Most people will have never heard of this game (Mainly because not everyone plays games on a Smartphone) but thanks to Kemco Global and Kotobuki Solution Co for releasing these around the world, we do.
Asdivine Hearts is a very straight forward JRPG that has a good tale and pretty solid gameplay, so how well does it do? Let’s find out.
STORY:
A.H has you play as orphans Zack and Stella, who start the journey out by setting free a wildcat that they have been raising in the orphanage where they live. While doing that, they end up not only fending off a monster while doing that, but also encounter the Light Deity.
When the Deity tries to merge with Zack, it ends up taking over the wildcat instead, to the displeasure of Zack, Stella and of course, the deity. Going by the name of Felix, they end up going on a journey to helping the Light Deity gain back their power, while also stopping the Shadow Deity from destroying the world.
While the story isn’t ground-breaking, or anything new, it does offer it’s twists and turns that will keep you hooked in enough to keep you playing till it ends.
So, for story, I give it: 3 out of 5
GRAPHICS:
With a smartphone game like this, you would expect a high-end powerhouse of a game (Somewhat), however that isn’t the case.
With said graphics being based on a 2D classic JRPG, it actually helps it, rather than hinders it, and that’s a good thing. If it was high-end graphics, you would need the latest smartphone to play it, but since it’s not, it allows more people to play the game, and not be hindered to any specifications.
So, for graphics, I give it: 3.5 out of 5.
GAMEPLAY:
Being a stereotypical 2D JRPG, you would think there isn’t much to do in this game, but it turns out you’re wrong.
One neat system that they have is the ‘Jewel System’. With this, you can customise each of the characters (5 in total) with various abilities that they can use, from increased stats, to doing a certain status effect on the enemy, to preventing one yourself, etc. Earn enough and you can even Synthesise them to make better jewels than the ones you have.
Battle formations also come into play too, allowing the characters to gain certain boosts while in a certain formation. You unlock them as you find them, not while experimenting (Sadly), but every little bit helps.
Having the ‘Auto-Battle’ function helps too, allowing all of your characters just attack the enemies (Simple Attack function) and speed up battles in general, but what’s also good is the Trust System. This meter slowly builds up (By defeating enemies and doing Overkill damage, essentially doing more hits to the enemy when they should be dead)
Speaking of the Trust System, during certain events, you can talk to the party members as Zack to build up a happiness meter as it were for each member (More will be explained later) and increase it, or decrease it.
These functions allow this game to be unique in every way, and feel fresh at the same time.
So, for gameplay, I give it: 4 out of 5
LONGEVITY:
I will say this, the main story isn’t as long as I thought it was.
Having said that, I did decide to do the Easy setting on this one, but you can choose from Easy, Normal, Hard and Expert, each one of course, getting harder and harder as you go, so that’s good, the Easy setting allowed me to finish the main story in 12 hours or so (With side quests too) so it won’t take up as many hours as you think.
Despite that, there are in fact different endings that you can obtain (via the happiness meter for each party member) unlocking certain scenes between each member and Zack when you finish the game, so multiple playthroughs as needed to see each one, plus there’s also the extended story on top of the current one.
See, when you finish the main story, you can of course beat the final boss again, but it gives you a different option to use when beating said boss. Selecting that option unlocks more story to do in the game, and in essence, more endings.
Worth mentioning that I haven’t finished the game in that mode, but so far it’s taking me more time to do that, so it does add more time onto your playthrough.
So, for longevity, I give it: 4 out of 5
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Asdivine Hearts is certainly no slouch when it comes to your 2D Smartphone JRPG, adding a lot of bang for your buck. One thing that is worth mentioning is that despite it being a Smartphone game, it does offer IAP (In-App purchases) but it certainly isn’t necessary to beat the game, at all. Heck, it’s only there to allow you to get different items, and you can get them by playing the game.
This is one game that is worth your time, patience, and enjoyment. With the smartphone market being flooded by mediocre JRPGs, it’s a very good thing that I found Kemco and Kotobuki to be very reliable with their releases, this isn’t going to be their only game I review, and certainly won’t be the last, now if I can only steer myself away from this game so I can play their other titles.
FINAL SCORE: 3.5 out of 5
RATING: Get this title: Your device will be thankful.
Mr Western
Mr Western's Gaming Blog 