One chapter has you teaching a pupil moves, another has you learning moves from having them used on you. Even when there are levels to be gained it is never quite the same way. Some have a lot more combat than others, some keep you at a set level, and some you’ll have to do some level grinding.

No chapter feels quite like the others, yet in all of them, you will utilise the turn-based grid system for combat. Some can wrap up much faster, depending on how fast you can work out the puzzle elements. It is essentially all thriller, no filler as each chapter tells its story and gets out. At least with the different ways the chapters are played, every time isn’t just grinding out levels for a heap of fights. Because you’re playing as different characters each chapter, you’re also starting from scratch every time. Live A Live’s chapters only take a few hours, but with seven main chapters it adds up quickly. While on their own there is little to connect them, Square manages to bring it all together in a neat way. The master who wants to find and train his successor or the fighter who learns new moves from having them used on them. There’s also a prehistoric era chapter, where there is no text dialogue, just grunts and pictures. The story for each chapter is different from the others, and utilises different game styles to reflect the story being told.įor example, there’s a stealth chapter, sneaking through the enemy’s stronghold without being seen and killing enemies. You’re initially given a choice from seven chapters representing a different main character and time period. It is presented as more of an anthology with some interconnecting parts. Live A Live isn’t a traditional Square game. It’s time to make up for lost time and live Live A Live. Over the years, I’ve played all kinds of SNES-era RPGs, yet I never really knew about Live A Live.

Square’s (now Square Enix) Super Famicom RPG Live A Live in nearly 30 years since release, it has never received an official English translation until now! Not only is it now available for everyone, but it’s also the lucky recipient of the HD-2D treatment.

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