The starkest difference is that, rather than have you simply choose your next destination using a standard node-based world map, you’re left to explore from a top-down perspective, similar to the previously discussed Zelda II. The world isn’t very large and it’s locked down to keep the player focused, but there’s a lot hidden in its nooks and crannies. If you’re anything like me, you’ll spend an excessive amount of time plumbing those nooks and crannies. You can find heart rubies to expand your health, stamina emeralds to extend your stamina bar, moonstones to open up teleportation routes, GEO tickets to spend at a special store, lunar artifacts to sell to a thrift store, and various other items to make your life easier. If you’re not careful, the game can frequently become bogged down under the weight of all its side activities. However, all those side activities may be necessary if you’re going to cope with the brutal difficulty. It’s inadvisable to delve a dungeon without being adequately prepared, as save points are rather rare in dangerous areas, and the penalty for death is being unceremoniously dumped off at the last one you stopped at.Įvery boss in the game got its turn kicking my butt. Even the starter slime gave me a hard time until I managed to get its pattern down. Fast and deadly, but not unpredictable, like something out of Punch-Out!!. With every attempt I could feel myself getting better at anticipating and reacting to attacks. I’d make it further, use fewer health items, until finally, I was able to topple the baddie. I’d liken the difficulty to playing a Mega Man game with only the default buster: not impossible, but you’re going to have to focus and work at it. The story is set some countless centuries after a great war ravaged earth. Humanity has since emerged from their protective underground vaults and re-established a society that both lives off of and fears the technology of their ancestors. You play as Gail, a girl whose entire village is abducted by aliens while she’s away rescuing children. Honestly, the story plays in the distant background. You don’t even glimpse the principal antagonists until much later in the game, and even then, it’s implied that they’re mere mercenaries working for the big bad guys. Instead of directly dealing with the problem facing her, Gail is largely side-tracked by the problems of others. With that said, I don’t have much issue with the overall narrative. I found the writing to be extremely enjoyable, with a large degree of levity and a heaping helping of dry wit. Being able to move either before or after an action increases strategical choices by twofold!Ĭhoose to display or turn off grids, shorten skill animations and speed up “Move”commands. These options will not only help control the pace of battle, but will also be useful for multiple playthroughs.It’s also consistent throughout, bringing chuckles straight through to the end. You can switch your camera viewpoint to each unit and swivel the camera around to view your surroundings – you may even find hidden treasure while using this function!Ĭharacters can “Move” after an action during battle. This skill is unique to each character – it could be a high damage blow or a life-saving party heal strong enough to change the tide of battle.įor the first time in the series, the battle map is in 3D. Characters are expressive and diverse, breathing life into a compelling storyline.īy filling the gauge at the top corner of the screen, characters will be able to unleash a powerful skill called“Blaze exceed”. Skillpoints are used to acquire and level up various skills and also to change job classes, allowing character growth customization.Ĭharacter design is by Masayoshi Nishimura, a talented dot-art artist and illustrator known for his beautiful artwork. Attack and defense results vary depending on the direction you face, distance and elevation, making gameplay challenging enough to satisfy the even pickiest strategy lovers. Turn-based battles are carried out on an isometric map. “Mercenaries Blaze”is the 5th fantasy tactical simulation RPG by Rideon.
A story about a corrupt kingdom and a fight for equality――
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