LogFAQs > #899175663

49. Ara Fell
Original Release: 2016
Developer: Stegosoft Games
Platform: PC/Steam

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Let me tell you a little story about an RPG Maker 2003 game that was conceived back in the early 2000's. It was called Ara Fell, and released as a prolonged "demo" or "beta" to the RPG Maker community. Lots of hype surrounded it based on its beautiful map design and its setting and concept -- a game taking place on floating continents in the sky with vampires as antagonists. The developer stated this was just a demo and that there were several more continents to explore with their own problems, but there was never a full release and it was quickly forgotten. There were problems with it as well: bugs, a wonky default battle system, and weird use of music IMO (a midi of Gangsta's Paradise was used as a dungeon theme, although I think this was an amazing idea).

Fast forward nearly 15 years and the game resurfaces as a paid Steam release for $10. The price tag seems odd as the game is made with RPG Maker 2003, but everything in the game is an original (or RM2K3 refmap/default) product, so it is valid. But how is the game itself? The dev decided there was no point in the additional continents, and made the game featured in the early 2000's a complete, polished product. As a result it wasn't very long, but oh boy was it good.

First off, if you can't stand the thought of playing a game made in RPG Maker 2003, or paying for it, this game is not for you.

Otherwise, I highly suggest checking it out if you need your JRPG itch scratched, for just ten bucks. In 2016, this was very much the case for me. I actually stopped playing more Undertale to play this instead. The visuals are beautiful, with TONS of detail in every.single.map. The music is fantastic. You play as an annoying little girl who becomes the "chosen one" and must save the world from evil vampires. Yeah, it's not exactly the most original premise, but Lita and company's journey is entertaining, often mixing humor and seriousness. I was basically smitted by the main playable cast AS WELL as the villains. The villains were very well developed, and despite sometimes being obviously evil I had sympathy for several of the bad guys. Special mention goes to the main villain who is particularly well written. In fact, the writing and dialogue is one the game's main highlights.

The floating continent also has its own personality. From near the beginning, you get access to most of the map, and as you progress you obtain new tools to allow you to find secret caves and passages and reach new areas for treasures, sidequests, etc. It's basically a top-down Metroidvania (ugh I'm using that term again). The battle system is the default ATB RM2K3 system (basically Final Fantasy 4-6 type) and it's kind of janky. This is the engine's fault, not the developer's, but it's manageable.

If you have a weekend with nothing to do and you enjoy SNES JRPGs, this is the game for you. $10 is a decent price, and it's definitely better than something like the new Secret of Mana remake. Also, Stegosoft is developing another title they released originally as an RPG Maker 2003 game, and it looks amazing. http://store.steampowered.com/app/698700/Rise_of_the_Third_Power/