Mirroring the evils of society, and the governing bodies of today's real world, 'Alliance Alive' brings to us a familiar plot premise told through classic RPG gameplay, and enhanced HD visuals. Complimented by added mechanics paying homage to RPGs of the past, and others that are somewhat new to the genre as well as specific to this experience. As the game opens up through visually enhanced cutscenes, textual art panel inclusive storytelling, and in-game character interactions we find a fantasy world plagued by the invasion of Daemons, and divided realms born from a resulting barrier where beast folk enforce the laws without mercy. Leaving humans to be the last underground resistance to the oppressive darkness, and the rule thereof. In the midst of the darkened skies, and society's downfall there lies hope in the guise of a girl named Azura, her childhood friend Galil, her father Wyatt, and the guilds that will join in an alliance to find the blue skies of a thousand bygone years. It's a story of hope enduring, and the final fight for freedom. One we all can relate to.
As Azura, Galil, and a party full of other interesting guild members you will take on a fight against the Daemons as you try to unravel the mystery behind the legendary blue skies, and a past history that has been hidden from humankind, purposefully. Utilizing town hubs, locations of interest, and overhead maps for travel you'll face fights with minions of darkness as you go about solving complex puzzles. You'll encounter battles that will have you fighting greater and lesser enemy types with talents complimented skills, and Signimancy (spells) that upgrade with points spent, and the engagement of battles, respectively. You'll find preemptive advantage in sneaking up on enemy avatars as well as disadvantage in being caught off guard. In addition to those less than common features you'll also find that characters can go into an ignition state, and perform a final strike to deal some serious damage under certain circumstances. That along with special etheract weapons that gift the characters Signimancy abilities you'll find the tools necessary to defeat the more powerful Daemons who will cross your path at key points along the way.
Alliance Alive, as a turn based RPG, is not so much a reinvention of the RPG genre, but more so an enhancement of it. Even though it offers something new in the way of story, and mechanics it does also include root features from earlier established RPGs. Such similar features that other RPGs have offered return in the form of accessory, item, and equipment loadouts for key characters, and party members. The difference this time being around that each character can wield dual weapons, and multiple accessories. Not only is there dual wield, but each weapon equipped brings along with it it's own set of skills, and Signimancy tied to special plus sign marked Etheract weapons that can be easily switched between in mid-battle for added benefit. Along with that the formation menu which allows for different party formations will make for better defense, support, or attack as well as an all around team option. With which you'll be able to improve upon overall battle performance. Ultimately allowing support characters to survive longer, and those in attack and defense positions with skills that compliment each role to best perform as they should.
As far as travel goes you'll be heading out on guided missions to meet with characters, and go to places of interest. This will be done on a semi-overhead map. Both on foot, and in vehicles you unlock as you progress. Vehicles which will allow you to reach previously inaccessible areas. These places to go to will include towns, libraries, and dungeons. The towns offer up shops for armor, items, and weapons as well as inns to recover and save at. Within towns also lie guild access, and local establishments such as a pub where you can interact with key characters. Outside of the inn you'll also find you can quick save progress wherever you are at by pressing "SQUARE + L1". You'll need to do this often, because there is always a chance to run into over powered enemies that will end your game prematurely. Also to note the forts found on the overhead map in relation to guilds will afford you beneficial stat boosts, and resistance when you are near them. Lessening the impact battles will have while out traveling.
For those of you who want to dig deeper into game features, tutorials, and extras you'll find that the main menu, and the library locations harbor said informational outlets. At the library you'll find access to a monster bestiary that includes images, and important details regarding the enemies of Alliance Alive. In regards to the monster bestiary you'll find that you can access crucial enemy data in battle by analyzing them for weaknesses, and strengths. There's also background info on key characters as well as a weapon guide, and access to cutscene videos.
Battle ...
Battle is one of Alliance Alive's key components. In battle, as you fight, your characters will have a chance to "Awaken". This will earn them a new weapon or Signimancy skill according to weapon type used. Repetitive use of skills will result in a level upgrade to that skill. Effectively increasing it's damage or support capabilities. Along with the awakening you'll find that upon battle completion you'll be awarded in-game currency, talent points, and upgrades to SP (skill points), and HP (health points). While HP, and SP are fairly much self-explanatory the talent points are a little less so. With talent points you can upgrade the weapon specific talents via the talent menu in the main menu listing. This will allow for various tiers of talent expertise that will lessen skill point cost with specific weapons as well as increase awakening potential among other things. Each talent upgrade costs increasingly more per expertise level. It should be noted that each character can wield, and master any weapon type, and once they've awakened skills with a weapon they'll remain available for use, but will only of use when that specific weapon is equipped.
The Verdict ...
I enjoyed Alliance Alive HD on the PS4. It was a properly upgraded port of the original game given the downsizing of cutscenes to a widescreen presentation. It translated well onscreen, and played smoothly. The new mechanics along with the inviting story made for an endearing RPG experience. The only real downside, if any was the lack of voice-overs, and the somewhat dull soundtrack that made the lack of voices, and the silence thereof all the more noticeable. That aside It was a solid experience that wasn't too demanding in regards to puzzle solving prowess, or the ability to understand the mechanics. The characters were all interesting, and their fight for the blue skies, memorable. I can easily recommend this as a purchase if you've never played the original or want to experience it in HD on the PS4. Even with it's downsides it is good enough to recommend.
As Azura, Galil, and a party full of other interesting guild members you will take on a fight against the Daemons as you try to unravel the mystery behind the legendary blue skies, and a past history that has been hidden from humankind, purposefully. Utilizing town hubs, locations of interest, and overhead maps for travel you'll face fights with minions of darkness as you go about solving complex puzzles. You'll encounter battles that will have you fighting greater and lesser enemy types with talents complimented skills, and Signimancy (spells) that upgrade with points spent, and the engagement of battles, respectively. You'll find preemptive advantage in sneaking up on enemy avatars as well as disadvantage in being caught off guard. In addition to those less than common features you'll also find that characters can go into an ignition state, and perform a final strike to deal some serious damage under certain circumstances. That along with special etheract weapons that gift the characters Signimancy abilities you'll find the tools necessary to defeat the more powerful Daemons who will cross your path at key points along the way.
Alliance Alive, as a turn based RPG, is not so much a reinvention of the RPG genre, but more so an enhancement of it. Even though it offers something new in the way of story, and mechanics it does also include root features from earlier established RPGs. Such similar features that other RPGs have offered return in the form of accessory, item, and equipment loadouts for key characters, and party members. The difference this time being around that each character can wield dual weapons, and multiple accessories. Not only is there dual wield, but each weapon equipped brings along with it it's own set of skills, and Signimancy tied to special plus sign marked Etheract weapons that can be easily switched between in mid-battle for added benefit. Along with that the formation menu which allows for different party formations will make for better defense, support, or attack as well as an all around team option. With which you'll be able to improve upon overall battle performance. Ultimately allowing support characters to survive longer, and those in attack and defense positions with skills that compliment each role to best perform as they should.
As far as travel goes you'll be heading out on guided missions to meet with characters, and go to places of interest. This will be done on a semi-overhead map. Both on foot, and in vehicles you unlock as you progress. Vehicles which will allow you to reach previously inaccessible areas. These places to go to will include towns, libraries, and dungeons. The towns offer up shops for armor, items, and weapons as well as inns to recover and save at. Within towns also lie guild access, and local establishments such as a pub where you can interact with key characters. Outside of the inn you'll also find you can quick save progress wherever you are at by pressing "SQUARE + L1". You'll need to do this often, because there is always a chance to run into over powered enemies that will end your game prematurely. Also to note the forts found on the overhead map in relation to guilds will afford you beneficial stat boosts, and resistance when you are near them. Lessening the impact battles will have while out traveling.
For those of you who want to dig deeper into game features, tutorials, and extras you'll find that the main menu, and the library locations harbor said informational outlets. At the library you'll find access to a monster bestiary that includes images, and important details regarding the enemies of Alliance Alive. In regards to the monster bestiary you'll find that you can access crucial enemy data in battle by analyzing them for weaknesses, and strengths. There's also background info on key characters as well as a weapon guide, and access to cutscene videos.
Battle ...
Battle is one of Alliance Alive's key components. In battle, as you fight, your characters will have a chance to "Awaken". This will earn them a new weapon or Signimancy skill according to weapon type used. Repetitive use of skills will result in a level upgrade to that skill. Effectively increasing it's damage or support capabilities. Along with the awakening you'll find that upon battle completion you'll be awarded in-game currency, talent points, and upgrades to SP (skill points), and HP (health points). While HP, and SP are fairly much self-explanatory the talent points are a little less so. With talent points you can upgrade the weapon specific talents via the talent menu in the main menu listing. This will allow for various tiers of talent expertise that will lessen skill point cost with specific weapons as well as increase awakening potential among other things. Each talent upgrade costs increasingly more per expertise level. It should be noted that each character can wield, and master any weapon type, and once they've awakened skills with a weapon they'll remain available for use, but will only of use when that specific weapon is equipped.
The Verdict ...
I enjoyed Alliance Alive HD on the PS4. It was a properly upgraded port of the original game given the downsizing of cutscenes to a widescreen presentation. It translated well onscreen, and played smoothly. The new mechanics along with the inviting story made for an endearing RPG experience. The only real downside, if any was the lack of voice-overs, and the somewhat dull soundtrack that made the lack of voices, and the silence thereof all the more noticeable. That aside It was a solid experience that wasn't too demanding in regards to puzzle solving prowess, or the ability to understand the mechanics. The characters were all interesting, and their fight for the blue skies, memorable. I can easily recommend this as a purchase if you've never played the original or want to experience it in HD on the PS4. Even with it's downsides it is good enough to recommend.
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