That each scenario features choice in such a diverse manner within the same system is brilliant. Trying for these options can take skill, luck, and some detective work to either avoid all enemies, defeat everything in the scenario, or find hidden items that alter these conditions. It’s generally easy enough to figure out the path to alternate endings on those that are dialogue-based, but gameplay-based endings can be harder to ascertain, making the quick save and load functions very handy. These small variations appear so often that paying attention to the actions of the character is important. Others are based on gameplay decisions the player makes along the way. Many scenarios contain choices some are obvious dialogue options that can lead to different endings for the scenario. Getting from point A to point B in Live A Live has gotten a face lift with this Switch remake, including a mini-map readily showing players where to to go next, allowing for smoother integration of story beats. Multiple ways of telling a story of what makes a hero are ingrained into each scenario through choice, dialogue, and gameplay, and how they all resonate differently is Live A Live’s greatest strength. Not every hero is made the same way one has the strength and convictions to stand up for what’s right, another just wants to rescue their love, and another is just looking to survive another day. However, more subtle nods are baked into each story.

For example, its version of the Wild West happily runs with the cowboy and outlaws theme. Scenario presentations include different visuals and music to fit each era.

There’s a lot of charm packed into each of these short stories, with each one playing out in ways that leave open a variety of interpretations for the motivations and inspirations of each route taken along the way, making the whole experience fascinating.īackgrounds and visuals are vibrant making each scenario look amazing. The scenarios have connections and secrets among them that cause eagle-eyed gamers to check every nook and cranny to see the various ways everything wraps up. They still have their moments and flesh out the scenarios while making the protagonists more three-dimensional. The way each story is brought to life is unique and seeing how the protagonists are born and face their trials is a joy to experience.ĭue to the main focus being on the heroes’ individual journeys, side characters and NPCs are mostly relegated to exposition or comedy. Every scenario balances between quirky, heartfelt, and comedic by using the sincerest form of gimmicky tricks to have each one stand out. This gives each one a chance to stand on their own and have a fighting chance at being a player’s favourite. There’s enough story in each to find out what makes each hero’s heart beat and why they fight so hard to overcome evil on their terms, while all the main characters have different motivations that makes them easily discernible. Some scenarios come akin to a fighting game or an action-platformer, while others play with stealth mechanics or a thrilling horror situation. Each of these time periods is a vehicle for the developers to tell a story within the game’s engine while supplying its own twist, often a homage to films or other video game genres. The seven scenarios of varying length and theme, set in different time periods from prehistoric to the far future, can be chosen in any order. Live A Live‘s grand opus gives players a choice of plenty of heroes with whom to start. Modern sensibilities, such as easier quest tracking and voice acting help widen its appeal, but the core experience remains outstanding after all these years.

Its audiovisual and narrative designs immerse players in each of the individual scenarios, while it creatively builds upon the same gameplay base to create distinct experiences that connect with its audience in different ways. Square Enix’s remake of Live A Live shows that even nearly thirty-year-old games can use narrative tricks to have a game shine brilliantly. Roleplaying games have long been a vehicle to drive a story and connect with characters.

Live a live review