The long wait is over for fans of the Golden Sun series.  The fantasy RPG that began on the Game Boy Advance in 2001 is back with the latest sequel - Golden Sun: Dark Dawn.  After several years of rumors, delays, and a hoax perpetrated by an overly-eager fan of the series back in 2003, the game will be out for the DS in time for Thanksgiving.

The game takes place in the world of Weyward, a planet not unlike our own.  At least, not unlike our own until the advent of circumnavigation.  In short, Weyward is flat.  Literally flat.  Oceans pour off the ends and everything.  On this pancake-like world, all life and events are governed by the four classic elements referred to in the game as Jupiter (air), Mercury (water), Venus (earth), and Mars (fire).  These elements are manipulated by the art of alchemy, a mystical practice which has gradually become virtually extinct.  Only a few individuals in Weyward can manipulate the four elements as a force known as psyenergy.  These “Adepts”, as they are called, specialize in one element or another and are the main characters of the series.  They banded together in the first game to unlock the long-lost secrets of alchemy along with tremendous critical and commercial success for the devs at Camelot Software.

- These guys are serious now -

Golden Sun: The Lost Age was released fairly quickly and picked up where the first game left off, with the characters continuing their quest to unlock the ancient powers of alchemy.  They do so, with varied results.  The sequel did well, with some division among critics and fans as to whether The Lost Age was better than the original.  Then, dark clouds fell over the Golden Sun series.  Only after E3 2010 did fans have a reason to rejoice, only then would their gaming skies clear and reveal the shining return of their beloved Golden Sun.

In this installment, Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, time has advance 30 years in Weyward and all the children from the previous game are now full-blown Adepts.  The return of the Golden Sun in The Lost Age has completely changed the face of Weyward, and now psyenergy vortexes are appearing at random, sucking psyenergy from the environment and Adepts alike.

The game looks pretty terrific, with the traditional bird's eye perspective in the adventure mode and turn-based, Final Fantasy-style combat.  Monsters of all sorts have sprung up since the return of the Golden Sun and will cross the player's path at every step.  The bosses look impressive, ranging from machine-like monsters to elegant sea creatures which look like refugees from Judas Priest and Asia album covers, respectively.  It's the sort of thing that drew gamers to the original games, just stepped-up for the late 2000s.

- Dark Dawn will include a plethora of neat-looking bosses -

The devs at Camelot have their work cut out for them in terms of pleasing fans after such a long absence, but based on gameplay footage and teaser trailers, it seems like Golden Sun: Dark Dawn could be another strong entry in the already popular RPG series.

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