The Burning Grail by eNSO

 

In a post-apocalyptic world survivors of mankind live in wasteland and ruined cities. The only law in such a chaotic society is a military group calling themselves as 'crusaders'. The organisation fight against 'demons' (that's how they call mutated radiation victims) and rebeling 'heretics'. The opposition is mercilessly burned by a special squad of 'executioners'. The primary goal of crusaders is to discover 'The Burning Grail' which was lost long time ago, the ultimate weapon against their foes.

The main hero Vick is one of the crusaders. He lives in the headquarters with his sister and is quite devoted to his duty. One day during the ordinary scout mission Vick discovers something shocking that forces him to quit crusaders and join the forces with his former enemies...

 

The Burning Grail was originally created for one short RPG contest so it only has like 2–3 hours of gameplay. The game itself is very similar to Riviera on GBA. A single click of directional button sends the hero to the other map, comments on object, etc. 

The game is mostly linear, but there are some optional areas, regarding combat it's based on resource use: you can use different firearms that consume different amounts of ammunition based on how much damage they will cause. I didn't see that some weapons are more effective against certain enemies than others, so it doesn't really matter which one of them to use. You can also attack unarmed to spare ammo or use healing items, and so on. The graphics present classic Rpgmaker sprites, few rips and some edits, to create a post-apocalyptic world apparently inspired by the Fallout series.

 

Download Link

Rpgmaker.net 

Rmarchiv.de 

 

Youtube Longplay

 

Random Fact: aside for the battles, the limited exploration and the linar story, the game includes a single minigame based on car chases that happens a single time during the second half of the game. This is a simple action sequence where Vick has to shoot the pursuers, and it's the only playable sequence that happens in real time and when we have full control.

 

 

Final Verdict: The Burning Grail is an interesting experiment: while I am not too found of linearity and lack of exploration and I missed the possibility to explore every map looking for supplies and interactive items, at the same time I appreciated a lot the idea of making something new and different from the usual Jrpg.The game suffers somewhat from the lack of variety in the combat system. However, the thrilling story and the good writing make up for a lot. It kinda feels like an action movie.

Moon River by BadAlias

 

Past the end of everything, there is a river.

 

You are someone called the Mariner, a sailor who's been out at sea for an incredibly long time. You are headed to Elapse Island, one of the last known places of the world. There, it is said the people only exist in the moonlight, as well as the river that runs through the island: "Moon River."        

 

For whatever reason, the Mariner desperately seeks something at the end of the river. Your goal is to find where Moon River ends.  

 

 

Moon River is a linear adventure divided into a series of mini-chapters, every one defined by a color and representing one of the stops that the Mariner makes while travelling to Elapse Island, one of the last known places of the world and the source of the Moon River. Each time the Mariner will have to meet the locals, search for a pure light and unlock the path to the next destination, until reaching the end of the river. Simple but nice, since these episodes will present different characters (that sometimes will be encountered also in next chapters) and challenges.

Download Link

Itch.io

Rpgmaker.net

Rmarchiv.de 

 

Random Fact: there is an extra download available for some bonus content, check it here: Bonus Content 

It included some unused songs, artworks for the protagonist and other characters, and some tests and sketches about the concepts and maps.

 

 

 

Final Verdict: I consider Moon River a little gem, it's surely a short but good game that illustrates a complete story dividing it in various episodes. You can save anywhere, but there is no risk of death (I think!), you can check your inventory and equipment, but there's really no need to do that (again, I think!) ... in the end this is a game I can recommend if you want to play a cool relaxing adventure that will immerse you in the story without giving great challenges of difficulties. As I wrote before, this game is really good!   

Alter A.I.L.A. Genesis & Alter A.I.L.A. Variant by Neok

 

Alter A.I.L.A. Genesis takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. You play the role of a young man known as Leon, who seeks to survive in the harsh environment he is brought into.

 

Alter A.I.L.A. Genesis is an enhanced, linear RPG Maker 2003 remake of the original Alter A.I.L.A. It removes the multiple-route mechanism in favor of a longer, more humorous plot, adds more art, and completely reworks the combat system. In addition, it expanded the playable cast, and gave them both set names and significant personality changes.

Exploration is done mainly via a side-scrolling view. In certain areas, an exclamation mark will sometimes appear, indicating the presence of hostiles. Press Z when this happens to initiate battle, or wait to let it pass. Sometimes battle will be unavoidable. When walking, enemy encounters won't occur.

The battle system revolves mainly around each character's Abilities, which are a set of commands specific to that character. Abilities require AP and EX to use. AP is gained every time a character takes a turn. The default is 2. EX is gained every time a character uses an Ability. The default is 1. Note that this may change depending on the situation.

Download Link

Rpgmaker.net

Rmarchiv.de 

 

 

Random Fact: the game has a planned sequel called Alter A.I.L.A. Variant. See below for the demo.

Final Verdict: an excellent remake that makes the game more fun and also better looking. Ok, I admit I prefer the old Alter Aila because it's a more traditional and classic sci-fi Rpgmaker2003 game, but it's impossible to deny that Alter Aila Genesis is a game that made everyting better, and my preference of the old (more classic and less refined) gameplay is a matter of taste. The story is excellent and the visuals are very good, this game is clearly a classic for some really good reasons. This is a polished gsme with really nice custom hand drawn graphics and lots of battles. Very good.

 

 

 

EXTRA - Alter A.I.L.A. Variant by Neok: Alter A.I.L.A. Variant takes place in a modern world, 3 years after the events of Alter A.I.L.A. Genesis. 2 years ago, a great war came to a decisive conclusion thanks to the efforts of a small band of people. Peace should have followed, but there are those who would choose to continue fighting. 

 

This game borrows elements from both the two first games: it takes the side-view maps from the prequel Alter A.I.L.A. Genesis, but it also uses dungeons explorations of the first old Alter A.I.L.A. including the wandering enemies. The adventure is divided into a series of missions that the protagonists take from a main hub that acts as the base where the player can manage the party members and their equipments.

Download Link

RpgmakerArchive

Rmarchiv.de 

 

Alter A.I.L.A. by Neok

 

Alter A.I.L.A. takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, on a remote plateau: one of the last remaining land masses above sea level run by the evil Emperor Kugar. You play the role of a young prisoner, Blue, who among others, have had their memories erased, and must now fight for their lives everyday for the entertainment of others. From here, the story can go in 3 separate directions, depending on your choice during the prologue:

 

Rebel: On this route, you'll join up with a rebel faction created to stop the dictatorship of Kugar, the overlord. Your motives are ultimately summed up in overthrowing Kugar and establishing peace and human rights for all.
Imperial: On this route, you'll support Kugar's regime, and work towards crushing the rebellion. All resistance must be terminated.
Independent: On this route, you won't join up with either side. Whoever rules does not matter to you. Your one goal is to be free.  

 

Completing all three will unlock the fourth Innovator route, that is considered the true path, that explains everything about what is going on and leads to the real ending of the story. 

Alter A.I.L.A. is a futuristic adventure/rpg where we play as Blue, that act as a side character for most of the path, except for the fourth innovator route where he becomes a real protagonist. He possess the Analyze ability that is useful to learn the enemies' weaknesses, very important in battles that for the rest is what you can expect from a classic Rpgmaker game, with a party of three characters with different skills.

Expect also puzzles and secrets, but the game also stand out for its original graphics and custom made battlers, besides its incredible dark and futuristic atmosphere. 

 

the game was remade into an upgraded version, Alter A.I.L.A. Genesis. But for that game you will have to wait tomorrow!

Download Link

Rpgmaker.net

Rmarchiv.de 

 

TvTropes 

 

 

Random Fact: the Doors Puzzle was difficult for many players, luckily Neok provided a handy help here: Doors Puzzle guide

Final Verdict: the strong points of this game are the originality of the story, and the setting. While the gameplay pales in comparison to Alter Aila Genesis, this is still a solid entry and a good sci-fi/cyberpunk game that will deliver hours of fun. The weak points are probably the force replayability and the old styled boring combat, anyway this game has still its charm (even if, as already said, probably the re-made version is better under every aspect EXCEPT maybe for the presence of only one single route!).

Despite its flaws this game has its merita and has a special place for me but the quality of this work is clear. It's all quite good, but the story and the narrative are especially noteworthy.

Pilgrim's Road by Sidewinder

 

Seventy five years have passed since the great atomic fires nearly scoured all life from the planet. Mutants, twisted by radiation and disease lurk in the shadows of mankind's once great buildings, while gangs rummage through the wastelands, preying on anyone weaker than them.

 

You play as a junker; a drifter with no place left to call home, wandering from ruin to ruin, salvaging anything of value. A passing merchant told you of a great iron tower in the middle of the New Mexican desert, where clean water and electricity can still be found, and who's denizens pay handsomely for any salvaged technology. With nowhere else to go, you've resolved to find this strange city.

 

Will you be able to solve the mysteries of the post-apocalyptic wasteland? Or will you die alone and forgotten in the desert?

 

 

Pilgrim's Road is an adventure with visual novel and rpg elements that is inspired by old CRPGs: half of the game is played in first person, after from a top down visual, the first is used during dialogues and battles, the second during exploration of both dungeons and settlements. The game borrows the style from the Fallout series with its retro talking heads and the custom interface. There are no experience levels, all upgrades are bought or earned, so there is no option to grind for experience.

 

The game in 2019 won the Misao for Best Event Game.

Download Link

Rmarchiv.de

Rpgmaker.net Archive 

 

Random Fact: Pilgrim's Road is an event game that was created for the Abrupt Ending Party Event at RMK, and this is the reason why it's pretty short and simple. Anyway the game has TWO endings: the abrupt ending that was required for the event AND a true ending that requires four skills (to earn it you have to start with Int 17 and the needed skills, but I think it's pretty easy to understand whose skills are).

 

 

Final Verdict: this is a short but good game, the plot is simple but I liked that some things are mentioned but never clearly explained, leaving a lot of mystery about the setting and the characters that live in this bleak world. I liked these details, the foreshadowing, the narrative, but the main and best aspect is probably the style and graphics.

Skydancer 2: ONI by Uran & Polakko (italian)

 

Five years have passed since the events of the first game and the end of Tatsuke Sanji's story. The little Kotaro is now studying martial arts under the guide of Koji Takana, Shin's older brother, while Gunner is exploring the wasteland ruins with the hacker Shoki.
Shin Tanaka, that mysteriously disappeared at the end of the first game returns too, and this time he will have to gather his friends to face a new menace.

 

 

Skydancer 2 was never officially released, but a complete beta version was made available by the authors. It adds some new features like real-time combat and new character and abilities, however it is still very similar to the first game, even if half of the cast is new. Unfortunately this sequel wasn't translated.

 

Download Link

Rmarchiv.de

 

Random Fact: a reboot of the Skydancer series is in the works, so this is probably the reason why Skydancer 2 was never really finished.

 

 

Final Verdict: with few additions, this is a neat game but more like more of the same compared to the first. Naturally, if you liked that one, you will love this game too!

Skydancer by Uran & Polakko, Shinquest by Uran & Vinc90

 

Neo Tokyo is ruled by a self-proclaimed emperor: Seijuro Godha, who easily obtained the consent of its inhabitants with a promise to restore the island to its original pre-war splendor through a precisely very ambitious reconstruction project called: Heaven Prime. The protagonist is Tatsuke Sanji, a future samurai equipped with a laser katana and a mecha arm that is the leader of the rebels that oppose Godha. His adventures will lead him to meet Shin Tanaka, a fearsome master of a deadly martial art that involves the use of Ki energy to hit his opponents: the "Denryoku jutsu".

 

Skydancer is not a classic Rpgmaker game since it has a distinct post apocalyptic futuristic setting with some elements clealry taken by the Fist of the North Star Anime series. Moreover the game adds a sort of quicktime event system to combat, making it more dynamic, but luckily there is still the option to lower the difficulty of the reaction time attacks. The game includes some ripped sprites but also lots of original artworks, edits and even voiced characters in battles.

 

Download Link

Indiexpo.net

Rpgmaker.net

Rmarchiv.de

 

 

Random Fact: before Skydancer, there was Shinquest. This game was originally created for a contest, had a totally different story and a more classic rpgmaker combat system, but characters and resources were in part the same used for Skydancer, that was a sort of reboot. Anyway see below for this first untranslated prototype.
 

Final Verdict: Skydancer is and impressive games made by someone who really liked the old 80s anime. While I wasn't a fan of the new "action-style" combat system, since I hate quicktime events, this took years to be made and the final result is pretty much impressive! A 30 hours complete game with lots of characters, places and battles.

 

 

 

EXTRA - Shinquest Broken Memories by Uran & Vinc90: the prototype of Skydancer, but the story is quite different. Instead of focusing on Sanji, the cyber-samurai, it features Shin Tanaka as the main protagonist. In Skydancer he was demoted to a side-character, but he's still very important to the plot. In any case the story is quite different, the locations aren't the same, and while some characters of Skydancer appear here too, it's a totally different story. This game was never translated into english.

 

Shinquest is a post-apocalyptic adventure game that uses a classic Rpgmaker combat system, but enhances the battles with some custom made animated battlers for both characters and opponents. Mapping is also well done, but it's a little less balanced than Shinquest, it's also shorter and simpler, but also includes some quicktime events.

 

Download Link

Indiexpo.net

 

Random Fact: this game, made for a contest at the Rpg2s forums, was intended to be the first of a trilogy, and was initially subtitled Orochi's Legacy. The idea was a blend of Fallout and Naruto, in any case only this first game was completed, and then totally rebooted as Skydancer.

 

 

Final Verdict: despite being a complete game, the gameplay is a little rough, the junkyard per is in fact pretty annoying due to the large number of repetitive battles. In any case it's a complete story that can be enjoyable since it focuses on a different character in different situations. Not a bad starting point.

Grissan by Spirit Young

Grissan is a cowboy that seems a hybrid between Chuck Norris and Roland Deschain from The Dark Tower Series. Like Roland, in fact, our Grissan travels through a land populated by mutants and zombies. A ghost warns Grissan that an evil creatures, the Deity, wants him dead. So our hero starts his hunt.
I warn you that this game is an exaggerate parody with strong language and some politically incorrect situations: for example Grissan is a violent badass that heals sniffing "magic marching powder". The complete adventure lasts for about one hour.

Grissan is a short game that has more in common with the choose-your-own-adventure games than to rpgs: this is a series of battles interspersed with the occasional dialogue and choice, for example in some parts we can choose to trade with some vendor or decide which path Grissan will take to reach Deity. In some cases it's possible to fight more battles for extra loot, but there are no experience points nor levels, and Grissan will upgrade his stats during some specific points (like when finding some steroids). It's a short and peculiar game.

Download Link

Rpgmaker.net

Rmarchiv.de 

Random Fact: Grissan uses a single map, and everything happens on battle backgrounds, including all the dialogues. We only see Grissan's and the other people faces in the portraits, but the visual is always in first person. Despite this, the use of various sprites, animations and sounds really makes the game more dynamic.

Final Verdict: Grissan is not a classic or even game that can be taken seriously, it's cheesy, has many typos and even the name and title is often mispelled during the game. Despite this it's still and enjoyable parody with some funny moments.