Jul 2016
In a world gripped by snow and existential dread, I Am Setsuna holds the title of the saddest ski trip you'll ever take—and I mean that literally. This role-playing game (RPG) from Tokyo RPG Factory is set in a never-ending winter landscape where monsters roam and emotional vulnerability is a must. Following the quiet hero Endir and the fatalistic Setsuna—a girl destined to be sacrificed—you'll explore themes of loss, duty, and just a pinch of despair, all while trudging through a land that seems frozen in more ways than one. Grab your hot cocoa because this review is about to plunge into the icy depths of character arcs and story nuances, along with some whimsical commentary!
The gameplay in I Am Setsuna attempts to channel those nostalgic bits of the classic RPGs from the 90s, specifically invoking memories of the timeless Chrono Trigger. You’ll navigate a top-down world filled with towns, dungeons, and snowy vistas, all while engaging in turn-based battles. The Active Time Battle system gives a nod to tradition, which means players can strategize on the fly as they wrangle with horrifying creatures and the overwhelming sense of existential dread. As Endir, you'll be traversing the snowy landscape while everyone around you seems perfectly okay with the whole sacrifice thing—no pressure at all! Combat features the setting of characters' health and magic—because who doesn’t love looking at meters slowly diminish while enemies coldly stare at you? You can equip ‘Spritnite’ talismans that enable various techs, which reportedly sound way cooler than they are. Spoiler alert: Some of those techs can even combine for thrilling ‘Double Techs!’—because nothing says fantasy adventure like cooperation amid impending doom. And let's not forget those various gauges: there’s a momentum charge that powers up actions, because flee or die should always be a little more beefed up if you can help it! The story segments, peppered in between the action, allow you to grasp on to the character arcs, which is crucial here, considering you’ll need a good emotional blow if the gameplay starts to feel repetitious – not that it ever does, right? Oh wait—yes, yes it does. But don’t worry—the tale deserves your attention as it cleverly unravels.
Visually, I Am Setsuna creates a wintery atmosphere designed to encase players in a thick blanket of bleakness that works wonderfully with its somber tone. Its art is somewhat reminiscent of hand-painted features combined with 3D models, achieving an ethereal quality. Just don’t expect a diverse array of landscapes; after a while, it’s easy to forget what grass looked like, as you cloud-surf in the perpetual snow. The character designs might feel charmingly quaint but get ready for everyone essentially wearing winter jackets throughout! At the end of the day, it serves its purpose; the snowy fields, fog-laden backdrops, and even that tree near the ending scene have an undeniable charm that might make you warm and cold at the same time.
I Am Setsuna isn’t merely an RPG; it’s a journey into the depths of melancholy, sprinkled with hope and nostalgia—like an uphill trek through a snowstorm with no visible end. While the gameplay and aesthetics have their repetitive moments, the emotional weight carried by its music and story arcs are enough to glue players to their seats (often on emotional knees, I might add!). Tokyo RPG Factory has valiantly attempted to recreate the magic of yesteryears with a dash of their flair; however, you may find that aspects such as the low difficulty level may detract from the thrill of adventure. The overall experience resembles a cozy cup of hot chocolate, enveloped in a fluffy blanket, while sobbing for a fictional character. It won’t revolutionize the RPG genre, but it will tug on your heartstrings. Give it a try if you fancy a gloomy escapade, or just want to take a break from your first-person shooter rampages—because sometimes it’s good to feel a little sad, especially when it’s virtual.
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