Preliminary: Another one of the RPGs I added to my backlog after playing Chronicles of Radia, because they were listed as similarly overlooked JRPGs due to lack of official translations. This one looks and sounds a lot like a Genesis Phantasy Star! Since this was actually released in 1991, unlike Heracles 2 which I just played and was released in 89, I will have high expectations for the QoL features, menu controls etc. I already see it will fulfill in the Sound department, thanks to special technology, but I'm hoping the Play feels, well, 91-ish. Otherwise, moving on. I have lots of 90s RPGs yet to play, not to mention Link to the Past which I know I keep mentioning lol.

So far it's following through: fast menu selecting, fast-paced, good music. And tho it's still decidedly NES looking, it looks I dunno cool lol

Let's just hope the gameplay holds up.

Early Game

The menu is a bit concerning: why can't I just press down for Equip. Hm. Verrrry Phantasy Star influenced, I see there is even Ceramic equipment heh. Nice and much like Phantasy Star, there is an Auto option.

Ngl I'm loving the grind and RPG hook vibe of this so far. Giving me a feeling that the first Phantasy Star gave me, been a while since I felt that way. I like how fast the menu goes during battles, making grinds not so awful. The pace of the walk is still slow but the music keeps being good, and the game overall fast-paced so it hasn't been too irritating yet.

Wow the music really is amazing in this. I just want to stay in this Library Dome and listen to the music forever. Wow. Truly getting into the nostalgic 90s vibe that I know and love so well, and with an NES game no less!

Another great tune at the Electric City. groovy and cool colors too

Never a fan of status ailments, tho some of these reminded me of how Mother/Mother 2 does status ailments. Panic and Hype, etc :-p Dang, some really heavy grinding here. Then again, same with Mother, FFIV, Dragon Quests, etc.

It's kinda odd/unique that all your party members (so far, at least) can equip the same things. The progression of stronger equipment isn't entirely clear, tho I'm pretty sure it's straight from Phantasy Star lol it's been too long since I played a PS to be sure of that tho, but it's nice that it's all the same for the humans. It seems I will eventually have robot party members tho?

I like that you have support members in addition to party members

The main character's sprite kinda reminds me of Digimon? Tho I never played or watched Digimon so can't really determine that :-p Not all the music has continued to hit so perfectly, but it's all at least good, and when it hits, it hits real well.

Even tho it's quite grindy (well, very grindy), it is nice about having Terminals/healing spots/"Inns" always easily accessible nearby good grinding spots. The plotline is getting real epic and FF4-level in terms of quality for 91. I just keep being impressed!

Dang this is getting really hard! Ugh JRPGs. But whoa there's even a sort of synthesis feature for weapons! What a game! And cool you can switch out who your "leader" is to change the sprite/main character on the map, and thus change how people interact with you. I think I'm approximately mid game? I'm exploring Land 2

Mid Game

Argh, rise of the frustrating status ailments (Anemia in this case) in mid-game. But so it goes with RPGs. Still loving this and super hooked, despite the lengthy grinds. For some reason these little cute aliens (mus, apparently?) reminded me of Pokemon

I am glad I had access to a guide. Once you can get access to the Space Port, it's so overwhelming! But luckily NPCs often guide you the right way. Still.. I'm grateful for my guide.

Ooooo thank goodness for this little sidequest for Kazu's Defense/Kaz's Mark, the frequency of random battles is quite brutal. Which is good for grinding but can get frustrating when exploring. Luckily a) I have fast forward, b) I have a guide, and c) there isn't a ridiculous frequency of status ailments like many early JRPGs.

I get the idea, but the Vesta 2 part where you keep losing your party members and then you just simply get them back when you back to the Port is tacky imo lol. Never was a fan of those parts in RPGs, tho they stayed a staple to the 2000s (and maybe still now), the "now you only have one party member" etc parts.

End Game

Welp, seems like I'm doing a bunch of fetch and return type quests to finish up the game. Based on the guide I'm reading I think this is end game. I'm still loving it. It is getting borderline tedious, but that's normal for endgame RPGs. Luckily there are some features to alleviate the frequent random battles when there's so much traveling, plus I have fast forward heh. Not all the music has been on striking, but still so many good tunes and such a cool Look to the characters in the menu.

Oooo nice thank goodness for the HydroWing. Tele around at last! And oooo cool looking computer

This game sure is long! Then again, so was FF4. Some of the endgame areas' music is getting tacky and that usual NES dungeon sound (tho much higher quality thanks to the Konami thingie)

These parts, their Look and the way these scientists/doctors will give you special items or good curing items if you bring them something etc., remind me a lot of Pokemon still

Some cool looking bosses near the end. Darn hard tho. I like the bio-modifying Looks near the end, tho the music could've been better and more new songs for the ending to add to the hype, especially during these super difficult bosses.

Well yea so this string of final bosses does have some new tunes, but I'm not in love with them. Just hypey, usual battle music heh. Well okay they're kinda a jam lol.

And yay! My favorite of the main tunes plays for the ending sequence. Cute and happy ending, characters throwing each other up etc heh

I was expecting a whole new tune for the ending tho and a more spectacular credits song and some new screens for the very end Ooooo but I do love the Pokemon-esque recap of your party (oh only main character, boo).

Nice okay phew, there was a true ending screen. Great game!

Look: 9/10 Classic, yet feels advanced for NES, something sentimental and nostalgic and special about it. Maybe it's the Phantasy Star vibe?

Sound: 9/10 Could be a 9.5 or 10 in the future on replays. Great stuff. One of the highlights of the game.

Play: 8.5/10 I was fully hooked for the whole game. I can't deny that it was a bit sluggish, overly frequent random battles, ridiculously hard at the end, a bit too long, etc. But all those same criticisms could be said about all my favorite early RPGs, well all RPGs I like ha.

Feel: 9/10

Attachment: 9/10 I know I will be replaying it!

Overall: 8.9/10