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Review of Actraiser Renaissance on Nintendo Switch

by Gemma Looksby Gemma Looksby photo Sep 2021
Cover image of Actraiser Renaissance on Switch
Gamefings Score: 8.5
Platform: Switch Switch logo
Released: 23 Sep 2021
Genre: Platform, City-building, Action RPG, God game
Developer: Quintet
Publisher: Square Enix

Introduction

Greetings, fellow gamers! Today, we dive into the heavenly realm of "Actraiser Renaissance," the remake of the beloved 1990 classic. Picture this: you're a god, and your duty is to build civilizations while slaying evil monsters. Sounds like a heavenly job, right? But wait, there's platforming too! It's like SimCity meets a 2D action platformer-with a sprinkle of divine intervention. So, grab your angel wings and your lightning bolts; we're about to embark on a journey that proves gaming really can be divine!

Gameplay

In Actraiser Renaissance, players take on the role of "The Master"-an absentee god who spends a little too much time snoozing in his celestial palace. You'll primarily control an angel and a human statue to interact across two gameplay styles: the godly simulation and the zany side-scrolling action. First up, we've got the god simulation where you oversee growing civilizations. Here, you wave your magic wand-err, I mean, divine powers-like you're a real estate agent in heaven, helping villagers build homes and fend off annoying monsters. Seriously, these monsters need to find a hobby! After charming your way through city planning and laying down some heavenly miracles like rain and lightning (talk about a power trip), it's time to switch gears! Enter the action sequences, where your human statue comes to life. This statue runs, jumps, and slays-making every attempt to keep those pesky monsters in check. It feels like a retro platformer where every jump challenges your timing and precision. You'll be fighting crazy bosses that look like they came straight out of myth and legend. You'd have to be something special to face off against a freaky manticore after managing urban development. (No pressure!) And let's not forget the crowd-pleaser-a post-game added level! It's like dessert after an awesome meal. You finish everything, and then you get to enjoy the sweet taste of victory as you unlock new content and features!

Graphics

Now, let's take a moment to appreciate the visuals. Actraiser Renaissance gives the original graphics a fresh coat of heavenly paint. We're talking high-definition graphics that make the world burst with color. It's like someone took the original pixel art and invited it to a glow-up party. Backgrounds are vibrant, and character designs are detailed, making it visually engaging for both new players and nostalgic fans. It's brighter than my future on a Friday night, and that's saying something!

Conclusion

Overall, Actraiser Renaissance is a delightful blend of nostalgia and innovation. It manages to capture the essence of the original while adding layers of fun and modern graphics. Whether you're into god games, platformers, or just a solid mix of both, this game is worthy of a spot on your Switch. The perfect potion of divine mischief awaits, so don't forget to bring your sense of humor and your best growth strategies. From the development of a civilization to taking down mythical beasts, this game is a heavenly experience. In fact, I'd say it's a celestial 8.5 out of 10! So, grab your controller and fulfill your glorious godly duties-after all, the master must not sleep forever!

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