The Last Chronomancer

Last Update Just beat the game. This is a solid JRPG experience with a twist I really didn't see coming. I grew to really like the characters as well. 8.5 /10 overall. [b] Update 1 [/b] Almost 4 hours in, and I can say I'm having a blast with this game. There was a bit of a touch-and-go at one point with defeating 13 enemies under a time limit, but it wasn't too bad. I was level 9 going on 10 and didn't have too much trouble. Long as you fight the enemies around each area and the ones that come your way, you'll be adequately leveled for the areas to come. Saying that, I've never liked time limits imposed for any section of a RPG game even if it's a short one. I'm really, really digging these maps and the lighting/layering involved. Very well done. The story is good so far, though I'm starting to get the feeling that what I think or would expect is going to happen is not necessarily what might happen. I won't get too much into it out of respect for possible spoilers. Battles are engaging, and there are times you really need to think about you want to go about your strategy. I'll do another update as I get towards end-game (or I beat it). Initial impressions: Love the Mode-7/3D-esque scenes in the intro Dialogue is solid so far Combat is engaging/battle animations are solid Music is pretty great in the first hour I'll update this review as I play more, but just for first impressions, this is shaping up to be something special. I know the dev has been working hard on this game for years, and I'm so glad I get to be able to experience the full game now! [strike] Only one critique so far and it's to do with the settings. I'd like to see a full screen/windowed mode and/or resolution changer choice in the Options. I had to remember that F4 full-screens the game. [/strike] - The developer has added a hint to toggle fullscreen via F4 now at the beginning of the game. Thanks, dev!

[h1]The boss battles feel like HP sponges and have some cheap tactics, but the overall game makes up for the shortcomings[/h1] Ok, so I finally finished this game and my HONEST feelings are pretty much summed up as: - Great story. You can tell it's inspired by Final Fantasy VI (It even has its own version of the World of Ruin :P) but it differentiates enough that you can tell the inspiration, but then it can stand on its own two feet in a really good and unique way. - Tons of content and New Game+ allows you to replay as different characters with all your equipment (save some key items) and levels making it FAR easier to blow through content to get all the endings. - Great Writing that has interesting characters that all feel different and unique. - ♥♥♥♥♥♥ bosses. I wish I was joking, and it is really the ONLY bad thing about the game for me. They have far too much HP, some just abuse certain cheese tactics (throwing poison AND bleed on your whole party at once, etc) and it just doesn't feel fun. It's not ALL bosses, but it's enough to really put a sour taste in your mouth. The final boss also [spoiler]adds a new mechanic you have to watch out for, and its annoying that nothing in the game gave you any hints on how to see it for what it was.[/spoiler] Still, this was a lot of fun, and maybe I just went at the few aggravating bosses in a wrong way and didn't play the game to its fullest potential. I'm just one guy, after all. I will say, it's worth your time and took me almost 20 hours for ONE playthrough, and there are several hidden within. Check it out.

I've had my eye on this game since playing the demo years ago. As a fellow RPG indie dev, I can appreciate a lot of the environmental detail, world-building, and combat balancing that the developer has put into the game. The story is also interesting with a sort of D&D adventure feel to it. I've finally gotten past the early stages of the game and will likely edit this review after I've finished, but so far it's quite enjoyable and believe money was well spent!

A finely-crafted JRPG with plenty of twists, turns, and ways to flip familiar tropes. The storytelling takes certain cues from modern fantasy series while paying homage to classic SNES / PS1 era RPGs, managing to blend grittiness, humour, Easter eggs, and adventure all into a very satisfying experience. Pros: * Varied and unique cast of characters with interesting backstories and distinctive play styles * Lots of party and equipment management, but it's not strictly mandatory * Amazing presentation and visual design (those Mode7 scenes are "chef's kiss") * Excellent music complements the mood of each scene * Combat is fairly simple at first but has a lot of tactical options * Fast-paced but with just enough "breather" moments * Strong world building - factions, lore, history, culture etc. * Some scenarios play out differently depending on which party member is selected as the "main" character Mixed: * Some environmental sound effects are great, some aren't consistent quality, and some stuff like area transitions don't have sound effects at all (not a big deal, slightly disconcerting) * Tons of great-looking custom art, but an occasional clash of styles with certain assets Cons: * Some characters don't start off with much to do besides attacking, so during the intro the classes feel a lot more homogeneous than they actually end up in practice * This is a preference thing, but offensive stats feel like they do a lot more than defensive ones I haven't completed the game yet, though I have spent a bit more time with it on other platforms, and I know it has a ton of content for a modest price. Plus a New Game+ feature, which I am very much looking forward to. Highly recommend RPG fans give this one a look!

I've been following the development of this game outside of steam for a long time now, and am so glad that it's finally released, it's leagues above many other indie RPGs, the inspiration from the classics like FF6 is apparent, the dev really gets it and understands what makes a good game

So, this negative review is ultimately to get the developer's attention due to a bug tested twice with two separate heroes under the same circumstances. After you assemble your party and go forth to the north to fight the Kobolds, if you return to the main town, the screen remains in the loading screen. I found no fix this for this and restarting the game did not fix it. It seems to have corrupted the saves if made in the Northern Territory. You still have full control of your party, but you only see the loading screen and anything you can interact with. I tried to get into a fight, but I assume the Kobolds do not respawn nor could I honestly trace my path back to the Kobolds. I took screen captures to show the issue, but ultimately I could not advance. This bug was tested on Jett and Raven and it seems to occur if you go back to town after you beat the first masked Kobold, but it may occurr regardless. I didn't test going back to town under any other circumstances. I'm not going to refund, as I'll be honest - this type of throwback RPG is a fun "kick-back and enjoy" JRPG that I wish were more common. And, the Dev seems to have put a lot of time into this! **Edit - Fixed. So it was Stanton's speech that caused the bug! Thanks, man. Will let you know if anything else arises. Fun first outing! Good looks

It's not often where I can positively review a game I haven't beaten, but in the three hours I played of The Last Chronomancer I'm confident this game is already well worth your time and money.

Very good.

Edit: It seems we may not be done yet, apparently Randy was an optional boss. So I would still need to find one enemy then with that time limit... amending for a 'yes' recommendation, but with reservations. It is far too easy to get yourself softlocked (like running out of celestial downs and/or potions in the prison, I had TWO left because they kept killing Keegan), and fighting thirteen, yes, THIRTEEN enemies on a pretty strict time limit only to have to do it again if you lose to the boss (or mini-boss) is not my idea of fun. It's a shame, really. Another game that insists we have just such a certain level to progress. It doesn't always work that way! Besides that, there's the illusion of choice- you get to choose one of six characters, get a short scenario and then end up with all the other characters anyway. What was the point?

Very good, highly recommend if you're itching for a classic turn based RPG! Lots of indie devs like to SAY they take influence from the greats like Final Fantasy 6 or Chrono Trigger, but it's usually a bunch of hooey and their games don't feel like they understood what made those games fun at all. But Guld actually gets it, and this feels like a 90s RPG of yore. FF6 especially.