Square Enix’s Octopath Traveler set the standard for what could be achieved with a retro-inspired JRPG.
Fans instantly fell for its outstanding HD-2D visuals that merged retro aesthetics with contemporary technology.
Since Octopath Traveler, there has been an outcry for more games to adopt this style with Square Enix releasing Triangle Strategy early this year.
Their next JRPG that utilises this style is the classic title Live A Live which is due to be re-released on the Nintendo Switch.
Live A Live was first released in 1994 on the Super Nintendo, it was part of Square’s classic JRPGs before their merger with Enix in 2003.
Live A Live was praised for its multi-narrative plot that delivered a variety of gameplay experiences that hadn’t been seen in other JRPGs.
Sadly this one-of-a-kind game never had a sequel and was never released outside of Japan. This makes the Switch release even more special as JPRGs fans in the West will finally get to play this cult classic in all its glory.
Live A Live follows seven protagonists from different time periods, who embark on adventures to defeat evils afflicting them.
Each scenario is vastly different with the narrative structure playing a massive role in that character's gameplay mechanics.
For instance, the Twilight of Edo Japan chapter is about stealth and choosing your battles wisely.
Whereas the Wild West Chapter focuses on working with the town folk to defeat the oppressors.
From what I’ve played so far, Live A Live’s features a great set of stories with fun scripts and entertaining character interaction.
The game doesn’t waste time with drawn-out introductions and world-building, instead, it propels players straight into the action and has worked well so far.
Combat mechanics use the same turn-based system throughout, where players will move across a grid and attack once their Charge Gauge is filled.
But each of the characters comes equipped with their own unique attacks that have very different effect areas and special abilities.
So essentially playing each chapter will be like starting from scratch in terms of strategy.
The chapters will also vary with party members, but the game allows up to four characters to battle at a time. But how and if other characters team-up is very dependent on the story itself.
An interesting feature is that downed allies will remain on the field and can be revived, however, if they are attacked any further they will be dismissed from the battle and cant be used till the next battle.
This adds to the risk and reward of how to strategise when using each of the extra characters.
The main attraction other than it being released outside Japan for the first time is the stunning new visuals, which look leaps and bounds from the original, making this feel like a completely different game altogether.
But what's even more impressive is that the game comes with dual voiceovers, Japanese and English which has elevated my current experience.
From what I’ve played, Live A Live looks like a JRPG fan's dream with the visual and audio enhancements adding depth to the experience.
It will be interesting to see how long each character lasts for and how everything eventually comes together in the end game.
There seems to be quite a bit of content to work through but only time will tell how much replay value Live A Live actually has outside the main campaign.
Live A Live is out on 22 July for the Nintendo Switch
