Classic JRPG remade for modern devices

Live a Live is a premium role-playing game from Square Enix. This modernized remake of the 1994 Famicom classic lets you relive this unique JRPG idea. Follow seven different storylines spread across various time periods, including Prehistoric China and a futuristic sci-fi setting. In each of these remotely linked scenarios, you fight an enemy related to the mysterious Odio.

This Live a Live release combines the classic pixel art style, tactics-based combat, and a compelling and unique story. Now that it’s available globally, more players will appreciate this title on par with Octopath Traveler or Final Fantasy III.

An anthology of loosely-tied stories

What makes Live a Live unique among JRPG titles is that it feels like a collection of short stories. The game’s main campaign is divided into seven chapters, from Prehistory to the Distant Future. Every time, you control a new set of characters and follow a different story. Also, every single time, you fight a variety of Odio, from the dinosaur god Odo to the mega computer OD-10.

While each chapter can feel like a short playthrough, the eighth and final part tie everything together in a satisfying finale. Across the game, you mostly engage with enemies on a turn-based combat system. Additionally, every storyline comes with a gimmick, such as focusing on stealth or relying on telepathy to advance the story. This version introduces minor changes to the interface to make them appealing to modern players.

Similar to Octopath Traveler, this game also features an HD-2D graphics approach. It uses remastered sprite art with high-resolution 3D graphics. The remake also adds a couple of quality-of-life (QoL) updates to the game, such as a sparkling effect over interactive spots, area-of-effect (AoE) indicators, and an optional radar system for objective locations. Still, it does little to change the generally high level of difficulty of the game.

Engaging, challenging, and ultimately enjoyable

Overall, Live a Live delivers on being a quality remake instead of an old title you’d rather play on an emulator. By building on the HD-2D approach that proved successful with Octopath, combined with the various QoL changes introduced in this release, makes this title worth a shot. For new players, be warned of its unforgiving difficulty and chapter lengths.