Go Adventuring Retro Style in Artifact Adventure Gaiden

By: GeekyGamerGirl87

Developed by Bluffman and published by AGM Playism, Artifact Adventure Gaiden, is an indie role-playing game, that at first seems to be easy, but proves that it can provide a challenge. When I first saw that AGM Playism was the publisher, I was very excited as I have recently been playing  La-Mulana, so I knew that this game was not as simple as it looks.

I was given a free copy of Artifact Adventure Gaiden; and would like to take the time to say thank you to the developer/publisher for providing me with a free copy of the game to play so that I could write this review.

In terms of graphics, I was really drawn to the fact that it reminded me of the old school Gameboy games, that were available back in the old days. One of my favorite features in Artifact Adventure Gaiden is that you can select from four different colors to use for your screen instead of playing in the green screen. The colors you can select from are green, black/gray (depending on how your eyes perceive it), an off green/yellow, and red. I love this feature as I have sensitive eyes and having the option to switch the screen to different colors does wonders so that my eyes can adjust to the game and allow for me to play a little longer.

In terms of the storyline it is a little vague.  From what I have gathered is that in three years there is a disastrous event called the “Cataclysm” that is to occur. You play as an unknown character ,or a John Doe; that the king has found. Apparently, you have no memory of who you are and have had some contact with the “Cataclysm” only because it seems that some people love you and others feel you are going to bring the “Cataclysm.” However, the kings trusted you to help save the kingdom and sends you off on a quest to do so. Once you are done questing you are to return to the king.

You start off your adventure by  talking with what appears to be a knight or possibly an advisor to the king. He tells you that you are going to select your party. You must select from three companions  that the king has appointed. You can select from a trader, an old knight, and a carefree spirit noble who blatantly tells you he will probably just get in your way. To keep things interesting, I will not reveal what each of them can offer to your team. I will however let you know you may only choose one, so choose wisely. Once you choose from your companions that the king has appointed; it is up to you to choose two other random companions from within the castle. This is due to the kingdom not being able to spare all three of the companions that the king offers.

The game plays pretty much like any of your normal rpgs. Only difference your party members are not fighting along side you when ever you enter a battle screen. Each of the party skills are passive skills that assist your John Doe. However, when ever you go into battle you will be by yourself. Another interesting feature I like about the battle system is that whenever you kill an enemy you do regain health, as you do not use potions during battle. So, you want to be careful and make sure you have all weapons equipped and side weapons equip. You can equip spells such as maelstrom (a whirlwind), blue drop, and even man’s best friend –who seems to be the only companion that seems to come into battle with you– just to name a few.

Another interesting thing about the battle system is when you are fighting the monsters as oppose to fighting the knights. Every so often you will run into a knight who doesn’t like that the king has chosen you to be the hero of the kingdom. The dialogue is funny to read in my opinion and the battles are very entertaining. The game is indeed a bit of a grind fest and you really do have to pay attention to detail. Every decision you make in the game does influence what happens in three years to come. So, rushing through the game could possibly have good or bad consequences in three years to come. There is no going back or exiting out once you get to the end  of a quest and they ask the “Yes or No” question; you must choose one or the other.  If you haven’t read what was being asked of you; then the fault lies within you.

When it comes to buying equipment in the game, it does not show you what items you own in any shape way or form. I wish they would have added that feature to the game. It can become a little tedious exiting out of the store screen to your equipment screen.  When it comes to items such as potions and kinderling (just to name a few); you can only carry a max of twenty-five each per  item. One thing I would have liked is as you leveled up in the game you would get extra hold space. However, at the same time I also like that you can only carry twenty-five. It basically makes it so that you aren’t just running around using them freely.  Another interesting bit of the game is that there are items that are collected, and they show up in your items, but you are unable to use them. So, I am not sure if they are used  automatically or if your able to sell them. As far as I have seen they are just there in your items inventory never to be used. They may be used automatically as I thought at one point I heard my character drinking up an elixir, but I am not sure if that was the case.

You run into battles on the map like most traditional rpgs; as well as entering a various of caves. I will say that it would have been nice if they would have added the compass  to the map. In the game, I would be told to go southeast to a town and will somehow end up somewhere else because when it comes to navigation in games, I am completely lost. Even if you could buy one as an accessory and equipped it, I would have been okay with that.  There is a chance that there may be a compass and I haven’t run across it yet. However, I did enjoy getting lost. It was because I got lost I was able to level up quickly, from fighting enemies that I was not supposed to be fighting. Another thing that should have been added to the map area is a way to zoom out on the map, with map locations. However, the game does offer a fast travel system in the game. So again, if you don’t pay attention to detail, you won’t get too far in the game.

As far as the controls for the game go, you can use both gamepad and keyboard. I played with gamepad because gamepad is what feels natural to me when I play rpgs. Although, the keyboard controls are very smooth as well. I also found the save system to be quite interesting. When it comes to saves; the game does save automatically, allowing for you to simply continue from your last stopping point. You also have the option to do a manual save in the game as well.   You can start a new game if you want, but I did not test out whether the game would save over your last game save.  The only reason I did not test this is because I am a little far into the game and in the case,  it does wipe it out ;I did not want to have to start all the way over. It would have been nicer if they would have just used the save and load option as oppose to save, load, and continue.

The game does offer fifty-two achievements for achievement hunters to collect. The interesting thing about the achievements is that they don’t register until the next time the game starts up. Which left me a little baffled, as most games let you know right then and there that you have gotten an achievement. Also, if you are a trading card enthusiast; it should be noted that Artifact Adventure Gaiden does not offer trading cards.

Overall, I do recommend Artifact Adventure Gaiden as it is a pretty good game, even though it does have some issues. I recommend it if you are someone who enjoys old school rpgs, that offer a bit of a challenge. I think that Artifact Adventure Gaiden does a very good job at capturing the nostalgia of retro rpgs. You can purchase Artifact Adventure Gaiden on steam for the price of $9.99 USD. However, if you’re not a person who is into the retro rpgs, I would recommend wish listing it and picking it up on sale to give it a try.