The Alliance Alive HD Remastered Reviews
Nearly two years on from its initial release, The Alliance Alive HD Remastered proves to be a perfectly competent port of an already fantastic handheld game. A well-written story, a smartly interwoven and complex system of gameplay mechanics, and a distinctive visual style makes this a no-brainer for anybody looking for a consistently high-quality RPG experience on their Switch. It may feel a little simple, given its origins on the 3DS, but don't make the mistake of passing up on The Alliance Alive HD Remastered, it's well worth your time.
If a classic JRPG is what you're looking for, The Alliance Alive HD delivers most of what you could want, if little else. With a few tweaks to the JRPG formula, a likeable cast of occasionally dumb characters, and some interesting combat mechanics, it's not exactly breaking the mould, but it's doing a pretty good job of filling it.
It's also totally great on a mobile PS4 remote play rig, which I messed around with as well. Regardless of how you play it, The Alliance Alive is a fulfilling JRPG that isn't afraid to do things a little differently, while still showing its love for that classic 90s style. The Alliance Alive HD puts the game on modern platforms, and it's absolutely a title deserving of a second chance.
The Alliance Alive HD Remastered brings back the 3DS JRPG to home consoles with improved graphics. It’s a bit on the short side for an RPG and doesn’t really add much for folks who have played it before. At the same time, its nice story, likable cast of characters and classic gameplay make this a great title for JRPG lovers, especially those who never got a chance to play the original.
The Alliance Alive is back under the form of a remastered version for the Nintendo Switch and while the best aspects about the game, namely its vast and open world and well written dialogues are all here, there is not much more added value compared to the original version, namely as its visual environment is below par next to other JRPGs on the Switch. While a good experience for big fans of JRPGs, this game often feels like a disappointing experience.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The Alliance Alive HD Remastered is just a few tweaks away from being amazing, but it’s the perfect example of a rainy day JRPG.
The Alliance Alive is a slightly above-average game that's dwarfed by the myriad JRPGs already available for and coming to the Switch. It can serve as a decent filler between them, but there's nothing in this HD remaster to make it a better option than its original 3DS release. Save yourself some cash and go that route if you can…just be sure to rotate those save files.
The Alliance Alive HD Remastered might not be perfect or even be one of the most stand out titles on the 3DS, it still has enough to justify checking it out. Between a good number of characters, strong interactions and an overwhelming sense of cute, it's the type of adventure anyone can get into, provided they love character-driven stories. The only downside is, for all it does right, is that it's a 3DS title it shows its age, regardless of how good it is compared to other 3DS titles.
For better or worse, The Alliance Alive is the very definition of a mid-tier RPG. The visuals and story fall under the line of "good enough" that they don't necessarily have to aim for greater heights, while the content is practically bursting with customizable features and mechanics that will drive stat-lovers into a joyous frenzy, even though the time it takes to reach to the juicy center is a bit on the long side.
After a couple of years this is still a good and balanced JRPG, but this remastered version is way too overpriced in the light of no new content and no dub added. Just wait for a price drop before buying.
Review in Italian | Read full review
If you missed The Alliance Alive on the 3DS and enjoy JRPGs then I highly recommend you pick up The Alliance Alive HD Remastered.
The Alliance Alive is one of the best examples on how to bring old school RPG design to modern platforms. The HD Remaster has few changes if compared to the original, however, The Alliance Alive HD Remastered still is an excellent game with an interesting story, charismatic characters and a deep battle system that requires strategy.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
I love The Alliance Alive HD for so many reasons that the laughably simple gameplay was a non-issue. The characters are vibrant, the world is fascinating to explore, the aesthetics are gorgeous, and the game perfectly straddles that line between indulging in nostalgia and modernising what it needs to to retain relevance.
If you picked up Alliance Alive the first time around, whatever that experience was for you will likely be repeated on the Switch. To those whose main interest is the battle system, if grinding for moves and abilities is your thing, this remastered is a much prettier and convenient version to play.
Even accounting for the passage of time, and the contempt that familiarity brings, The Alliance Alive HD Remastered is still a class act. This traditional tale offers a unique blend of fun characters and engaging exploration. The battle-system is sufficiently deep, and caters to any style of play. There are times where this journey isn't as good as it could be, but absolutely nothing about it stands out as truly awful. All in all, it's a wonderful RPG that deserves to be checked out.
The Alliance Alive is a wonderful and easy to recommend JRPG.
The Alliance Alive certainly deserves to release in a year of RPG powerhouses, offering a delightfully deep and immensely enjoyable experience.
The Alliance Alive HD Remastered may only offer a visual upgrade over its original release but it's great storyline and solid mechanics make it a great RPG for those looking for something a bit more old-school.
The Alliance Alive has been given a second chance with this HD remaster. It is another great addition to the existing JRPG library of the Nintendo Switch. It offers multiple characters with colorful personalities and a battle system that feels like a spiritual successor to the SaGa series.
The Alliance Alive HD Remastered is a JRPG with no serious errors. It is what it seeks to be, a classic cut title with a great script and with a spirit from a couple of generations ago, with a more modern execution.
Review in Spanish | Read full review