Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The core mechanics of Herakles no Eikō II: Titan no Metsubō will feel immediately familiar to fans of classic Dragon Warrior–style RPGs. You traverse an overworld map on foot, pass through towns and dungeons, converse with NPCs for clues, and confront foes in random encounters. Combat takes place in a first-person, turn-based format that rewards strategic planning: you must juggle attack commands, magic spells, and creature summons to turn the tide against ever-stronger Titans and their underlings.

One of the game’s most innovative features is its full day/night cycle. Whichever location you visit appears differently under the midday sun or the pale glow of moonlight, and certain events or NPC schedules only trigger at specific times. This mechanic not only breathes fresh life into familiar environments but also adds a light puzzle element—knowing when to return to a town square or temple can reveal hidden items or secret conversations essential to your quest.

Party building in Titan no Metsubō extends beyond human companions. Early on, you gain the ability to recruit mythical creatures—centaurs with powerful melee strikes, ethereal “Woman Without Soul” units with status-inflicting magic, and more. Balancing your human hero’s equipment with the unique skills of each monster companion becomes crucial in tougher dungeons, especially when facing boss encounters that exploit elemental weaknesses or resist specific spells.

Exploration and progression are well-paced. Side quests—such as helping Daedalus engineer a new labyrinth or retrieving medicinal herbs for Hippocrates—offer optional rewards that enhance your characters’ capabilities. The experience curve ramps up steadily: early Titan skirmishes feel manageable, but by mid-game you’ll need to carefully manage MP reserves and item stocks to survive multi-stage boss battles.

Graphics

On the Nintendo Famicom hardware, Herakles no Eikō II delivers surprisingly detailed sprite work. Towns are distinguished by unique tile sets—Athens’ pristine marble columns contrast sharply with the shadowy caverns beneath Mount Othrys. Character portraits on dialogue screens are charmingly expressive, lending personality to both major figures like the queen and minor quest givers.

The day/night cycle also manifests visually: bright palettes fade to cool blues and purples at night, casting dungeons in deep shadows and forcing you to rely on torches or special spells for illumination. This visual shift isn’t merely cosmetic; it reinforces the underlying gameplay mechanic, signaling when shops are closed, when hidden paths appear, or when certain monsters are more active.

Enemy and creature designs draw directly from Greek mythology but are given inventive twists. Titans loom large with jagged silhouettes and glowing eyes, while recruited monsters such as the half-horse Centaur are rendered in smooth animation frames—enough to convey galloping attacks in a compact 8-bit format. Boss fights often introduce custom backdrops and animated graphics, heightening the sense of spectacle when you confront a Lord of Darkness or a mythic guardian.

Even the menus and status screens receive thoughtful design touches. Icons for weapons and armor are crisp, making it easy to compare stats at a glance. Subtle animation—like flickering magic symbols next to MP totals—keeps the interface lively without becoming distracting. Overall, the graphics strike a fine balance between functional clarity and mythic atmosphere.

Story

Unlike the series’ title character Herakles, you play a humble boy from the town of Nana who lives with his grandmother. This choice immediately differentiates Titan no Metsubō from its predecessor, rooting the narrative in human vulnerability rather than divine invincibility. When the queen summons you to rescue people enslaved by the Titans—an ancient, god-like race under the sway of a malevolent Lord of Darkness—it sets up a classic underdog tale with mythic stakes.

The journey to Athens to find the renowned poet Homer serves as the game’s first major arc. Homer’s verses unlock the secret methods needed to challenge the Titans, blending real historical figures into the mythic tapestry. Along the way, you encounter Daedalus, whose engineering expertise helps you navigate labyrinthine dungeons; Cerberus, whose three heads offer both combat challenge and narrative intrigue; and Hephaestus, whose divine metallurgy grants you powerful weapons.

Dialogue writing throughout is concise but evocative. NPCs reference well-known myths, yet the game strikes a balance by humanizing these legendary figures—Hippocrates appears not merely as a healer but as a mentor who treats you with genuine concern. Cutscenes are delivered through static images and text boxes, yet the pacing remains engaging, with just enough plot twists (betrayals by minor gods, midnight Titan raids) to keep you invested.

The narrative climax, which brings you face-to-face with the Lord of Darkness controlling the Titans, ties together all the relationships you’ve built and the lore you’ve uncovered. It’s a satisfying payoff, rewarding you for exploring every corner of the map, collecting forgotten scrolls, and forging alliances with mythical beings. The ending leaves room for interpretation, hinting at future installments while giving your hero’s journey a memorable conclusion.

Overall Experience

Herakles no Eikō II: Titan no Metsubō stands out as a lovingly crafted RPG that melds traditional turn-based combat with inventive twists on Greek mythology. Its day/night cycle adds depth to exploration, while the ability to recruit and customize mythical creatures enhances strategic variety. For retro RPG enthusiasts, it offers a robust quest structure and engaging side content without feeling padded or repetitive.

The game’s moderate difficulty curve makes it accessible to newcomers who enjoyed old-school RPGs, yet it still provides enough challenge—especially in late-game Titan encounters—to satisfy veterans. Resource management becomes more critical as you juggle healing items, MP potions, and limited-use scrolls, encouraging thoughtful planning rather than button-mashing.

Audio accompaniment—cheerful town melodies, suspenseful dungeon tunes, and triumphant battle themes—complements the visuals, although some tracks do lean toward typical 8-bit tropes. Nonetheless, the soundtrack grows on you, particularly when motifs from Homer’s verses or Daedalus’s workshop recast familiar tunes in new contexts.

In sum, Titan no Metsubō offers a memorable blend of mythic storytelling, strategic combat, and exploratory freedom. Its polished presentation and thoughtful mechanics make it a standout title for collectors of Japanese-only Famicom RPGs and any gamer seeking a fresh twist on the golden age of turn-based adventures.

Retro Replay Score

null/10