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(Also known as "Kaijuu no Shima: Amazing Island") Amazing Island is a competition-driven, magical monster simulation game that takes place on a fantastic island in another world. The "Black Evil" has taken over this lush and colorful land and has captured the once happy natives -- the Maboo tribe. Players have the ability to defeat the "Black Evil," take back the land and return it to the Maboo tribe. To do so, gamers use their imagination to create their own monster - from nearly an infinite number of possibilities - and enter it in a series of competitions involving timing, speed and head-to-head battles. The victor wins magical orbs that hold the power of the island. [Sega]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 80
GamePro
The main problem with Amazing Island is that in Story mode, there's too much downtime in between courses. Still, it's good to see a game that celebrates creation rather than destruction and puts playful competition above vomitous gore. [Sept 2004, p.85]
 74
TotalGames.net
Despite the fantastic Monster Editing mode and all the game's charm, it's not the exactly the height of originality and can be completed way too easily. Still, whilst the game may not be amazing, it's pretty darn good.
73
Game Informer
The creatures you make aren't always what you mean to, some of the minigames are beyond tedious, the graphics are a little primary color-happy, and the rewards (outside of new stuff for your monsters) are surprisingly uninspired. [Sept 2004, p.112]
71
GameZone
The game is creation driven and making new goofy monsters will appeal to most and the sport like games will please those parents who want a less violent title for their young children.
70
Next Level Gaming
Graphics are not very great though, and coming from Sega I was very disappointed. Also I wish that you could have been able to do more as well in terms of gameplay.
70
Nintendojo
Sorely lacking some solid gameplay elements. Although the game is targeted at a younger audience, it’s still a shame to see so much of the game’s potential get lost in a sea of only a handful of mini-games.
68
Weekly Famitsu
7 / 7 / 7 / 6 - 27 [Vol 787]
67
IGN
Amazing Island could have used a little more depth. True, it’s technically a kid’s game, but even younger gamers will expect a little more.
65
GameSpot
Sega is gunning for the Pokemon/Yu-Gi-Oh! set with Amazing Island, but the game lacks the gameplay depth that makes Pokemon a guilty pleasure for older gamers and the strong branding that makes Yu-Gi-Oh! so ubiquitous with the lunchbox-and-backpack crowd.
65
NintendoWorldReport
A tale of two games. One is a set of button-smashing mini-games with questionable entertainment value. The other is one of the greatest creative tools ever released for consoles. The problem is, you have to play a lot of the former to really experience the latter.
65
Kombo
The game would be a lot better if there was a wider variety of mini-games and a few four player battle mini-games. However, as it is, there are 30 mini-games and only about 15 are genuinely unique.
65
Nintendo Insider
Amazing Island has good graphics and sound, but the gameplay, with its mini-games, is too repetitive... Of course, the lack of multiplayer hurts this game the most.
60
Nintendo Power
Gameplay is tuned for gamers of all skill levels. [Oct 2004, p.124]
60
GMR Magazine
While the monster creation is excellent, the minigames feel more rudimentary. [Sept 2004, p.93]
50
Cheat Code Central
Monster making is the fundamental novelty attributed to Amazing Island. Creating monsters of your own design is fun but the gameplay is not up to the challenge of eclipsing this designing process.
47
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Remind me - what exactly is it about frantic, feverish, and somewhat random button-pressing that's...fun? 'Cause these minigames just aren't. [Oct 2004, p.114]
42
Play Magazine
I kept waiting for a real adventure to unfold, but it never materialized. [Sept 2004, p.73]
40
Edge Magazine
It’s a promising set-up, but one that’s flawed at nearly every level... You’re left with the overwhelming sensation of a Christmas present with no batteries to go in it. [Nov 2004, p.111]
40
G4 TV
Amazing Island is the sort of game that lies tantalizingly close to the edge of coolness, yet remains firmly on the side of mediocrity.
33
Game Revolution
Unfortunately, the poorly designed mini-games and boring gameplay takes most of the joy out of creation, effectively dropping this fantasy land into the shallow end of the kiddie pool.
33
Gaming Age
It's a cute game, with monsters that would make excellent stuffed animals, but the execution is too childlike for adults and not intuitive enough for children.
20
NTSC-uk
Feels like the product of a completely different publisher; the sort of output you would expect from a desperate company, eager to cash in on current gaming trends. For now, Amazing Island remains a failed experiment.
Andrew T. gave it a10: Tura A. gave it a7: Joseph T. gave it a 9: |
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