Video games - Riviera: The Promised Land

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	Video games - Riviera: The Promised Land

Riviera: The Promised Land (Yakusoku No Chi Riviera - 約束の地リヴィエラ) is a video game which was originally produced in 2002 by Sting Entertainment for the WonderSwan and then introduced later to Nintendo's Game Boy Advance in 2005. It combines a point-and-click adventure formula with RPG battle elements.

This RPG is also quite unique in the U.S. because it is also classified as a Renai, or an RPG with dating sim elements, as shown by the multiple endings the hero could achieve with his supporting game characters, and the decisions made leading up to that ending.

Notable also is its use of voice acting; while not extensive, it goes beyond most other Game Boy Advance titles in amount.

Riviera: The Promised Land is a very different breed of RPG, mostly seen as "A strange but entertaining twist on the RPG standard". Most of its fans feel that the game was originally destined to be a sleeper hit due to its strange take on RPGs, but instead it grew in popularity because if its uniqueness. Its originality and well-written spin on what would have been a very cliché plotline has given Riviera a strong starting fan-base.

On 1up.com's top 10 GBA games list, it kept its place at the number 1 spot throughout the majority of summer 2005.

Story

The story of Riviera: The Promised Land strongly resembles Greek and Norse mythology, the likely source of the inspiration for the plot ideas.

The Holy War - 1000 Years Ago

Riviera: The Promised Land takes place in the Divine World, a world where the land takes its form in a number of continent-sized islands floating high in the sky, with no visible landform beneath them. Within exists Asgard, a realm run by the all-powerful gods, and Utgard, a land overrun with corrupt demons. It is said in legend and folklore that a long time ago, the world of Asgard was invaded by the demons of Utgard, which incited the holy war known as Ragnarok. Asgard was not well-defended, and the demons easily began claiming the land as their own. In desperation, the gods of Asgard broke an ancient covenant and created the Grim Angels, powerful warriors with black wings, each armed with a sacred weapon called a Diviner, who entered the fray and reclaimed Asgard. They, alongside the gods, marched into battle, relentlessly defeating the enemy where they once stood, and finally the rulers of Utgard were defeated. The gods of Asgard, however, had used the last of their abilities, and they began to disappear. Before they left, they sent their powers to Riviera, an island floating at the edge of the Divine World, leaving the powers in the protection of the Sprites, the human inhabitants of Riviera.

A thousand years have passed...

Signs of the demons' return have been found in Riviera, and after a millennium of silence, their existence threatens another holy war. The Seven Magi, representatives of the now-deceased gods, make their choice: they plan to initiate the Retribution, a divine punishment, an unknown power that would change Riviera forever. And they assign new Grim Angels to carry out that duty.

The Retribution - Current Times

Riviera: The Promised Land follows the story of Ein, the youngest and most inexperienced of the three Grim Angels in the game. He, along with his partner Ledah and his cat-shaped familiar named Rose, have been assigned by Hector, one of the Seven Magi, to enter Riviera and initiate the Retribution. Ein and Ledah set off to Heaven's Gate, where they encounter numerous demons who have already broken into Asgard.

The Grim Angels

Grim Angels are very vaguely described throughout the game and as such, little is known about them. They have black wings and carry powerful weapons called "Diviners"; they must sacrifice something precious in order to obtain the latter. Ein is followed by a familiar, a being whose purpose can be inferred to be a guide. Ein is the only Grim Angel to be shown with one. Originally the gods "broke an ancient taboo" to release the Grim Angels, but it now appears that the Seven Magi can create them. Despite this, it is not known if Ein and Ledah are true Grim Angels. Malice, however, is not.

Diviners

The Diviners are the sacred weapons of the Grim Angels. They must be made from Orihalcon, and possess immense power. These sacred weapons grow in strength with their masters, and can only be used effectively by angels.

Einherjar - The yellow Diviner Einherjar is a holy-based sword used by the Grim Angel Ein. After having its power awakened by Ursula, Einherjar is used by Ein to perform the Execution Level skill "Disaresta". The name Einherjar comes from the Norse myth of the chosen warriors Einherjar.

Lorelei - The red Diviner Lorelei is a fire-based spear used by the Grim Angel Ledah. Ledah refuses to use any other weapon. While in your party, Lorelei's Execution Level skill is "Lost Seraph". Later, Ledah uses "Crimson Correges" as Lorelei's Execution Level when fighting Ein, then "Rose Kreuz" in his "Awakened" form. Lorelei's name seems to have come from the German legend of the rock Lorelei.

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