Software:Magical Starsign

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Short description: 2006 video game

Magical Starsign
North American box art
Developer(s)Brownie Brown
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Nobuyuki Inoue
Producer(s)Shinichi Kameoka
Kensuke Tanabe
Artist(s)Kouji Tsuda
Shinichi Kameoka
Writer(s)Nobuyuki Inoue
Composer(s)Tsukasa Masuko
Platform(s)Nintendo DS
Release
  • JP: June 22, 2006
  • NA: October 23, 2006
  • EU: February 9, 2007
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Magical Starsign, originally released in Japan as Script error: The function "nihongo_foot" does not exist. is a role-playing video game for the Nintendo DS developed by Brownie Brown. It is the sequel to the Japan-exclusive Game Boy Advance title, Magical Vacation.[1] It was released in Japan and the United States in 2006 and was released in Europe the next year.[2]

Gameplay

The player uses the Nintendo DS's touch screen for character control and interaction, while the top screen displays maps and other general information. Nearly all actions are controlled via the stylus; the only function of the buttons is to move the player character using the D-pad.[3] The battle system is turn-based, and the position of the planets within the game affects the amount of damage wielded or received by each character. All characters in the game are associated with a specific planet, and their magic attack power is boosted when a character's planet is positioned favorably.[4] Tapping an attacking character with accurate timing will increase their attack power, and similarly timed taps when they are being attacked by an enemy will reduce damage taken.[5] In battle, party members are arranged in two rows, with back-row characters being unable to perform melee attacks in exchange for having their spells changed to affect multiple targets instead of just one. Their defense is also increased compared to front-row party members.[4]

Astrolog

Video game screenshot showing turn-based combat
Gameplay of Magical Starsign during a turn-based battle on the fire planet Razen. It is daytime, and the Fire and Wind planets are aligned, powering up the characters associated with those elements.

There are 7 different elements in the game (light, darkness, fire, water, wood, earth, and wind) which each correspond to a planet in the game's planetary system. The Astrolog tracks the movement of these planets, which move clockwise around a central point as time passes within the game. The orbital velocity of each planet varies according to their size and location. Magic spells of certain elements are twice as effective while a planet is orbiting within the area assigned to its corresponding element. This bonus applies for both the player's magic spells and enemy spells. The light and dark elements are instead affected by solar activity: light magic is more powerful during the daytime, and dark magic is more powerful during the night (in-game time is viewable as an animated hourglass). A certain spell acquired later in the game allows the player to move the planets to an advantageous position; or potentially align the 5 planets in a straight line (as indicated in the Japanese version's subtitle), which causes far more damage than the standard elemental bonus. The planets may also happen to align without using the spell, but this causes damage to both the player and the enemy.

Multiplayer

Up to six players may connect locally (a game card is required for each player), taking their characters into a dungeon where they work together to defeat monsters while racing to collect treasure. Points are awarded for damage done to enemies and treasure collected from chests, and the player with the most points at the end wins the multiplayer mode. Experience points and treasures gained in this mode are applied to the main game.

Tag mode allows players to exchange game data to gain new items. Up to 100 players are recorded on the game's friend list, and the item gained will vary depending on in-game progress or the main character's element. There is also an option to create a short message displayed when tag mode is used, allowing players to exchange messages with each other. Using the tag mode frequently will create an "egg character", which becomes stronger each time tag mode is used successfully. The player can use the egg character in the main game, but it will not gain levels with experience like other characters.

Synopsis

Setting and characters

Magical Starsign takes place in the fantasy world of the Baklava solar system, a planetary system composed of six planets that orbit a sun. The five closest planets to the sun each represent a different magical attribute, also known as a starsign, and host vastly different landscapes and civilizations: Razen (fire), Gren (wood), Puffoon (wind), Cassia (water), and Erd (earth). The sixth and most remote planet, Kovomaka, is home to Kovomaka Kingdom and Will-o’-Wisp Academy, a school headed by Principal Biscotti where aspiring sorcerers are taught magic. Within the sun, there is Nova (light) and Shadra (darkness), which reside in parallel dimensions and alternate in a cycle akin to day and night.

The player controls six apprentice magicians in Magical Starsign: Lassi, a scatterbrained rabbit from an immigrant community who uses wind magic; Mokka, a deadpan ancient robot purchased by Biscotti who uses earth magic; Chai, a salamander who uses wood magic, making him an oddity among salamanders who typically cannot evoke magic; Pico, a hot-blooded ōendan member who taught himself fire magic to support his family; Sorbet, the academy's top student from a destitute family who uses water magic; and the player-named protagonist, who can be assigned either light or dark magic. They are all enrolled in Will-o'-Wisp's Class B, mentored by the capricious yet powerful sorceress Miss Madeleine. The primary antagonist of the game is Master Kale, an old student of Madeleine's who, leading a band of astro pirates, plots to destroy the Baklava system by fulfilling an apocalyptic prophecy.

Plot

The students overhear Principal Biscotti ordering Miss Madeleine to travel to Puffoon and confront Kale, whose pirates have been causing trouble across Baklava. Three months go by and Madeleine has made no contact with the academy, which pushes Lassi to find her using the academy's secret stash of rockets. Her classmates give chase, getting scattered across Baklava in the process. The protagonist reunites with Lassi on Erd, teaming up to procure a new rocket capable of interplanetary travel. On their journey to find the other students, they make enemies with Kale's accomplice Chard and his pirates, who have taken Madeleine to Razen. They eventually discover that Madeleine, among many other magicians, was arrested by Puffoon's Space Police. Upon reaching Razen, the group accidentally foil Sorbet's plan to save Madeleine by pretending to cooperate with Kale, who uses a spell to teleport his crew and the magicians he abducted into the sun.

Confirming that the pirates and Space Police are working together under Kale, the students set out to find the five millennium gummies, magical items that will let them enter the sun. Along the way, they learn from Baklava's king Suspiro that Kale used to work in his entourage, until the public revolted out of fear that their old customs would be lost. Kale then discovered a grimoire authored by the late archmagician Craaken, who predicted that the universe will be reborn when a worm named Shadra devours the sun and produces a new one. Believing the public is incapable of keeping Baklava alive, Kale resolved to accelerate the apocalypse by nourishing Shadra with the magical power of magicians.

Landing on Nova, the planet of light inside the sun, the students pursue Kale into another dimension containing Shadra, the planet of darkness and the worm Shadra's namesake. They defeat Kale in the worm's den where Madeleine is trapped, and a battle against a metamorphosed Shadra ensues. Upon defeating it, the sun is enveloped in a light that stops the apocalypse. However, Madeleine passes away, hoping her students will learn from the friends they made on their journey. The group are then escorted by the Space Police, rectified by former general Knucklestorm and his daughter Brie Pourri, on their way back to Kovomaka.

In the game's epilogue, Pico drops out of Will-o'-Wisp in his eighth year to explore the galaxy, while Sorbet graduates with honors and enlists in the Space Police. Mokka allows Lassi to reassemble him into a rocket, which she lends to the protagonist after detecting a signal in the far reaches of space, and Chai sneaks inside Mokka before takeoff.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic69/100[6]
Review scores
PublicationScore
EGM6/10[7]
Eurogamer8/10[4]
Famitsu(DCA) 32/40[8]
31/40[9]
Game Informer6.5/10[10]
GameRevolutionC+[11]
GameSpot7.3/10[12]
IGN7.5/10[13]
Nintendo Power7/10[14]
Nintendo World Report6/10[3]
Pocket Gamer4/5[5]
RPGamer3/5[15]
411Mania8.4/10[17]

Magical Starsign received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[6] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of three eights and one seven,[9] while Famitsu DS + Cube & Advance gave it all four eights.[8]

Writing for Eurogamer, Rob Fahey said that it was "something which is well worth a look for any RPG fan who's in the market for a handheld adventure" and gave the game a score of 8 out of 10.[4] GameRevolution called Magical Starsign a "solid old-school RPG" with good localization and audiovisuals, but disliked the limited number of spells, lack of innovative gameplay, and the overuse of stylus controls.[11] GameSpot praised the humorous, wholesome script with a diverse cast of characters but thought the bland storyline, basic battle system, and high random encounter rate held the game back.[12] Pocket Gamer similarly acknowledged the game's issues.[5] Karl Castaneda wrote in a review for Nintendo World Report that the game was overall "forgettable", though the cutscenes were described as "pretty well done".[3]

Notes

References

  1. ↑ Aiste (2006-09-19). "Preview Magical Starsign sur DS" (in fr). https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00006841_preview.htm. 
  2. ↑ "Magical Starsign". November 22, 2006. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/game/11468/magical-starsign-nintendo-ds. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Castaneda, Karl (November 22, 2006). "Magical Starsign Review". http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/12458/magical-starsign-nintendo-ds. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Fahey, Rob (March 1, 2007). "Magical Starsign". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/magical-starsign-review. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Fear, Ed (January 9, 2007). "Magical Starsign [US Import"]. Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/magical-starsign/magical-starsign/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Magical Starsign for DS Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/magical-starsign/critic-reviews/?platform=ds. 
  7. ↑ EGM staff (November 2006). "Magical Starsign". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (209): 140. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Gantayat, Anoop (June 23, 2006). "Gaming Life in Japan". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/06/23/gaming-life-in-japan-88. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "NEW GAME CROSS REVIEW - マジカルバケーション 5つの星がならぶとき" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain) 915: 59. June 30, 2006. https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=11309&redirect=no. Retrieved March 9, 2023. 
  10. ↑ "Magical Starsign". Game Informer (GameStop) (163): 142. November 2006. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Djamgarov, V (November 20, 2006). "Magical Starsign Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/37689-magical-starsign-review. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Massimilla, Bethany (November 1, 2006). "Magical Starsign Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/magical-starsign-review/1900-6160851/. 
  13. ↑ Bozon, Mark (October 26, 2006). "Magical Starsign Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/10/26/magical-starsign-review. 
  14. ↑ "Magical Starsign". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 210: 104. December 2006. 
  15. ↑ Beckett, Michael (November 14, 2006). "Magical Starsign - Staff Review". CraveOnline. https://archive.rpgamer.com/games/magvac/magvac2/reviews/magvac2strev1.html. 
  16. ↑ Gann, Patrick (November 26, 2006). "Magical Starsign". Emerald Shield Media LLC. https://www.rpgfan.com/review/magical-starsign/. 
  17. ↑ McCabe, Sean (December 6, 2006). "Magical Starsign (DS) Review". http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/48226. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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