The Japanese role is in fashion. Square Enix continues to feed this genre with a clearly inspired 16-bit adventure, at least in the playable part. We analyze Lost Sphear, the latest work from the Tokyo RPG Factory studio.
What is happening with the JRPGs is a joy for many of us . They do not stop appearing, and companies like Square Enix frequently offer us new works based on such a popular and veteran genre. The most recent is Lost Sphear , a title that continues what was started with I Am Setsuna some time ago, that is, it offers us a gameplay that is quite inspired by the classic productions of the 16-bit era .
In addition, and without being the best exponent of its genre, there is no doubt that with this production the developers have polished some of the most criticized problems of their previous work, resulting in a rounder game. Could he have given more of himself? Well, I think so for different reasons that I will explain later, but despite that Lost Sphear is a very remarkable adventure within its particular old school style.
The story that takes place in this title is well conceived, although it is neither the most original I have ever lived nor the best narrated. The protagonist is the young Kanata , a boy who sees how both his hometown ( Elgarthe ) and the rest of the locations that are part of his world are, from day to night, practically vanished. And for what reason? Well, without wanting to go into too much detail so as not to reveal anything too significant, due to a problem that has to do with the loss of memories.
Lost Sphear: Launch Trailer: A New Moon Rises
Crystal souvenirsPrecisely, the theme of memories is of paramount importance in the development of the adventure and, not in vain, the protagonist possesses an amazing ability that separates him from the rest: the crystallization of memories . Thanks to these objects of great value, Kanata can give new life not only to certain characters, but to entire areas and villages, a characteristic that in the end is a very important part of the playable base that this JRPG adventure boasts.
In the many villages it is possible to rest in the inns, talk (in English) with their inhabitants, buy objects …
In this way, one of our fundamental tasks throughout the game is to try to restore and “normalize” the world around Kanata and the rest of the protagonists by implanting these memories that we have to collect. Exploration becomes, therefore, one of our main activities in Lost Sphear , being able to travel a very wide scenario that is made up of a good sum of clearly differentiated locations. To move from one point to another we use a world map, a classic tool in this type of production, being able to collect a large number of objects of all kinds (in addition to the aforementioned memories), from new weapons to healing potions, clothes and other items of variable utility.
As you may suspect, and given the nature of this production, many of the locations that await us in this game are blocked or are not accessible from the start, so backtracking is a key part of the game formula that the adventure presents. As we progress and as I have already mentioned lines above, we are also recruiting new members who join our journey, being able to form a group of characters as curious as they are compensated. Kanata and his friend Lumina are joined by others such as the always surprising Locke, the darkest Van and several others that I do not want to reveal, all of them endowed with a very specific and determined personality … and most importantly, with very defined skills and characteristics. .
Classic ATB fightsAs a good JRPG, throughout Lost Sphear we must participate in numerous battles against a generous variety of monsters and rivals. These confrontations take place in turns , of course, being able to adjust various parameters such as their “flow” (active or passive). Of course, it is necessary to specify that the combats are not random, so in most cases we see the rivals arrive, which are normally found prowling and patrolling in certain areas of the sets.
Vulcosuits give us more strength and resistance, as well as having new abilities. They are very useful.
The title uses the traditional ATB (Active Time Battle) system, providing a lot of dynamism to the battles and, also, more depth than it may seem at first. And it is that although during the first bars of the game the contests are very easy and do not allow us to choose between too many options, as we progress, it gains in strategy and a certain complexity within its simplicity. This is due to various reasons, such as the progressive learning of new techniques and magical resources by the protagonists or the use of so-called Vulcosuits .
As for the first factor, the use of magical attacks, a resource called Spritnite acquires a lot of relevance. Thanks to him we can learn new techniques and enable more and more slots to perform special actions for each of the characters, something essential to be able to face the toughest battles with guarantees. And, on the other hand, mechanized Vulcosuits armor allows us to gain in offensive and defensive capacity, while also granting us new abilities, such as breaking certain objects and structures that are scattered around the scenarios.
It’s quite a varied and engaging adventure, especially for those who love classic JRPGsAnother of the pillars on which this work is based is the interaction with different secondary characters, being able to dialogue with a good number of them throughout the more than 20 hours that this adventure will last us. The (not very frequent) spoken conversations have been held in Japanese, while the texts have been reflected only in English . Yes, I know, it is a shame that in this case Square Enix has not made the effort to translate the game (something that fortunately will happen in the imminent Secret of Mana), but it is also true that soon after a fairly basic level of English it is possible to follow the plot without too much trouble.
All these ingredients make Lost Sphear quite a varied and engaging adventure, especially for those like me who love classic JRPGs . However, it is also necessary to highlight a couple of defects that the title presents that go beyond its lack of translation and its predictable plot, starting with the design shown by some sets and dungeons that we visit, which are sometimes too basic in its conception. And I am not referring to its technical side, but to its small dimensions and its too linear nature.
The world map allows us to go from one place to another on the extensive stage that hosts this production.
On the other hand, it also seemed like a game that takes a while to start , more than necessary even for a JRPG, a style where things tend to be taken more calmly than in other types of productions. The beginning is too simple and easy, so the first few hours can become a bit superfluous, although in return during this time the classic tutorials are explained to us quite successfully. One thing for another.
As for its technical finish, we are not facing any graphic marvel, at all, but at least it is a video game endowed with a certain visual charm and that, as far as possible, gives us good sensations. The great quality that adventure treasures in this facet lies in its aesthetic dimension , where on many occasions some decorations shine with their own light that have been endowed with an indisputable elegance and plasticity. The rest is much more functional, including the recreation of the characters and their corresponding animations.
The sound is another matter as the game gives us a fantastic soundtrack , one of the best I’ve heard lately. Tomoki Miyoshi has made a good series of pieces that are a real delight for the ears, in addition to adjusting perfectly to each of the situations that the adventure poses. Well-rounded melodies with competent sound effects.
“Okay”
Lost sphear
With I am Setsuna, Tokyo RPG Factory paved the way for what has become Lost Sphear. This RPG adventure is inspired by the great classics of the genre of the 16-bit era, improving many of the aspects that were most criticized in the aforementioned I am Setsuna, starting with its combat system, which in this case has been quite enhanced. It still has room for improvement in certain playable aspects but, beyond that, it is a great representative of the genre. A pity that it did not come with texts in Spanish.
- The old school gameplay is very captivating (at least for the most nostalgic)
- The battle system is well captured: simple but engaging
- The soundtrack is sensational
- The story, without being bad, ends up being quite predictable
- The layouts of some dungeons and stages are too basic
- The first part of the adventure is quite easy
