The graphics in Guardian's Crusade are... um, cute. The characters are whimsically designed, having an anime feel, but bringing back memories of Star Fox (Super Nintendo) or Tamagotchi. Most of the game is viewed from above, while exploring towns and traveling distances. Fighting is viewed from a little above eye-level with the characters, and is nicely animated, but has a cartoon-like appearance. You also collect 'living toys' along the way which are all pretty much ball shaped, with arms and legs, looking quite similar to 'binaries' from Reboot, the cartoon series. To sum it up, while the gameplay is enjoyable and addictive, this is one game you might not want your friends to catch you playing. It's just that cute. And (for you guys out there) if you are afraid of your friends questioning your masculinity, whatever you do, DON'T let them see the 'cotton candy pink' CD. You'll NEVER live it down.

Guardian's Crusade is actually quite fun. Guardian's Crusade is a cartoony overhead view Role Playing Game. The fight sequences are a very simplified turn-based system, allowing virtually anyone to jump right in and play. Once you get into it, your character will advance in levels at a fairly reasonable pace. There are, in general, three things to keep in mind to enjoy the game more:

• Search for treasure chests everywhere you go...
• Choose your fights wisely - you can usually 'run away'
• Find and save as much food as you can.

As long as you bear these tips in mind, the game will be quite enjoyable.

Guardian's Crusade is one of those games which is very easy to play, but not so easy to master. It takes a little bit of playing to get used to navigating through the areas, and to figure out where the different buildings (and cities) are. But the game is fairly forgiving, and doesn't have a lot of time-sensitive events, so feel free to take your time exploring the land. If you DO manage to die, you'll just wake up in your house as if it were a dream and have to start off at the last place you saved your game.

Guardian's Crusade is very addictive. One reason it is so much fun is that the game is so simplistic. The game is a simple role playing game, with a simple turn-based fighting system. The 'living toys' add an interesting twist, but beyond that, this game is so simple in design that it could almost be a parody of role playing games. The thing that makes it really work is that this 'child-like' simplicity is used as a design element throughout the game. Not only are the views simplistic, but the fighting system, the character designs, and the plot are all 'fairytale' in nature. This is exemplified by your fairy sidekick (and secret admirer) Nehani. This sidekick character adds to the feel and the plot of the game. While Nehani is too small and frail to assist in fighting, she acts as an aid to your conscience and allows for a more consistent and immersive experience than could be provided by the 'You see nothing of interest' responses in most games. In Guardian's Crusade, it's more likely for Nehani to tell you 'Knight, you can't take that money - it doesn't belong to you.'