Tengai Makyou Zero (Far East of Eden) for SFC
Review #2401
Tengai Makyou Zero
Equal parts Dragon Quest, Animal Crossing, and Tamagotchi
Gameplay
Most of the QoL improvements you'd expect - fast movement, snappy battles, cursor memory, and auto-equip. Magic and abilities are interesting, but I didn't see much that I haven't in dozens of other JRPGs.
Several good ideas, like the ability to save a recorded set of actions for each member of your party. For example, you could save Set A as your melee attacks, Set B as heal everyone, Set C as magic attacks, and so on.
There's a weird mechanic that tracks the calendar and time which influences in-game activities. For example, some shops are only open on Thursdays or after 6pm and festivals happen on specific days of the year. Very Animal Crossing of it.
There's also a complicated optional game within the game where you can raise a virtual pet.
Level Design
Way too much time in a one-person party. Kind of vague as to where to go next, although signs on the overworld help. The map is next to useless - it's far too zoomed out. It's good, but not terribly intriguing.
Theme
Pretty standard stuff (you're the chosen One) but with a very overt Japanese setting. Also, you're 12 years old, which seems young to me.
Art Style
Fantastic pixel art. The environments could use a little more detail but overall this is a good looking game. The battle graphics are outstanding! Great animations and effects.
Audio
Loved the music and the sound effects. This is Hudson at the height of their craft. The music is again overtly Japanese and would fit well in a Goemon title. I like how the music even dampens when you go inside a building. Great attention to detail in the sound design.
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