This is another one of my favorite video games of all time as well as favorite action RPGs. Yeah, this game utilizes the same format as "Zelda 2: Adventures of Link" once again making this sort of a clone game. But as I said nothing wrong with that as long as it's fun and stands on its own which this game does and part of why it's became a cult gem as time went on.
The plotline is basic as it's the typical fantasy plot of liberating a land or civilization from an evil force. Yeah, basic stuff but like with most action RPGs of yesteryear it's not so much the plotline it's concerned with but more the setting and presentation along with functional gameplay.
The gameplay is solid as is the usual motions like in "Zelda 2" of jumping and attacking, going forward and back. It's immersive as you go and fight from one place to another in order to get something or achieve your goal. And like in any RPG things develop as you go on, from your skills, fighting for enough currency to get what you need for your journey like a sword and fire balls which are cool.
Though make sure you watch the gauges as the fire balls have a magic gauge that will drain when in use; so don't waste your shots and also make use to have potions handy for emergency refueling as the next town may 'be further away.
Music is decent which I'll admit is one weak point of the game as it's not the kind I would replay much nor do I feel it completely fits the game; not to say the tracks are bad but for a game like this it could be better in my book.
All of this is nothing new but what makes this game stand out for me is as I said the settings and presentation. I really like the fantasy civilization it takes place in, just the concept of a giant tree that is big enough to create whole civilizations that are stacked on top of each other. It makes sense as Elves are creatures attuned with nature and so they would build and live in a city close to their roots literally.
But I like this game is a dark fantasy, sort of like in the same vein as "Ghouls and Ghosts" and "Castle Vania". From the coloring and animation I really like how we see the look of darkness as well as some rust, decay and grit just giving the fantasy world a feeling of fascination but also danger everywhere you walk and go. From the next section you go, you know there will be another monster zeroing in on you to kill you, unless you kill it or them first.
Really like the designs of the monster there are some memorable uglies. From a giant gargoyle creature, mushroom men, bigfoots, a snake creature that was obviously inspired by the Xenomorph from the movie "Alien" in the snake stage. And a lot of other creepy crawlers that I don't want to give a way as you have to see them for yourself. Which makes the game all the more satisfying just to see what other surprises await and uncover.
"Faxanadu" is a vintage action RPG worth climbing toward.
Rating: 4 stars
