Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster review

Tragically overlooked in the early 2000s, Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster unites two innovative role-playing adventures into one, remarkable, deck-building bundle.

Success is never guaranteed in gaming. Despite earning critical acclaim upon its 2003 release, Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean sold poorly in both Japan and the West. But co-developers Monolith Soft and tri-Crescendo understood the value of their effort, which provided some fascinating innovations to role-playing formula. Following a pair of novelizations, the teams delivered a prequel, 2006’s Baten Kaitos Origins. Yet again, audiences were apathetic, resulting in abandoned pre-production efforts for at least two handheld follow-ups.

Nearly two decades on, the franchise likely gets one last chance to make it big with the release of Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster for Switch, which bundles the pair of GameCube titles. As the title implies, there’s been a nice visual upgrade that improves the resolution of both games while extending widescreen support. And save few a few simplistic animations and moments that aren’t intended for handheld screens, the two titles still manage to shine- thanks to capable storytelling and a combat system that compels experimentation. It’s a long shot, but maybe this is the release that finally generates commercial success for the disregarded duology.

Kalas, Not Callous. But Close

Revisit many fantasy RPGs from two decades ago, and you’ll probably find an inventory of cliched ideas. Undoubtedly, Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean storyline initially seems entrenched in tradition. Yes, there’s the environment-corrupting ancient baddie locked away for millennia, whose unshackling puts the entire world in danger.

But peer past these familiar elements and Baten Kaitos offers enough pulpy plot twists to entertain contemporary audiences. Likewise, the game’s six key cast members grow from simple caricatures into personalities with convincing backstories, motivations, and viewpoints. Sure, protagonist Kalas can be a jerk. But gradually, Eternal Wings reveals the causes for some of his actions and you’ll likely find yourself empathizing with the lead. And interestingly, you don’t exactly play as the lead, but as a guardian spirit who is bonded to the lead character. Periodically, you’ll be asked advice or agree with Kalas- and the strength of your bond can have an influence on battle.

The world-building is every bit as impressive. Baten Kaitos depicts a realm robbed of its oceans, forcing civilization to take to the skies. Remarkably, this has caused its inhabitants to evolve, each growing an individualized set of wings, offering an extension of their personality. Undoubtedly, it’s a cool concept, but it’s eclipsed by Eternal Wing’s depiction of physical disability. Few games have explored this phenomenon, but the way it’s handled here is surprisingly nuanced, detailing the social repercussions felt by an individual.

Card-Based Combat Encourages Experiment

The last few years have seen a plethora of card-based battlers. Yet, revisiting Baten Kaitos’ combat still feels remarkably fresh. Most notably, the game eschews any kind of traditional inventory method for its Magnus system. Here, any object can be stored on a limited number of blank cards, possibly becoming a part of each character’s unique deck. When conflict arises, you’ll draw on your deck for both offensive and defensive measures. Mixing turn-based strategy and real-time action, you’ll create combos of up to nine cards to dish out damage and deflect any incoming attacks.

Your deck is modestly sized at first and fights are relatively straightforward. But soon, you’ll contend with elemental variables where cards can be invalidated. As such, you’ll learn that using both fire and water at the same time can be hopelessly inefficient. But Baten Kaitos has over a thousand different cards that can transform over time, inspiring experimentation. One example: grapes can initially be used to heal, recovering a few points of health when played. After a while, they’ll grow rotten, converting into an offensive tool that can poison a for. Soon, those rotten fruits will ferment into wine and finally vinegar. And while not every card has such a remarkable lifecycle, decks can feel fluid, compelling rearrangement at regular intervals.

Sure, there are a few issues that mar the mechanic. Reaction times for card selection can be remarkably short. You’ll probably learn to leave the cursor on a defensive card after playing an offensive combo to shave a bit of time. In other moments, you can find yourself stuck with a deck that’s inadequate for a given situation. But given Baten Kaitos’ 50-hour length, a few minor transgressions along the way are nearly inevitable. The big takeaway is that Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean is a terrific role-playing experience, that lost little of its luster over the year.

The Deviations of Origins

Prequels can be contentious efforts, populated with characters that are missing from the games that spawned them. Heading back into Baten Kaitos Origins almost feels like Monolith Soft and tri-Crescendo reserved some space for additional exposition. After hearing legends about the pre-cloud world in the original game, Origins gives gamers a closer glimpse of the land in transition. Likewise, we get to see a few characters in their younger days. Both insights feel fulfilling, even if they don’t attempt to fundamentally tweak your sentiments.

Largely, Origins retains the card battling method of the original game, although some tweaks were made.  With Origins, the system is simplified, with adventuring parties having a single deck and a shared hand, where most cards can be used by any character. An additional push toward teamwork is found in the game’s EX Combos and Relay Attacks. The former is a bonus that characters can earn for playing specific combinations of cards. The latter allows party members to team up, unleashing a formidable assault. Both techniques prove to be essential against Origins’ tough bosses.

On the upside, Origins feels far less linear than the original game. Noticeably, there’s almost always a side-quests for you to tackle, and there’s even a coliseum that offers gladiatorial-style matches that offer plenty of rewards. But know that these purportedly optional assignments might be compulsory. Attempt to rush through Origins, and you’ll sporadically be pitted against bosses and even standard enemies who can quickly humble you. For better or worse, prepare yourself for some old-fashioned grinding.

Conclusion

Baten Kaitos and its prequel didn’t entice GameCube owners, bringing an end to this prodigious franchise. But the release of Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster reveals just how innovative this pair of role-playing games were, with their deck-based combat and plotlines peppered with poignancy. In an alternate universe with slightly better taste, this property is as prolific as Final Fantasy.

Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster was played on Switch
with review code provided by the publisher.