Nostalgia, as its name suggests, is a throwback to JRPGs of old. This is an interesting concept, but in today’s age of innovation in RPGs, the game feels extremely archaic and uninspired. The game, developed by Red Entertainment and Matrix Software, is set in an alternate history 19th century Earth during an age of steam, airships, magic, and adventure. The main character of the game is Eddie Brown, the son of a famous adventurer who has gone missing. Eddie takes his father’s airship and leaves on an adventure to find out what happened to his father. Along the way, Eddie meets Pad, a street urchin; Melody, a magician girl from a secluded town of magicians; and Feona, a girl with mysterious powers.
In the game, you fly your airship to such locales as London, New York, and Tokyo, as well as places of legend such as the Tower of Babel and the city of El Dorado. These settings really set the game apart as unique, and what I liked most about the game. There was something really cool about visiting cities that really do exist, rather than fantasy cities. If I had one complaint about the cities, it is that they are all really small. There is not much to explore in the cities other than the standard RPG fare of an inn, item shop, armor and weapon shops, and tavern.
The battle system is the standard turn-based battle system that’s been used in so many RPGs. There are two types of battles: on-foot battles within dungeons and airship battles when traveling the world map. While the idea of using an airship to battle is cool, the airship battles are not too different from the on-foot battles and use the same mechanics. Both types of battles can easily be won just by choosing attack over and over again and choosing to heal when you get low on HP. There really is not a strategic aspect to the battles. In a market with games like the Shin Megami Tensei games where the battles keep you on your toes, Nostalgia’s battles are just not up to scratch.
The characters and plot seem to be very cookie-cutter. Eddie and the crew, as well as all the NPCs and villains all seem very generic. For RPGs, memorable characters really make the game. Nostalgia’s characters all seem uninspired. They are the generic RPG archetypes you’ve seen time and time again. As for the plot, the story starts out unique and adventurous. It soon turns into a generic “boy and his friends save world from evil” plot, though.
There are numerous side quests in the game that offer more adventures. These side quests net you more experience, money, and items. However, these really don’t do much more than make an easy game even easier.
As far as graphics goes, they are very colorful and crisp, and are some of the best on the DS. The environments are beautiful and lush with detail for a DS game. Character models are shown in a tasteful chibi-style which is reminiscent of the 2D sprites of old-school RPGs.
Overall, Nostalgia is a solid RPG. It just isn’t a great RPG. Besides the unique setting, it really has nothing unique or new to offer. The characters, story, and battle system are nothing new. If you are new to RPGs, then this is a good starter RPG. If you are a fan of alternate history games or steampunk, then give this game a try. If you’re looking for a deep, challenging RPG, then look somewhere else.
Nostalgia is in stores now and is rated E for everyone.
