The game unfolds in a fictional setting where Daemons from the afterlife invade Earth, causing chaos for humanity. An energy barrier now separates the two realms, changing the sky from blue to gray. You will initially encounter Azura and Galil, two characters with captivating backgrounds and personalities. Azura is a bold young woman who won't hesitate to "slap in the face" anyone showing prejudice. Galil, on the other hand, is all about "having a good time," ensuring the duo remains central to some of the game's more humorous moments.

REMARKABLE ENHANCEMENT OVER THE ORIGINAL GAME

The visuals in Alliance Alive HD Remastered have seen improvements since the 3DS version. The character designs in Sprite 3D are charming, reminiscent of the beloved sprites from the best JRPGs of the 1990s. However, the background textures show a wide range of visual quality. Many outdated, low-resolution textures carried over from the 3DS platform detract from the game's newer, sharper visuals. If you appreciate the portability and aesthetics of the Nintendo Switch, you won't be disappointed; the Switch edition visually matches the PS4 version.

THE BEST OF THE ORIGINAL STORIES HAVE BEEN PRESERVED

The narrative of Alliance Alive HD and its remaster resonates strongly with me. The interactions between characters enrich the game's storyline, allowing it to excel on multiple fronts. Unlike OCTOPATH TRAVELER, whose narrative feels fragmented and disconnected, this game significantly surpasses it. This, coupled with other well-crafted features, facilitates deeper player immersion in the content.

WELL-KNOWN PK MECHANICS: WHAT TO EXPECT

The genre's focus on exploration is a clear example of this. Throughout the adventure, players will tackle challenges spanning the entire role-playing genre, from simply flipping a switch to devising innovative methods of progression. Even if these puzzles aren't particularly challenging, the intriguing aspect is that if you get stuck, you can pay someone a "fee" for assistance. While this design has several drawbacks, it offers a significant advantage: it minimizes distractions from the story when you prefer not to think too hard.

DECIDE WHETHER TO ENGAGE IN BATTLE

Enemies roam freely in the game world, initiating combat if they come within range. However, this design is flawed as it fails to effectively mitigate the frequent random conflict issue. Essentially, the antagonists often blend into the crowd while walking, a tactic used both accidentally and intentionally by the scene's designer. This makes avoiding unwanted conflicts quite challenging.

ENGAGE IN A COMPLEX COMBAT SYSTEM

In essence, the Alliance Alive HD Remastered battle system is easy to grasp