Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: Spirit Caller brings together the collection-oriented card game with the potential of the digital realm and ends up with mostly disappointing results. Mixing a heavy Yu-Gi-Oh! influence and traditional video game mechanics, the end result yields a game that's ultimately playable, but only appeals to established Yu-Gi-Oh! followers.

At its core, Yu-Gi-Oh! requires a careful mix of skill, strategy and luck. Players begin each match with a hand full of random selections from their deck, with the ability to draw one additional card every turn. From there, opposing players face off, first deploying their cards and summoning any monsters, then pitting them against one another. Attack and defense numbers for each monster relate their ability to dole out and absorb assaults, with the larger numbers always coming out on top. Players without any monsters on the field leave themselves wide open to attack, but a variety of spells and traps can hold off an assault for a round or two. These spells and traps represent the deeper portion of Yu-Gi-Oh's strategy, which often allows for the removal of an opponent's monster or nullifying an attack and it's awfully handy when used properly. The first player to whittle down an opponent's overall health wins.

Dueling only showcases half of the experience, with card collection and deck customization also playing pivotal roles. In adding these aspects, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: Spirit Caller uses a traditional role-playing set up -- players earn money and experience points from battling the opponents they find while exploring the island. There is even a handy store supplying the latest expansion packs. Both touch screen and traditional controls permit players the freedom to tackle every aspect of the game using their preferred control method with neither offering a clear advantage over the other.

Unfortunately, poor execution leaves Spirit Caller struggling. In particular, those new to Yu-Gi-Oh! will be especially confused, as the game outlines its rules in a list of textbook-esque documents tucked away in the Duel Academy's reference library. However informative, even the most dedicated players will find themselves frustrated as they attempt to decode the often-obtuse language without any visual reference. An interactive tutorial, perhaps disguised as an optional review session within the game's context, would have greatly expanded its appeal.

Though a story-heavy introduction guides players through the beginning moments, the game leaves players literally wandering around the island without any sort of direction. Without anything else to do, it soon becomes clear that players must search out characters using in-game radar to make them appear on the map. Many initially decline to battle. However, with the discovery of a willing opponent, it forces players into a duel without choice. Overly simplistic graphics and animations disappoint within the context of battle, the odd mixture of polygons and pixels lacking a unified style, the battle between monsters often little more than two images appearing side-by-side before one disappears. Plot events only occur at certain locations on the island at specific points of the day, leaving progression unclear and seemingly random at times. As a result, the numerous pushover battles quickly grow tiresome after repeated attempts to proceed.

Luckily, multiplayer alleviates many of the problems the single player quest has. Here, gamers face off against each other either locally or via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which provides a good number of criteria in seeking out potential challengers. Apart from a brief delay between performing an action and the actual execution thereof, the inability to trade cards and chat with others highlights the only other issues with Spirit Caller's online play.

Of course, most of the above won't matter to Yu-Gi-Oh! enthusiasts. With over 1400 cards on the cartridge, Spirit Caller's $30 price point pales in comparison to the hundreds of dollars it would take to acquire that number in real life. Throw in a nearly endless supply of virtual opponents, automatic rule enforcement and the possibilities of online play and many of the problems associated with the physical card game go out the window. Unfortunately, poor design of the game itself doesn't translate to an experience that appeals much outside of the Yu-Gi-Oh! mindset, but dedicated fans should have no major qualms with Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: Spirit Caller.

Related Links:

Yu-Gi-Oh Official Site

Konami

Nintendo DS

Our Final ScoreMediocre

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