emperor but found the job had been done for him. Blamed for the death, he's now on the run with two friends - a robot named Guillo and a young woman named Milly. In the initial stages, the player's party will progress in a linear fashion, moving from one area to the next along a set path. After playing the game for a few hours, players will acquire a ship that lets them visit areas in the order of their choosing, allowing them to either pursue optional side quests or blast through the main mission as they see fit. Unlike traditional RPGs, where characters gain levels in categories such as strength and agility, the majority of leveling-up occurs by procuring better Magnus cards. There are more than 600 different Magnus cards in Baten Kaitos Origins, some of which have truly fantastical properties. Players can acquire cards in many different ways, including trading, buying, winning as spoils of war or by creating them themselves.… Collapse

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. Nintendojo
    91
    With a lengthy 60-70 hours of gameplay, Origins is more than worth its value in longevity. Highly recommended.
  2. IGN
    83
    The adventure is just as difficult, has a better overall story, and delivers more gameplay than the original with 60+ hours of play (factoring in every sub-mission). Battles require serious strategy with a hint of luck, and the deck customization – while cut back a bit from the original game – is deep and involving.
  3. Gamer 2.0
    74
    The world of Baten Kaitos is a place of luscious and beautiful color that anybody would want to visit in a fairy tale. But is that enough? If you've played the first game, you're bound to be disappointed with the way the first half of this title turns out.
  4. Game Revolution
    42
    Even though it pushes a new type of battle system, a huge step for any RPG, Baten Kaitos Origins reshuffles the series' deck and comes up with a hand that I wouldn't bet on.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. TiagoG.
    10
    Very good game!
  2. J.A.
    8
    What a tough game to score. Origins is an improvement in many ways - great characters, far superior voice acting, better story, and elements to its card battle system that can definitely be counted as improvements. However, there are other ways that the game holds itself back from being truly great. The use of only one deck for all three characters is very akward, I never got used to it throughout the game, even though I liked some of the differences to the system itself. The locations are mostly reused from the last game, which unfortunately robs the sense of majestic beauty that the first game had because we've already been there before. As for its high difficulty that many critics bring up, I really did not find it to be too difficult, once you get into the groove of the new system and learn how to build a winning deck. There is some level grinding required, but I never had to grind for more than one or two levels, and there are ample enemies all near whatever "boss" you are stuck before to level off of. I felt a "8" was appropriate because not everything new about the game is an improvement, yet it still managed to suck me in like the first did.… Expand
  3. bestbloodyday
    8
    Probably the best RPG in Game Cube. Improves greatly the battle mechanics from first Baten Kaitos, the new system is faster and easier. Aside from that, there are some old scenarios and some new. Generally speaking, this is a great game, with some interesting story. Also, there are multiple tasks to complete that could force you to play for 60+ hours if you want to achieve everything.… Expand
  4. ToddS
    8
    Baten Kaitos Origins, a card-based RPG, is a prequel to Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean. Although it's a prequel, newcomers to the series can jump right in. It improves in almost every way: a much better battle system, better plot, scarier foes, allows the protagonist to fly, much better voice acting, etc. Baten Kaitos Origins should be played for it's 60+ hour length, side modes, great battle system, and satisfying boss battles. Though it's puzzles and dungeons encourage backtracking, which is probably the only major downside, it's worth a try. It's underrated, and probably in bargain bins now, so if you like RPG games, then you should try this game.… Expand

See all 6 User Reviews