Review: Doshin The Giant (NGC)

Everything thing about this game is different including its origins, which began on the ill-fated Nintendo 64 add on (64DD) and now grace the Gamecube, by way of a complete overhaul.   The game is set on a tropical island paradise known as Barudo and is inhabited by four ancient civilisations.  As was common with civilisations such as these, their legends and gods played an important part in everyday life.   Each of the civilisations on the island are at their earliest stages: one female and one male, and no shelter.   So when you appear from the sea it is seen very much as a blessing for their hard work and prayers. 

The islanders will ask you for help by means of symbols, which you can react to if you feel the need.  Your exceptional strength allows you to change the island in almost every way possible.   You can shape the land as you wish, removing mountains or creating them, expanding the shoreline or increasing the size of rivers.   Trees form an important element in the game as these act as an energy source to the land.   The more trees that are in an area, then the more prosperous the village will become.  The influence of nature will become apparent as you delve deeper into the game, as she has some serious surprises in store for you.

By reacting to the desires of the islanders and helping to build their civilisations, the love that they display will increase the size of Doshin.   You can of course take the path of the evil giant Jashin, who strikes fear into each and every islander, causing destruction wherever he appears.   However such is the beauty of the game that at some stage regardless of your good nature, you will have to summon Jashin.   The evil giant has greater strength and the ability to breathe fire – two important attributes.   Interestingly the life span of each giant is only a day, as at sunset you will depart, only to be replaced by a new generation at sunrise.   Unlike similar games where increasing size and strength are foundations of the game play, Nintendo have dispatched this obsession with figures.   No matter how much you grow, each day you will restart at your original size, although the changes to the island will still remain.   The islanders will voice their opinions on the previous giant, and such comments are useful for future reference.

After reading the above outline many of you with PC origins will immediately be thinking of Lionhead’s epic Black & White.   Like myself, you would have returned this game soon after its release, frustrated by the lack of freedom and bends inducing depth, despite the glorious visuals.   Nintendo excel at creating games, which appeal to all ages, and beyond the child-friendly visuals of Doshin there is a significant and rewarding game.   Nintendo tackled the Real Time Strategy with Advance Wars, and now it’s the God Sim.   Not since the days of Sim City on the Sega Saturn have I bent and changed the landscape to suit my own desire.   In fact there are many similarities between these two games, with both only coming to life after a great deal of invested time and effort. 

The aim of the game is to encourage each of the four civilisations to build sixteen unique monuments: each devoted to you.   This is no small task, to achieve such stature requires constant attention: like a doctor on call, you are always available.   The freedom given to you, allows for total ignorance of such an aim, the joys of Doshin come from exploring the land and elements, combining the cultures and using your powers – no two games (or days) need be the same and this is its beauty.  There is no set way or guide on how to play Doshin and in an age of linear and script specific videogames, I love the change.   Combining cultures, pulling islands up from the seabed and trying things to witness the outcome are pure pleasures.   The audio is another delight, distinctive tunes for each culture and the tropical sounds of the island rebound throughout your suburban home.

Playing Doshin is a fluid experience because there is no real problem with the game design or control method.   Perhaps the leisurely pace and style of the game will not be to everyone’s liking, but in this day and age, you cannot please everyone.   The look of Doshin is distinctive, a giant yellow giant will immediately turn away many possible purchasers but beyond this is a tropical island paradise with a high level of detail, surrounded by a crystal clear blue ocean.   Doshin is not the most visually stunning Gamecube release, however it is efficient and achieves everything it needs to.   You will notice a slight fog and graphical pop-up at times but the scale and niceties such as the underwater camera more than make up for it.   The lack of human life, traffic and industrial activity removes the possibility of any slowdown.   Climb to the top of a mountain and take a rest, view your land, and all that it contains.

The only note of caution I would offer is the need for a new 251-block memory card.   With a single save taking 40 blocks and the photograph option (optional) costing 4 blocks per snap you will need more space.   For those looking for something different, inventive, rewarding and a break from the norm, Doshin The Giant comes highly recommended.

Rating: 7 / 10

Words by Jason Julier