Riviera: The Promised Land

 Game Boy Advance
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
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  1. G4 TV
    60
    For all the innovation in Riviera: The Promised Land, it still plays out like a standard RPG. Sure the developers mixed things up--and that's a good thing--but they left in all the excruciatingly dull parts, and that's not so good.
  2. GameSpy
    70
    The game works hard to achieve a balance between elements gamers are familiar with and elements to provide new experiences. For the most part, Riviera manages to keep that balance quite well.
  3. IGN
    70
    The plot takes a bit to get going but it eventually does move along, even if it's a story that you've probably experienced in some fashion in nearly every other Japanese RPG game in the past two decades.
  5. N-Insanity
    70
    This would have been a great RPG had it not used all the "uniqueness" that makes it annoying rather that a classic.
  6. netjak
    51
    They tried to cram too many unusual features into the game, and though each is interesting and has potential individually, the resulting hodgepodge is no better than the average RPG.
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  7. Nintendo Power
    65
    Just don't expect the next great epic. [Aug 2005, p.83]
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  8. Nintendojo
    60
    Riviera is extremely bland. There are a lot of pleasing elements like the artwork and audio, but it cripples a sense of freedom and feels altogether too straightforward.
  9. Nintendophiles
    58
    A great experience for a niche crowd, but you'll just have to figure out for yourself whether or not you're part of that niche.
  10. NintendoWorldReport
    70
    A game that desperately tries to be different, but it just ends up making itself frustrating in areas that should be simple.

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2005
9
#9 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2005
25
#25 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2005

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 29
  3. Negative: 2 out of 29
  1. VampiricS
    Jul 18, 2005
    8
    One of the best role playing games on the gameboy advance, perfect for people that can't play for hours long. The abgility to save One of the best role playing games on the gameboy advance, perfect for people that can't play for hours long. The abgility to save everywhere even during battle makes it perfect for the handheld. Graphically, the game artstyle is georgeous, and the audio fits the game really well, some o fthe overskills used in the game are really a joy to look at. The gameplay itself can seem simple at first, but there is a new kind of depth to it and some nice innovations. The leveling up system is really done differently there, and each weapon or item can have different effects depending on who's using it. All in all a really good role playing game for every GBA users.… Full Review »
  2. PabloEnver
    May 23, 2023
    5
    Bastante decepcionante en todos los sentidos. Es de los pocos RP que no he llegado a terminar porque no le cojo el gusto. Graficamente esBastante decepcionante en todos los sentidos. Es de los pocos RP que no he llegado a terminar porque no le cojo el gusto. Graficamente es bastante pobre, y el diseño artístico es bastante regular, en especial el diseño de los niveles. El sistema de batalla no tiene ningun sentido, solo puedes llevar 4 objetos al combate, incluyendo TUS ARMAS, pociones, objetos de ataque, etc. Con las armas puedes aprender habilidades...pero luego solo puedes usarlas si llevas dicho objeto. Un sinsentido absurdo. Encima el inventario es super limitado asique te verás descartando objetos cada dos por tres.… Full Review »
  3. NM
    Feb 16, 2007
    10
    Just an absolute awesome game, the best rpg game I think there is on GBA and possibly PSP in future.
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