Much has been made of the launch line-up for the Nintendo Switch, with some describing it as underwhelming and lacking in exciting software besides The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild. That's certainly debatable, and one game that may have slipped under some people's radars is I Am Setsuna, a JRPG that hearkens back to the days of Chrono Trigger on the SNES in terms of both its gameplay mechanics and battle system. The title originally released for the PlayStation 4 and PC in July of last year, but this release marks its first appearance on a Nintendo platform. But does this nostalgic trip down a somewhat familiar lane provide us with a compelling enough reason to divert our attention away from other launch titles?
Tokyo RPG Factory's debut title takes us to a world overrun by snow and demons, which are hungry for their next human sacrifice to appease an ancient custom. The young girl Setsuna is chosen as the next forfeit. However, this tale is told from the point of Endir, a mercenary who at the beginning of the game is handed the task of killing Setsuna himself. Deals are struck and you begin a pilgrimage to the Last Lands, though we'll let you experience more story specifics in the game. It's a rather simple premise that may borrow a bit too much from Final Fantasy X, but add in a couple of twists and turns of its own and you've got a journey that's worth taking, for the most part.
Some limited dialogue options let you shape Endir's personality and relationships with other characters to make the trip a little more meaningful, but they never have a direct effect on the actual story. Couple this with a few hidden side missions towards the end of the game and I Am Setsuna has all the groundwork of a great role-playing game in terms of its plot, characters and world building; yet it doesn't build upon this to his its full potential. Don't get us wrong, the expedition is enjoyable enough from beginning to end, but it all feels a little paper thin in some aspects.
In contradiction to this, the majority of I Am Setsuna's meat and bones can be found in its combat system, which takes clear inspiration from Chrono Trigger. Every enemy is viewable on the map which completely eliminates random encounters, and you won't come across any foes in the over-world either. The game uses the active time battle system, which means you must wait for a gauge to fill up and then that particular character can take their turn. From here you're presented with a few different options: a simple attack, the tech option which includes more powerful moves that use MP, or you can use an item for healing or different buffs.
Time management plays a big part in this process as your enemies are operating on the exact same time gauge, so take too long in a menu selecting a specific attack and they could sneak in a second strike before you do. But there's also a benefit to waiting, as each time a separate, smaller meter fills up you gain a momentum point which can be cashed in to make your next attack much more powerful. This creates an intricate balance between waiting and letting your characters' power up and not taking too long so that your combatant doesn't get a second hit.
As a further layer of depth, triggering the use of a momentum point also has the chance of activating a singularity. These are random events that can change the tide of battle if one activates, but they are impossible to plan around. You can have a degree of influence on how often they occur, and when they do you could get bonuses such as a rapidly replenishing ATB gauge, a boost to the rate that you make a critical hit, or an attack that damages all elemental types. It's a great feeling when one of these triggers because the battle becomes a pretty much guaranteed win, but relying on them in cases of a boss battle will severely hinder you as their mobilisation comes down to pure luck.
Outside of combat the game follows the typical tropes of the RPG genre. You'll travel from town to town, recruit new party members, level up your characters and trade with townsfolk for better weapons and equipment. Much like its story, it's here where I Am Setsuna plays it safe. It is indeed a throwback to the RPGs of old, but at some point that becomes a bit of a detriment. Outside of the plot twists, the game very rarely does something you didn't expect.
One of the most striking elements, however, is its setting, a collection of islands that are covered from head to toe in snow. It definitely sets a different sort of vibe compared to an RPG that may only have one snowy area, and it's one that feels welcoming and comforting. Combine this with the soothing piano tunes that make up the entirety of the soundtrack, and you've got the perfect game to curl up in bed with.
In actual fact, the Nintendo Switch's handheld mode feels like the perfect way to play I Am Setsuna. The game compliments the portability and small screen nature of the system perfectly, but unfortunately the title isn't really designed for quick play sessions. Save points are very infrequent and the game lacks any autosave feature, so a quick 20 minute period on the bus probably won't result in any progress being made. If you're taking this one out and about, make sure you've got plenty of time in order to reach that next save point, or rely on leaving your system in sleep with the game open.
Conclusion
As an ode to the RPGs of the past, I Am Setsuna succeeds in recreating the sort of adventure you experienced on older Nintendo hardware. Its combat system is the main supplier of this nostalgia, with the deep active time battle system, the number of weapons and moves you can perform, and the time management aspect.
But those not looking to take a trip down memory lane may be left wanting more, though in pure gameplay hours this offers a reasonable return on investment. The no-thrills plotline and gameplay outside of combat could have been fleshed out, leaving this one short of its full potential. I Am Setsuna could be the perfect complement to your Nintendo Switch, but if you're not foaming at the mouth with nostalgia it's certainly an optional purchase.
Comments 79
I will wait until I am done with "Breath of the Wild" . I thing I will be importing the retail Japanese version. Region free in 2017, good times ahead!
@Shiryu does that have an English option or no?
@Setery10 Absolutely, yes.
Eventually there will be loads of games like this on switch,just like there is on Vita and 3ds... Won't be long now before there are a few Final Fantasy games and spin-offs
I am really undecided on this i thought it would be a bit cheaper and it sounds enjoyable but perhaps maybe not that amazing
It's 2017 and I guess save points still exist...
A decently fun RPG, hopefully Tokyo RPG Factory improve on this game with a better entry on their next project. I'm just glad I got it for play on the go.
@Phantom_R I kinds miss save points. They bring about a sort of tension that I don't feel with modern RPGs.
Would be great if you could make some kind of comment on how each Switch game performs battery-wise. I'm guessing this would be way less intense than Zelda...but it's hardly simple graphics. shrug How is everyone else going with it battery-wise?
Setsuna is pronounced "Seh-tsoo-nah".
I am really enjoying this game. I love the art work. Has a final fantasy super nintendo feel. The game could use more color but its still great.
@invictus4000 Yeah. With emphasis on the first syllable and NOT the second.
When I'm done with BOTW on the WiiU and move on to Switch, I'll definitely pick this up. It looks like an enjoyable experience, and I really like the art style. While save points don't lend themselves to mobile gaming, I love the tension they bring in an RPG.
So it's alright but nothing special.
I will be either buying this or Shovel Knight after Breath of the Wild. I am going to do my best for one game at a time, I still have to big of a back log to beat =(
Im not a zelda fan so trying to decide if its worth me picking this up or wait for something else. was also considering shovel knight
Kinda want to buy this now to support third party efforts, but I'm inclined to wait for a price drop. I do really want it one way or another though.
I'd heard that this game wasn't super amazing, and it looks like that's the case. I'm more than happy to not be buying this one.
I will be purchasing this as soon as my Switch arrives. I was very excited when I heard it was coming for Switch as I like to play jrpgs on handhelds and I had gotten rid of my Vita.
I feel like this game deserves better from JRPG fans. It's not anything groundbreaking, but it isn't trying to be. At a $40 asking price, you have that is better than any JRPG on the 3DS in terms of production value, with its main draw being classic, comfortable, gameplay of the old style games.
@Ps4all
Should have kept your vita for Jrpg,there are loads on it with many more announced that will be exclusive
@Shiryu are you positive that the Japanese Cartridge has an english track?
I imported the Japanese version from Amazon Japan for just $43.50. It's the exact same version with English option.
The eShop version would have been $42 after tax. Why not spend an extra buck for a retail version.
@Gold_Ranger
It does. It has the exact same English option as western versions. I just imported myself.
@Gold_Ranger No, that was not what I meant. I am certain it has English text option.
@JaxonH
How did you import yourself?
Also, thanks for the confirmation.
I'll be getting it next check!
I went overboard on the switch...
Switch
Red joycon set
Red straps
Pro controller
128gb card
Zelda Special Edition
5 breath of the wild amiibo
New tv stand as it became overcrowded
Hdmi switch as my tv only has 3, i need 7...
@Gold_Ranger
Amazon Japan.
https://www.amazon.co.jp/スクウェア-エニックス-いけにえと雪のセツナ/dp/B01N5R9QT6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488734466&sr=8-1&keywords=I+Am+Setsuna+Switch
You'll need a separate Amazon account for JP. Just sign up, link your payment and address. Probably wanna use this English link so you know what you're doing
https://www.amazon.co.jp/In-English/b?ie=UTF8&node=1094656
Ya, I went overboard too lol. You don't even want to know all the stuff I bought, trust me lol. Let's just say it's over $1000 total 😃
When I first heard of this game, I was pretty pumped for it. After the review, this is me;
http://www.imgflip.com/i/1ktov2
Nice review, I'll get this when I get a Switch.
1 2 switch is better
@yoshinatsu Oh, really? I've actually never played the game. That's just how the pronounciation would be in Japanese. Thanks for the footnote. Haha
@lemonjellydude If you're not a Zelda fan, you may actually really enjoy BotW still. It's SO different than any other Zelda that it isn't comparable. Think Super Mario World vs Mario 64. Both are very much a Mario game, and both amazing, but you simply can't compare the two as it would be like apples and oranges.
Wait, so does this game compliment the Switch or complement the Switch? The review says both in the span of the last three paragraphs.
I have this on the list but it isn't a must have for me.
@JaxonH
Yeah that is cool how you imported yourself. Id like to hear about that too.
@Phantom_R Save Points aren't necessarily an archaic or outdated game mechanic. Used effectively, they can generate a sense of progression and also focus, where you have to move forward a certain amount before finding the next moment to save, encouraging you to explore more per play session than you might have initially intended.
It can also be used for difficulty purposes - if you can save anywhere, anytime, then that can bring down the difficulty level of the game, allowing you to essentially never lose any progress if you are defeated.
Save Points are not a relic of the past, but a tool that can be useful to some developers in the right scenarios.
I love the Japanese feel, it's kinda nostalgic in a way! Looks like a great game!
@Priceless_Spork
Usually when I import for Vita I go with PAL versions if possible, and if no PAL version then English Asian version.
But with Switch all the Asian versions so far have been Chinese only. Thankfully, some Japanese versions have English options, unlike Vita
I Am Setsuna can be found at the link I posted above, also Puyo Puyo Tetris but, I'd rather wait for localized version. Everyone should sign up and link payment for Amazon Japan now that Switch is region free, as well as Play-Asia. And I'd recommend making a 2nd Nintendo Account with Japan as country of residence, then linking to a 2nd user on Switch for JP eShop access. I downloaded the DQ HEROES I & II demo. Framerate is a little janky but, still good fun. Boss fight at the end was excellent. All 3 of my team mates died, but managed to barely beat him with a sliver of life left.
@TadpoleSHero Valid points, but in my experience, save points have mostly just been a way of forcing me to play a game longer than I want to, or longer than I physically can. You can't hold an audience captive and expect to engender good will in them...
@invictus4000 cheers for the advice i may get it at some point i have never really got into the 3d zeldas wasnt a massive fan of ocarina of time tbh and havent played any of the others. I am setsuna looks more my thing im just unsure as it seems to of had quite middling reviews and is about £10 more expensive than i thought.
@EvilDucktator my 1st day I got about 2.5 h use of Zelda and setup and battery down to 40%. I recharged and am going to kill battery on portable mode to see. Played about an 1.5 h so far but been in sleep mode since I am working today. But I have a break soon and will be playing more after work too
Decent game, but I wouldn't pay $40 for it.
Maybe if it drops to $20... but by that point you might as well get it on steam. Get this if you MUST have the portability.
$40 is too much for me. Also, what am I even doing here? I should be playing more BotW.
@invictus4000 This. I never was a Zelda master, let alone a big fan. But Breath of the Wild is its own beast and I'm adoring it. It feels like the Zelda I never knew I pined for!
I bought I Am Setsuna, flaws and all, and will olay it when I have time. I needed an old-school JRPG-like game to scratch an itch.
Yeah um.....a digital download only for 39.99....No thanks! I don't care if they consider this retail since it has a cartridge in Japan. They decided no cartridge for North America, Cut your cost on Manufacturing for north America and then try to double dip on us....Again No thanks! It might be a great game but it's the principle of the matter. I think if these guys are going to skip manufacturing and Switch to Digital a 19.99 to 24.99 might be more appropriate. That's just me. For those of you who bought it I'm sure your having a great time but I want the cartridge and package if not only to maybe use as trade in later and recoup some gaming money. Seriously though this is double dipping right here with this game.
I definitely will look into importing the game if it does have the English option.
I believe it's pronounced "Setsna" 'U's in the middle of Japanese words tend not to be spoken.
Sounds nice but not for the price!!
haven't played Zelda yet because setsuna is a fun ride. , and I know once I start Zelda this will be put on the back burner. if you liked snes rpg's do yourself a favor and pick this game up.
I played this on ps4, I'd say add 1 to the score if you know you like this kind of game from the 16 and 32 bit era.
I was also surprised by the extreme coherence of the story - it's very restrained and well told. Your actual best second choice after Zelda.
@JaxonH In case you're interested, there is an Asia English retail version for this game, at least. https://www.gameshome.com.sg/product/setsuna-english-switch/
@invictus4000 thx for stating the obvious.
@David_Dudeney : That is incorrect. The "u" is not "in the middle of the word" as the "u" that you see in the transliteration is part of the sound/character "tsu". The name Setsuna is comprised of three sounds: se-tsu-na. All three much be pronounced. It's the "u" sound at the end of certain words that are not pronounced, such as "desu" (meaning "is" or "to be") and "masu" (added after certain verbs). Anime characters may pronounce the "u" sounds in these words in order to make them appear more cute/endearing/dopey.
@sillygostly I forgot about the end of words, but I'm still fairly certain that at least some of the time the U is not pronounced in the middle of words
@David_Dudeney @sillygostly Mid-word u's are often highly elided, so "Setsna" is closer to the actual pronunciation than a full three syllables would be. In Tokyo Mirage Sessions "Itsuki" was often bisyllabic, like "Asuka" in Evangelion, etc. (Any guesses as to where all of my knowledge of Japanese phonology comes from?)
@pandarino I always got a feeling that would be the case; it often is with genre. And since I very much do enjoy classic JRPG goodness this will be the second launch title I get.
@Gauchorino
Dude, you're awesome! Thank you so much! I couldn't find anything on Play Asia. Looks like I need to check this Singapore site from now on.
Hope they ship to US...
@PanurgeJr That's what I thought. Hence 'Sasuke' is 'Saske'
@Gauchorino
Woah... they want $100 for it? Holy cow, that's too much. I love having the English box but, there's gotta be somewhere cheaper. Stupid Play Asia doesn't have this English Asian version.
Found it on eBay for $79.99. My OCD may get the best of me but, at least I have like $400 on my Paypal so it won't come out of pocket. If there's a site that sells these Singapore English Asian versions for normal price, let me know. Otherwise taking the JP for $40 might be best bet, even if the cover is in Japanese.
@Phantom_R Good point. And in that sense, I think save points work best either in games where the player knows they're going to be sitting down for longer play sessions, or for handheld systems that allow a sleep function. There are plenty of handheld titles I've played that I often forgot they used save points because I relied on the sleep function all the time when I wanted to stop playing. In that way, Setsuna is probably best fit for the Switch if someone's going to play it handheld, since you can drop it into sleep mode if you need to take a break away from a save point.
Not saying every game should use save points - I generally do prefer being able to save wherever, whenever. But when games use them well or when it makes sense for that game (or I have a sleep function) then I do appreciate that, and I think it's good that they haven't just been left to the past.
I've been playing games since I was 7 - and i still can't dig this genre .
I'd like to but nopes.... happy for those that have fun with it.
Want this on cartridge. Any eShop game that is 20€ or more I would rather buy on a cart.
40 dollars? Not even close to worth it. Be patient folks, it will go WAAAAAAY down.
@3MonthBeef I'm sure there are all sorts of factors that are obvious to native speakers that are misunderstood by random Americans with large anime collections.
@JaxonH That's Singapore for you. Uniquely rare products at above-premium prices.
Good luck with the hunt, man. The Japanese version does indeed sound the most sensible way to go (for once), especially since there's no physical instruction booklet.
@SKTTR
Import import import! So nice to have region free. I never appreciated it until the Vita.
There's JP version for $43 shipped from Amazon JP, with Japanese on cover (English option in game still, obviously) and an English Asian version from Singapore that's like $80 on eBay (cheapest I could find it). It has English on the cover though and looks identical to US/PAL releases
I imported this. Probably won't touch it for awhile lol
@Donutman Thanks but I was asking about battery performance with this game. It would be really nice if that was a common review feature on this and other sites.
The game was otherwise fine, but the piano only soundtrack completely ruined the game for me, it's so dull.
I downloaded this game on day 1 to give me my RPG fix. I agree with the score it's a good game but nothing exceptional. I would advise anyone thats keen to wait for a sale unless they like myself, want something else to play on the Switch.
I have a student named Setsuna and every time I see the name of this game it weirds me out a little. If I ever get around to buying a Switch I'll have to pick it up in her honor or something.
Will wait until finished BoW, but i hope a physical copy is available in EU by then.
Looks like the Japanese physical version has English language support as there is already some on sale on Amazon.co.uk
A Square game on Switch. Hopefully this will last.
But I'm not getting my hopes that much up.
This will be my next eShop purchase after finishing BotW. $40 is steep though and I picked it up day1 on PS4.
As an old-school JRPG fan, I can't resist this, even if the review is lukewarm. Definitely a buy.
@3MonthBeef Saying 'tsu' as 'su' is how it is said in English, not Japanese
@3MonthBeef tsu still makes a "t" sound but it is very soft. Tsu and su don't sound the same. Listen to a person say Tsuki (moon) to you and you can hear it easily.
About the save points: They occur fairly strategically before major events/boss battles. That's why they appear scarce. What the review doesn't tell you is that you can save whenever you want on the world map. Don't forget to save often when you are on the world map and it's not that bad. Later in the game it's a bit harder, but not that bad. In other words. it's a jrpg. There are items to revive and to escape if things look/are dire. I certainly hope that didn't effect the review score as it is a non-issue.
However, that could be offset by the fact that the music quickly becomes tedious. Atmospheric music is one thing, but the mostly forgettable piano plinks and plunks become distracting in their mediocrity. If the point was to emulate games like Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana, someone played those games wearing ear plugs. The iconic scores were very much a living, breathing part of the narrative and incredibly epic and memorable. The piano music is not and really does nothing for the narrative for most of the game.
I'll be picking this up, love how the Switch is region free so I can order the Physical copy from Amazon JP
I will never buy full priced square enix games again.^^
This game is so damn repetitive which is ironic because the game is about breaking the system of running in cricles of no progress. Which is even more ironic because its trying to be retro.
I mean sure heros can win by doing basicially the same thing. Existing and moving on with their lifes.
But its so boring to play. I entered new areas and had the feeling that i was there before. Killing enemies with just normal attacking is retro but again its getting stale so fast. This game has one of the most monotounus though not bad sounding osts ive ever listened.
I can summerize this game with a really slight spoiler: When you beat the final boss you get the message: Obtained EXP 0
Well if you dont get enough of the same and dont want to move on like a hero seriously this is a godsend.
@Tsusasi Did you just describe Breath of the Wild’s soundtrack?
Anyway, the game is currently off for $20 so I guess that’s the perfect call for everyone to try it out. Definitely not a $40 game by any means.
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