Horai Gakuen no Bouken!
Join clubs and make friendsGenre: rpg - japanese
Publisher: J-Wing
Year: 1996
System: SFC
Gameplay Score: 4
Gameplay Notes:
It's a turn based RPG when it wants to be, but mostly it's a life simulator. A high school life simulator, to be exact. Most of your time is spent moving between the buildings on the sprawling island to talk to a certain NPC who will give you your next objective. Along the way you can join a club and as you fight battles you'll gain EXP and also slowly gain abilities taught by that club. It's all reminiscent of the esper system in FFVI. Making friends and strengthening friendships is another core mechanic, although I don't fully understand what the purpose of it is. The tutorial was so long that I didn't see much that the game offers, unfortunately. Overall the shopping, menus, movement, and battle mechanics are all good and the club abilities is an engaging idea. It didn't click with me due to the theme, but there's not much to complain about in the gameplay department.
Level Design Score: 3
Level Design Notes:
Traversal between buildings and areas is confusing. You're locked from going to most places and must memorize exactly how to move from one play to the next. I really wish there was a useful map.
Theme Score: 2
Theme Notes:
The Japanese are obsessed with high school. I am not. I'm the guy who has recurring nightmares of being thrown back into the high school crucible, so playing a game there is not my idea of fun. Plus I don't like life sims to begin with
Art Style Score: 2
Art Style Notes:
The graphics are ok, although sprites are tiny. The art style itself is my biggest complaint. It's all pastel colors and dorky designs. Imagine a pixelated version of Saved by the Bell.
Audio Score: 4
Audio Notes:
The music is surprisingly good. Each building has its own theme and while a few tracks are hokey, most are very pleasant. The sound effects are annoying, especially in the menus, but on the whole I'd say the sound is the game's best feature.
Overall Score: 69
Review ID: 1680
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