Review of Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's Decade Duels for XBLA by Protomario
20Silly hair and large coats, yep this is a card game!
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's takes place decades after the events of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX. Unlike GX, however, it does not follow on the story from the previous series, and almost all of the cards used are super brand new.
The game of Duel Monsters has changed; a new addition has been introduced to the future of dueling as seen in 5D's: "Turbo Duels". These duels are played in giant stadiums, and duelists ride motorcycles with built-in duel equipment known as "Duel Runners" ("D-Wheels" in the original Japanese version). Domino City has also changed, under the guidance of the head of its public maintenance bureau, Rex Goodwin. Rich and powerful people live in what is now known as "New Domino City" ("Neo Domino City" in the Japanese version), while the poorer class are shunned and live mostly in the slums area, known as "the Satellite". They are referred to in the Japanese version as "Satellite scum" by the inhabitants of New Domino City. An aspiring duelist from Satellite, Yusei Fudo, builds his own Duel Runner, but is betrayed by his best friend, Jack Atlas, who steals his Duel Runner and his most precious monster, the Stardust Dragon. He does this by tying his and Yusei´s friend Rally on a raft and making Yusei choose between stopping him or saving Rally from drowning.
The Crimson Dragon, as seen during Yusei and Jack's Turbo Duel.
Two years later, Yusei has built another Duel Runner, and sets out to win back his Dragon. Jack, now known as the Duel King (King of the Riding Duel in the Japanese version), has made a name for himself and his monster, the Red Dragon Archfiend (Red Demon's Dragon in the Japanese version), in New Domino City. Yusei and Jack face each other in a Turbo Duel, and during the duel Yusei is able to regain control of Stardust Dragon. As Stardust and Red Dragon Archfiend battle, a third dragon appears and brings an abrupt end to the fight. This attracts the attention of Rex Goodwin, who reveals to Jack a thousand year old secret, involving the "People of the Stars" (星の民 Hoshi no Tami?), a pre-Incan civilization, the "Crimson Dragon" (赤き竜 Akaki Ryū?), and "Signers" (シグナー Shigunā?). He also reveals to Jack that him, along with Yusei are descendants of them and are destined to face the Dark Signers. Yusei, along with Jack Atlas, Akiza Izinski (Aki Izayoi in the Japanese version), and Luna (Ruka in the Japanese version) head to the Satellite to face these foes, with the help of Leo (Rua in the Japanese version) and Crow Hogan, who becomes the fifth Signer.
After defeating the Dark Signers, Yusei and his friends get ready for the upcoming WRGP tournament, whilst facing off against a new threat with the power to absorb Synchro Monsters. During this time, Yusei encounters a mysterious man who teaches him about Accel Synchro, a super mechanic named Bruno who had lost his memory and a girl named Sherry Le Blanc, who is investigating Yliaster who are reportedly responsible for her parents' deaths. Yusei also goes to a place called Crash Town to save his friend and former Dark Signer, Kalin. The WRGP soon begins, with Team 5D's facing up against tough opponents before eventually coming face to face against the members of Yliaster themselves.