Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Knights of Xentar introduces a blend of traditional JRPG exploration with a real-time combat twist that sets it apart from its predecessor. Rather than turn-based encounters, battles unfold on a side-scrolling stage where your party’s actions proceed automatically. You’ll step in at critical moments to cast spells, swap items, or adjust attack power, giving the combat a dynamic rhythm that keeps you engaged.

The eight-level attack gauge offers a satisfying risk-reward mechanic: choosing a high-power slash delivers heavy damage but slows your character’s next move, while a swift jab lets you chain hits more frequently. Mastering this system becomes a gratifying puzzle as you juggle speed, strength, and elemental magic against a variety of foes. Random encounters on the world map ensure you’re never far from a skirmish, encouraging careful resource management between towns and dungeons.

Exploration follows the classic top-down layout seen in many 16-bit era JRPGs, complete with hidden treasures and secret passages. Towns brim with NPCs offering side quests—from fetch missions to secret shop keeps—while dungeons demand smart use of spells and items to overcome puzzles and traps. This fusion of real-time tactics and exploration depth rewards patience and experimentation.

Graphics

Visually, Knights of Xentar leans heavily into anime-inspired pixel art, blending vibrant overworld tiles with detailed character portraits. Towns and dungeons display a warm palette that evokes the era’s charm, while enemy sprites are distinctive and expressive, making every encounter feel unique. The top-down world map is easily navigable and dotted with landmarks that guide your adventure.

The highlight, however, is the series of anime-style cutscenes that punctuate your journey. These interludes showcase smooth animation for the time, rich color choices, and flirtatious sequences that underscore the game’s humorous, adult-oriented tone. While these moments won’t win awards for high-resolution fidelity, they capture the spirit of early ’90s ero-RPGs with a cheeky wink.

Even in combat, character actions are represented by simple but effective sprite animations—swords swing, spells flare, and damage numbers flash across the screen. While today’s standards might view the visuals as dated, they hold nostalgic appeal and convey essential combat information with clarity. Fans of retro pixel art will find plenty to admire here.

Story

The narrative picks up where Dragon Knight II left off, casting you as Desmond, the hapless hero who’s lost everything—his gear, his gold, and, embarrassingly, his clothes. This unexpected setback provides the perfect comedic hook, driving you to complete odd jobs for the mayor of Strawberry Fields just to earn back a few coins. From there, the plot blossoms into a globe-trotting quest filled with mystery and self-discovery.

Throughout your travels, you’ll aid townsfolk plagued by curses, bandit raids, and supernatural threats. Many of these side stories reveal memorable characters—both allies and adversaries—who add emotional weight or levity to the main quest. The promise of “treatment” from grateful ladies delivers fanservice with tongue firmly in cheek, aligning with the game’s playful tone rather than feeling gratuitous.

As you delve deeper, a more serious undertone emerges: Desmond’s unknown heritage and the secret behind the world’s looming darkness. Revelations come at a steady pace, maintaining interest as you leap from bustling ports to shadowy ruins. The balance of humor, eroticism, and genuine stakes creates a surprisingly cohesive tale that keeps you invested until the final dungeon.

Overall Experience

Knights of Xentar is a unique artifact of early ’90s RPG design—a game that boldly mixes humor, adult themes, and innovative real-time combat. It remains accessible for newcomers, thanks to its straightforward interface, but offers enough depth to satisfy seasoned players who enjoy mastering attack gauges and spell rotations. Grinding can be a mild chore, but the variety of side quests helps break the monotony.

The blend of pixel-art charm and anime cutscenes gives the title a distinctive identity. While some players may find the erotic elements jarring or dated, they’re woven into the story with a comic sensibility that softens their impact. Fans of retro JRPGs with a risqué twist will appreciate the developer’s unabashed approach.

Ultimately, Knights of Xentar offers an engaging, if occasionally quirky, adventure that stands out among its 16-bit peers. Whether you’re drawn by the battle system’s nuances, the playful narrative, or the promise of adult-oriented cutscenes, you’ll find a memorable romp that delivers both challenge and cheeky humor in equal measure.

Retro Replay Score

7.3/10