The Alliance Alive HD Remastered Review
Release Date: October 8, 2019
Publisher/Developer: NIS America, FuRyu
Platform: Nintendo Switch (reviewed), Steam, PlayStation 4 (original edition on 3DS)
Price: $49.99
The Alliance Alive is in a unique position. Originally a 3DS title, it came out as the system was admittedly falling into it’s twilight years. No matter how much Nintendo tried to cover it up, all eyes were on the Switch as the successor to both the 3DS and the Wii U. On top of this, it was created by developers wanting to reinvigorate a traditional turn-based RPG in an era where action or time-based RPGs have become the norm. An impeccable title that could easily go under the radar for gamers already on the next system, this 3DS exclusive is now getting a fresh coat of paint and a new life on Switch, Steam, and PlayStation 4.
If you want an in-depth review of the core gameplay of The Alliance Alive beyond the brief below you can check out my original 3DS review here. The story unfolds on a mysterious land where a Great Barrier has divided the world for so long people think tales of the other side as complete myths. People don’t even remember what a blue sky is. The Daemons and Beastfolk keep humans in submission. Through the course of the opening chapters, you meet several groups of individuals that each have their own stories to tell. You may see a character in the background of one story show up as a main in another. Eventually, the tales intertwine and all the stories merge into one, reminding me of how Final Fantasy VI doesn’t really have a “main character” so much as an entourage of people with a common goal.
In battle, gamers have to organize their formation and optimize attacks using special skills and the right weapon. Overall most of the minor naggings from RPGs are eliminated, as characters tend to be healed up at the end of each battle. There are also not traditional “level up” ranks so much as natural progression. Using a weapon frequently allows a character to have an “awakening” allowing them to learn new maneuvers or increase the strength of moves. Regular HP and SP growth happens slowly after nearly every battle.
What I hope to focus on for the remainder of this review is the differences between this and the original 3DS release. Whether by clarifying issues or simply bringing things to the active forefront, the tutorials that seemed hard to find in the original edition are now openly presented with quick “help” boxes when a new situation is introduced that encourages you to hit the tutorial menus. Just enough to make it welcome and less confusing than when I went in cold turkey with the original. Obviously, the game also has to cram two screens’ worth of data into a single one, and it is smartly done by widening the main action to a full widescreen and pocketing the map and such into an easily scalable corner. Battle screens, menus, the works are all neatly rearranged and cleanly placed on the same screen with no real loss of content. The “HD” in the remaster is where the magic really happens. The graphics are a lot cleaner primarily thanks to an added outline around everything and everyone. It makes things look crisp, as opposed to the dreamlike nature of the original 3DS. The graphical clean up has a stopping point, draw distance and the like are still the same with the world map still having the giant wall that separates regions roll in and pop up in the distance. In the end, it’s fine but just one of the little nuances that cement this as a remaster of a 3DS title instead of a brand-new game. When I started the Switch edition, I did go back and simultaneously started a file on 3DS and noted a negligible longer loading time for Switch. The music was similar, but of course sounds better on a full stereo or the better Switch speakers compared to the 3DS. Originally the developers actively chose to not voice the characters, leaving you to imagine voices much like the RPGs of yore.
The Alliance Alive is a beautiful game that I easily recommended on the 3DS and is blessed with a second chance on Switch, PS4, and Steam. If money is a concern you can get the exact same game on 3DS for $10 cheaper, but that extra premium is easily worth the added polish.
Pros:
-Refreshed, easier to access tutorial
-Cleaned up graphics and a chance to play an epic game on a bigger screen worthy of the tale
-Intricate and deep customization and battle system
-Unique character growth shows a little development each battle instead of waiting for a level up
Cons:
-Traditional gamers may get frustrated at the random character growth not being as straightforward as they’re used to
-Non “old school” gamers might get put off on classic design choices such as lack of voiceovers
-Minor extension in loading times
-To be honest, all the cons here are stretches for me: we are supposed to think of negatives. Most of my complaints about the original release were taken care of, making a wonderful update to a wonderful game that deserves a longer time in the limelight. Any RPG fan deserves to give The Alliance Alive a look, no matter which system you get it for.
Special thanks to FuRyu and Atlus for giving me a chance to review this updated classic!