Developer: Atlus, Headlock
Publisher: Atlus
Release: 2010
Platform: Nintendo DS (played), 3DS
Genre: RPG
Time travel-based narratives are prone to plot holes, deal-breaking twists and inherent inconsistency problems, and Radiant Historia is no exception to that; but the game falls short from being stellar not on behalf of those.
Ambitious as it is for a portable exclusive release, the game is rough around the edges--and it shows. Sometimes it’s just about minor cosmetic details, like the lack of diagonal sprites/animations; other times more important issues surface, as the unreliable hit detection--or worse, when bad stats balancing (like poisoning damage hurting more than a full direct hit, or weaknesses being rendered irrelevant too frequently) almost break the innovative positioning/combo battle system.
 |
| Portraits/character design are gorgeous overall |
But if a JRPG--especially one with a time gimmick at its core--is at least 50% story, players who come for that will be neatly served. The characters are strong and believable (and gorgeously presented while at it), the heavy focus on politics is well explored and creates a timeless relatable setting and the plot is interesting enough to make up for the false “choose your path” pitch (both main and alternative timelines will have to be explored eventually, like it or not). And even if the game isn’t Chrono Trigger-tier the heavenly Yoko Shimomura’s score makes it feel almost so.
Not without its shortcomings, Radiant Historia is still well worth the ride for focusing on what matters most as a trusty representative of the tradition it’s part of.
