I’ve been clear for the reason that starting that my aim is to not play each sport that has been labelled an SRPG; I wish to give attention to the subset of SRPGs which are the sort I wish to play. That is why I got here up with the three standards (particular person characters, separate maps, growing story). Nonetheless, I nonetheless come throughout video games that technically qualify, however don’t really feel just like the sort of SRPG I wish to play. The commonest manner I see this are video games which have nearly no growth of the person characters, or there are solely a tiny variety of particular person characters after which largely grunts apart from that.
My regular course of after I encounter considered one of these “technically qualifies” video games is that I first attempt to play it a bit to see what I feel. If I feel it appears extra “technique” than “technique RPG” to me, and I’m not all that enthusiastic, I subsequent google for Japanese critiques and explanations. Issues that can encourage me to skip the sport are lengthy taking part in time and unhealthy critiques.
With that in thoughts, listed here are three video games which are on my listing however that I’m (for now at the very least) not going to make devoted posts about.
Tokyo Majin Gakuen Oboro Kitan
This can be a totally different case than what I used to be speaking about earlier than. It’s primarily a “fan disc” bonus for Tokyo Majin Gakuen, a visible novel-SRPG hybrid that I performed earlier than. The disc has a variety of minigames, music assortment, and so on. There are additionally six “gaiden” tales. Considered one of these is a prologue to the primary sport the place you see the primary character in his earlier college earlier than he transfers to the college he’s in for the primary sport. You possibly can then load that save instantly into the beginning of TMG.
The remainder of the gaiden chapters are aspect tales that includes the aspect characters from the unique sport. Nonetheless, you want a save from TMG to see them, and greater than that, the save file has to have fulfilled sure necessities (which aren’t listed anyplace). I used to be solely capable of play 2 of the 6 gaiden chapters. The battles in these chapters are primarily only for present since you may’t carry over something or develop the characters.
I ought to have performed this instantly after TMG somewhat than ready, though I used to be by no means capable of finding an inventory of necessities to play the gaiden chapters anyplace.
Final Stand
The opposite two video games are for the Wonderswan. This was a handheld launched by Bandai that was by no means introduced out within the west and I feel is comparatively unknown.
Just like the Recreation Boy it was black and white (though a coloration model got here out later). The primary promoting factors of the system have been (1) you could possibly play video games in portrait or panorama mode (with an additional management pad to assist), and (2) the battery life was much better than the Recreation Boy. It obtained a good degree of third social gathering help for it, but it surely didn’t get an actual market share and was discontinued in 2003.
After all in 2025 you might have the identical normal downside with Wonderswan video games as with Recreation Boy video games — the primary promoting level of each programs was that you could possibly play them on the go, and so folks neglected the truth that they have been in black and white and had typically smaller, easier video games. However that’s now not related now, the place you may play a PS1 sport on the go as simply as you may a Wonderswan sport. That’s to not say that there aren’t any video games price taking part in on the platforms, however I feel the video games haven’t aged in addition to the primary programs.
Anyway, the primary sport on my listing for this method is Final Stand. It’s principally an Ogre Battle like sport.
The primary distinction right here is that in Ogre Battle, every unit had a selected assault sample relying on the place they have been positioned within the formation. So though you could possibly not management your models within the battles, you knew what assaults they might use. In Final Battle, the battles are fully AI and all you are able to do is watch, you may’t even set total AI instructions.
The characters have names however no actual tales (aside from the primary character). They’ll rank up in lessons, however in addition they grow old and finally you’ll have to swap them out for different characters in the event that they get too previous. There’s no method to see what the precise stats of your models is, which is bizarre.
The one full assessment I noticed was by somebody who total loved it, however they did criticize the AI battle and the ignorance.
SD Gundam Emotional Jam
This sport covers the First Gundam by way of Char’s Counterattack storyline, though there are some models from the alternate universe sequence. This sport is shut in really feel to the G Technology video games — like these video games you largely rent grunt models to struggle for you. The primary distinction that does make this rely as SRPG beneath my guidelines is that the named characters from the assorted sequence are in your crew and (apparently) stick with you. Nonetheless, it nonetheless feels way more like a technique sport due to how a lot of your pressure is grunts.
The primary distinguishing issue of this sport is that on every map, you interact in battle by having the battleships encounter one another. Then, it switches to a separate map the place you might have the models from the battleship struggle one another. You possibly can have as much as 5 models struggle collectively as one.
This can be a sport that I in all probability might have performed, I feel what pushed me to skip it’s that in studying critiques, the primary grievance folks had about it was how lengthy the sport was and the way slowly it performed. The way in which the maps and fight are structured make it so that every map can take 2-3 hours, and whereas emulator speedup would assist with that some, I simply don’t wish to spend that lengthy on this sport. I feel that is solely the second time (after Darkish Wizard) that I’ve skipped a sport that I in all probability ought to have performed, however I suppose I’m allowed to have just a few free skips.
(By the way, there appears to be no clear cause for the “Emotional Jam” subtitle.)
Tremendous Robotic Taisen Compact
As regular, for the SRT video games I’ll copy my previous message board entries (I performed this in 2007). You possibly can in all probability skip this; I can’t even discover any screenshots I took of the sport — I feel it’s because I really performed it on an actual wonderswan somewhat than in an emulator.
13 days after FF’s launch for PSX, the primary sport for Bandai’s WonderSwan system appeared. Banpresto has all the time been fairly form to transportable programs. Quite than simply releasing loads of remakes or crippled variations of their predominant video games, Banpresto tends to make use of the transportable programs to the complete extent of their energy, usually releasing video games which are simply nearly as good because the console variations — minus the speech and graphics, in fact.
The sequence listing is pretty massive given the sport’s brief size — you get the standard set of UC Gundams, W Infinite Waltz, L-Gaim, and Dunbine for the Reals. The Supers are Dancougar, Getter Robo, Mazinger, Raideen, and Daimos. Two notable issues concerning the sequence listing. First, there aren’t any new sequence (the one sport within the franchise for which that is true) — though, Infinite Waltz was actually only a cameo in FF; that is the primary time the story really seems. Second, there aren’t any authentic characters in any respect (additionally the one sport within the franchise). The ultimate boss is Daitarn 3’s Don Zauser, who joins the ranks of Scirocco and Shapiro as non-original closing bosses of SRW.
The system is kind of FF’s. A brand new function is the stage choose, which reveals up once more within the different Compact video games and MX. You additionally get new abilities primarily based on how rapidly you end a stage. That is the primary sport for the reason that NES 2 to not have any route splits or non-compulsory phases.
Though the graphics are pretty minimal, they’re a significant improve over 2G, the earlier transportable sport. It’s sort of unhappy that in case you ignore the shortage of coloration and the smaller decision, the battle animations are principally the identical because the Ps F. 1999 noticed the discharge of graphically gorgeous video games like FF8 and Valkyrie Profile, so F/FF was actually behind the occasions by rather a lot.
One notice of curiosity on the graphics — that is the primary sport within the sequence to have the conversations happen in entrance of backgrounds exhibiting rooms or exterior areas, not only a world map.
I’ll maintain observe of what number of turns it takes me to beat the phases; 6 turns is the cutoff for the perfect talent (Focus). Regardless that you may’t skip the animations, they load instantly, and I can watch TV whereas I play so it’s not as tedious as F/FF and Shin have been.
SCENE 1
Stage 1 – Aura Street (6 turns)
The opening narration units up the factions — seems like at first it’s Zeon, Barm, Meganoids, and Muge — though Muge was defeated already. The sport appears to haven’t any overriding enemy pressure just like the Divine Crusaders or Balmar Empire within the earlier video games.
The primary part is the primary time in SRW historical past that you just really go to Byston Properly. For some cause there are Zeon troops there too and so they instantly take up with the unhealthy guys for no discernable cause (shades of EX).
They lastly discovered that if they offer you Chris and Bernie proper at first of the sport, they’re really usable for a short while. Char is the hardest enemy on this stage; principally solely Amuro can cope with him.
Stage 2 – Assault (6 turns)
Virtually the identical set of enemies as within the first stage; not a lot to say right here.
Stage 3 – Storm Sphere (6 turns)
Kouji and a few Mazinger enemies are on this stage; I simply barely obtained within the 6 flip restrict but it surely labored out all proper in the long run.
Stage 4 – Rescuing Rimru (8 turns)
I couldn’t do that one in 6 turns. I feel it may be attainable in case you ignore Todd and ship Shou as much as defeat Drake and the opposite Aura Battlers, however even then you definitely would reduce it awfully shut.
SCENE 2 (5, 8, 6, 7, 9, 10)
Stage 5 – Signal of Zeta (6 turns)
I wasn’t certain I might do that one in 6 turns, but it surely labored out in the long run. The hit fee of the monsters is poor so you may go all out together with your guys. One factor that it’s important to do on this, Compact 2, and Impression to complete phases in low flip counts is to actually use the complete energy of all of your guys — as an illustration, Christina’s Scorching Blood may be capable of take down a grunt.
Burning (from 0083) appears to make his first look on this sport, in a Re-GZ. Kou really doesn’t suck too unhealthy.
Stage 6 – Scramble Sprint (7 turns)
This one is unquestionably attainable in 6 turns; the reinforcements come out on the reverse finish of the map from the place the preliminary enemies are, however in case you allocate your forces appropriately you are able to do it — it’s essential have a unit that may counterattack the Drones, although. I solely had one enemy left on the seventh flip. Nice Mazinger joins on this stage.
Stage 7 – Love on the Battlefield (8 turns)
(At this level my save obtained wiped so I needed to replay up thus far on emulator)
The story on this sport is sub-minimal; even SRW 3 had a extra developed story than this. The Titans assault right here, however the Titans have by no means been talked about within the dialogue earlier than this (that I bear in mind) and there’s no actual introduction right here. Kamille acts like he is aware of 4 however there’s no indication of why or how. It’s type of SRW 2-level writing.
Daimos additionally reveals up on this stage; the aircraft is definitely fairly good on this sport — the missiles are stronger than Breast Fireplace!
I’m unsure this may be attainable in 6 turns. The O doesn’t transfer from its beginning place, so you would need to rise up there fairly rapidly with some models that might destroy it — there are loads of excessive HP models on this stage, although.
Stage 8 – Overflowing Holy Energy (6 turns)
Raideen seems. As Daitullan stated, Bluegar is nice — the explanation Bluegar and the Daimos aircraft are so good is that they’ve 5 block upgrades on their standing and weapons.
This stage is sort of straightforward to clear in 6 (and even 5) turns in case you simply cost your guys forward; simply be certain that to take just a few flying models out into the ocean to defeat Sharkin.
Stage 9 – Large Shock (8 turns)
Getter seems, with Getter Q and Texas Mack. This sport has loads of the aspect characters; too unhealthy they get no story in anyway.
The reinforcements confirmed up on flip 6 for me, so I’m unsure 6 turns is feasible. Additionally, lots of the beginning enemies don’t transfer in any respect.
I obtained a V-Up Unit; these give extra stats primarily based on what number of improve slots a unit has; it helps weak models rather a lot. I gave it to the Alex NT1 and threw Amuro in there.
Stage 10 – Merciless Fairy Story (7 turns)
This one is unquestionably attainable in six.
Dancougar joins right here. Afterwards, Quattro joins the crew for no clear cause (he’s simply immediately within the Federation), and Lalah comes with him. Then Gihren and Kycilia are assassinated by somebody and immediately Neo Zeon varieties, so now we’re rocketing off to area to struggle them and the Khushrenada woman’s military from Infinite Waltz.
SCENE 3
Stage 11 – By the Blue Shining Flame (7 turns)
I used to be one motion away from a 6 flip clear; I had already restarted the map as a result of I forgot about convincing Gato with Kou, and I didn’t really feel like doing it once more. GP-02A is tough as regular, and you don’t have any Exhausts to take away his MAP assault when he hits 120 morale.
Stage 12 – Preventers (8 turns)
Is that this attainable in six whereas nonetheless convincing each Trowa and Quatre? I couldn’t attain Trowa till flip 7.
Right here’s the introduction of the Infinite Waltz storyline into SRW…I assume. It’s sort of beneficiant to use the time period “storyline” to something on this sport, although.
Stage 13 – A New Energy (9 turns)
I don’t assume this one is feasible in 6. Even shifting my models in direction of the enemies at prime pace (with Pace seishin), I didn’t even attain them till flip 6.
ZZ Gundam seems; hopefully it’s nearly as good because it often is within the early video games.
Stage 14 – Dreamers (8 turns)
Right here comes L-Gaim, with principally no rationalization and hardly any dialogue. L-Gaim is admittedly good since you may stick a V-Up in it.
SCENE 4
Stage 15 – Infinite Waltz (8 turns)
The top of the Infinite Waltz “storyline”.
Stage 16 – Demon’s Battle (10 turns)
Would possibly as effectively take your time, because you get God Voice on flip 10 for Raideen.
Sharkin reappears right here…after which it’s the tip of the Raideen “plot”.
Stage 17 – My Brother is an Enemy of the Earth (4 turns)
A straightforward stage to do rapidly, particularly in case you make all of your models flying.
I’ve two V-Ups on Alex NT1 now and Amuro has double transfer; that mech is a beast. Nu Gundam what?
Stage 18 – When Crossing Sea and Land (5 turns)
With Tremendous NT1, it’s getting simpler and simpler (I went forward and gave it 3 V-Ups simply to be fully insane). That is the final Dunbine stage.
Stage 19 – With the Solar’s Radiance (5 turns)
This one’s straightforward as a result of in case you defeat the enemies earlier than the reinforcements come, the stage ends.
Daitarn 3 reveals up right here; each this sport and C2 help you put Reika, Magnificence, Toppo, or Garrison because the Daitarn pilot — they took that out of Impression and it doesn’t present up in lots of video games.
I’ve just about given up on this sport; I’m simply cheesing each stage with NT-1 now to see how issues prove; I’ll publish my ideas after I’m achieved however I’m not going to do any extra stage-by-stage feedback. This sport is unquestionably one of many worst SRWs I’ve performed.
Ending ideas:
Total, I feel this sport is poor. By far the worst half is the storyline. It has no authentic characters, and so they attempt to throw manner too many sequence right into a sport of such a brief size. Every sequence solely will get 2-3 phases, which rushes the plots to close incoherency — notably when mixed with the actually small quantity of dialogue. There are every kind of issues that occur abruptly, with no rationalization — Shin Getter immediately showing between missions, Small Barm going to Muge House for no cause, the Titans immediately exhibiting up with no rationalization, and so on.
The gameplay is hampered by loads of problematic interface points. I discussed earlier than how one can’t see motion fee on the town maps. Once you view the mini map, it robotically exits to your ship as an alternative of the final unit you have been on. You possibly can’t simply swap between the seishin of a number of pilots in mechs like Getter and Dancougar.
On the great aspect, the sport has loads of models, and specifically loads of uncommon models that usually don’t present up in different video games (i.e. Flat, Richter, Tekkou Ki, Magnificence and Reika). The rewards for low flip rely means you could attempt to be extra strategic than in different video games, somewhat than simply ready for the enemies.
However in the long run, the sport simply felt boring and unfulfilling.
