Board 8 > Live-A-Live Review Zone

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://opencritic.com/game/13434/live-a-live

Everyone's favorite unlocalized 1994 JRPG is back in HD-2D! Averaging an 80 so far on OC with 12 reviews (82 on MC with 29 reviews). If you're a fan of SNES Squaresoft RPGs you really have no reason not to check this out. You play as 7 different main characters across different eras of the timeline and they eventually come together to stop whatever the evil they gotta face. I've never played the game myself so I have no idea!

Game Informer - 9/10
Well never know how Live A Live would have fared in the U.S. back in the day. Flash forward nearly three decades, and I cant recommend this revitalized relic enough. Its that good. This is another must-play Switch RPG that entertains in ways I didnt expect and kept me glued to the screen for well over 20 hours.

IGN - 9/10
Live A Live is a fascinating JRPG time machine thats getting its dues at last thanks to a remake that brings out the best in its seven stories, strong combat, and unusual structure.

Nintendo Insider - 9/10
Ill admit, this was an incredibly subversive game for its era, one that might not hit as well as it did for some compared to me. Im able to appreciate it as both a game from the 90s and just a game. But Im sure a lot of creatives in Japan were inspired by this, and those inspirations had to have bled into their work. You will have likely seen parts of its unique twists on the genres it plays with elsewhere, but I found that to be an endearing trait. It feels fitting that a compilation of clear passion and inspiration has trickled down to other games. The impact of Live A Live has seemingly never gone away, and thats beautiful.

Twinfinite - 9/10
I implore anyone who enjoyed JRPGs of the 90s, especially the ones by Square itself, to give Live A Live a try. Its filled to the brim with variety, humor, and interesting narratives. It may not be perfect or surpass your childhood favorites, but fans of the genre will find a place in their hearts for it nonetheless.

Gamespot - 8/10
I truly loved my experience playing Live A Live. The gameplay and narrative variety, incredible visuals, and superb soundtrack kept me enthralled throughout my 30-hour journey. I still feel like the game has a few secrets and little story bits I may have overlooked. It's quite the accomplishment that, almost 30 years later, Live A Live still manages to surprise, subvert, and enthrall. Those timeless qualities make it well worth your attention, now and likely for years to come.

NintendoLife - 8/10
Live A Live has been well worth the long wait. This remake reintroduces an influential, unique JRPG to the wider world with aplomb, with a cacophony of different gameplay styles, music, and visuals that somehow hang together beautifully. Despite looking like Octopath Traveler and perfecting the HD-2D visual style, you'd do well to remember that this is still a Super Famicom RPG, with many of the frustrations that come with 90s RPGs still intact in this remake. Still, we admire that Square Enix decided not to change too much with this remake, instead delivering an authentic and faithful update to the game that the majority of players outside Japan missed nearly three decades ago. This is a piece of gaming history we have loved getting to experience for the first time.

Nintendo World Report - 7/10
If it was Live A Live that allowed Takashi Tokita and his work on Chrono Trigger to soar, then of course it was worth it. In this present day chapter, for my money, I'm looking ahead to the next Square remake.

Glad it's reviewing well!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro6D-MFbwog

I'm just glad I now know how I'm supposed to pronounce the game's title

The SNES version was great. Looking forward to playing it again!

LeonhartFour posted...

I'm just glad I now know how I'm supposed to pronounce the game's title

should be easy since it rhymes with Five Alive tbqh

now I just have to stop conflating it with date a live

Great to hear! I'm picking it up after work tomorrow!

I started playing it and chose the present day chapter and like half an hour later credits rolled

looked it up and I guess I just happened to choose the really short one first, but I was thinking for a minute there that this game would be like five hours long

Yeah Present is probably the shortest. It's probably a 20-30 hour game altogether.