Hero must die. again
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Hero must die. again
Hero Must Die Again is a well-crafted game with a unique concept.
Hero must die. again is better than the sum of its parts, with its genuinely emotional premise and a strangely relaxing feel despite the time constraint.
Hero must die. again shifts focus to the end of the typical RPG story, resulting in a shorter, more somber experience.
Pyramid and G-Modes deconstruction of the JRPG genre offers a unique take on a fantasy world after a demon threat has been reduced, and manages to stick the landing with its unique mechanics.
An interesting concept that needs a little bit more work to make a compelling game.
It would be remiss to not point out some severe flaws, notably how boring the actual combat is, or the lacklustre exploration. Despite this heavy criticism, there is something definitely charming about the whole experience. The de-levelling novelty is notable, if nothing else, and there is a feeling of being pulled into the game that many modern JRPGs sort of lack nowadays. This is the type of game that shows heart and passion can trump huge budgets.
Subversion and innovation marry together beautifully in this sometimes sombre, often clever, take on one of gaming's oldest genres. Even if the Hero could only live another five days, the memory of Hero Must Die. Again will remain with me for some time.
Hero Must Die has a lot going for it – a strong, immediately compelling theme, a lovely, melancholic aesthetic, and a simple elegance to its systems. Unfortunately, the development team really struggled to find a way to marry the form and function of the JRPG, and the narrative that the mechanics are meant to support.
