Summary

• Release Year: 1994
• Genres: Role-playing game (RPG)
• Platforms: Super Famicom
• Developers: Japan Art Media
• Publishers: Yanoman

Aretha II: Ariel no Fushigi na Tabi (1994)

Aretha II: Ariel no Fushigi na Tabi (アレサII アリエルの不思議な旅, Aretha II: Ariel’s Mysterious Journey) is a console-style RPG developed and published by Compile for the Super Famicom in 1994. It is the sequel to the 1991 game Aretha. The game was only released in Japan, but a fan translation was released in 2018.

The game’s story follows Ariel, a young woman who is chosen by the goddess Aretha to save the world from the evil sorcerer Zod. Ariel sets out on a journey to collect the four Crystals of Light, which are needed to defeat Zod. Along the way, she is joined by a group of companions, including a swordsman, a thief, and a mage.

Aretha II is a turn-based RPG with a first-person perspective. The player controls Ariel and her companions as they explore the world, fight enemies, and solve puzzles. The game’s combat system is unique in that enemies can attack from the sides, so the player must pay attention to which enemy they are facing.

One of the most interesting features of Aretha II is the ability to forge your own armor. After battles, the player can collect “souls” from enemies. These souls can then be used to forge new armor and weapons at the blacksmith. The type of armor that can be forged depends on the type of souls that are used.

Aretha II is a challenging but rewarding RPG with a unique combat system and a charming story. The game’s graphics are impressive for the Super Famicom era, and the music is catchy and memorable. If you are a fan of RPGs, then Aretha II is definitely worth checking out.

Gameplay

Aretha II is a turn-based RPG with a first-person perspective. The player controls Ariel and her companions as they explore the world, fight enemies, and solve puzzles. The game’s world is divided into a number of different areas, each with its own unique enemies and challenges.

The game’s combat system is unique in that enemies can attack from the sides. This means that the player must pay attention to which enemy they are facing, and position their characters accordingly. The player can also use a variety of different skills and abilities in combat, such as magic spells, sword attacks, and healing potions.

One of the most interesting features of Aretha II is the ability to forge your own armor. After battles, the player can collect “souls” from enemies. These souls can then be used to forge new armor and weapons at the blacksmith. The type of armor that can be forged depends on the type of souls that are used. For example, using fire souls will create fire-resistant armor, while using ice souls will create ice-resistant armor.

Story

The story of Aretha II follows Ariel, a young woman who is chosen by the goddess Aretha to save the world from the evil sorcerer Zod. Zod has kidnapped the four Crystals of Light, which are needed to maintain the balance of the world. Ariel sets out on a journey to collect the crystals and defeat Zod.

Along the way, Ariel is joined by a group of companions, including a swordsman named Kyle, a thief named Rei, and a mage named Sara. Together, they must overcome a variety of challenges and defeat Zod’s minions.

The story of Aretha II is well-written and engaging. The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns. The game’s ending is also satisfying, and it provides a sense of closure to the story.

Graphics and Sound

The graphics of Aretha II are impressive for the Super Famicom era. The game’s world is colorful and detailed, and the characters are well-animated. The game’s cutscenes are also well-done, and they help to advance the story.

The music of Aretha II is catchy and memorable. The game’s soundtrack features a variety of different styles, from upbeat battle themes to somber dungeon themes. The sound effects are also well-done, and they help to create a sense of atmosphere.

Overall

Aretha II is a challenging but rewarding RPG with a unique combat system and a charming story. The game’s graphics are impressive for the Super Famicom era, and the music is catchy and memorable. If you are a fan of RPGs, then Aretha II is definitely worth checking out.

Score: 8.5/10

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

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