Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Saint Seiya: Ōgon Densetsu – Kanketsu Hen delivers a hybrid gameplay model that alternates between classic side-scrolling beat ’em up action and tactical, turn-based boss encounters. In the side-view stages, you guide one of four Bronze Saints through gauntlets of goons and environmental hazards. Each character handles responsively, with tight jump mechanics to avoid pitfalls and a standard combo of light and heavy attacks that feel surprisingly weighty for a 16-bit era title.

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The RPG elements kick in as you accumulate “Seven Senses” experience points from each skirmish. Between stages you allocate these points to boost HP or Cosmo Power—the game’s energy meter required for special moves. This progression system adds a light layer of strategy, encouraging you to tailor your warrior’s stats to match your playstyle: brute-force brawling with Seiya, longer ranged assaults with Hyoga, balanced durability with Shiryu, or support-leaning tactics with Shun.

Boss encounters break up the action with turn-based sequences that play out on a separate screen. Here you select punches, kicks or Cosmo-fueled special attacks from a menu, trying to predict patterns and manage your dwindling Cosmo gauge. While simple by modern standards, these encounters provide a satisfying contrast to the real-time stages and force you to think about resource management—especially on higher difficulties where one misstep can leave your Saint vulnerable.

Character-specific story triggers appear at key junctures, requiring you to choose the appropriate Saint for a given scenario. This mechanic introduces some replay value and ensures that you can’t simply power through with your favorite fighter; instead, you’ll cycle through the entire roster to unlock all narrative threads and special dialogues.

Graphics

The visual presentation of Ōgon Densetsu is colorful and faithful to the anime’s aesthetic. Sprites for Seiya, Hyoga, Shiryu and Shun are instantly recognizable, complete with flowing capes, shining armor and signature particle effects when unleashing Cosmo attacks. Backgrounds range from temple hallways of the Sanctuary to craggy cliff faces and eerie underworld landscapes, each rendered with enough detail to evoke the series’ mythic atmosphere.

Animation frames are relatively sparse by today’s standards, but key moves—like Shiryu’s Rising Dragon Punch or Hyoga’s Diamond Dust—benefit from splashy screen flashes and screen-shake effects that punctuate the impact. Enemies and minibosses also receive distinct silhouette designs, helping you quickly distinguish cannon fodder from more dangerous foes.

Boss arenas in the turn-based segments sacrifice environmental detail for clarity, displaying each Saint and their opponent against a simple gradient or thematic backdrop. While this approach feels dated, it keeps focus on the strategic flow of combat and the emotional heft of finishing moves, which are often accompanied by large, expressive character portraits.

Overall, the graphics hold up as a solid example of early ’90s console artistry. Fans of retro spritework will appreciate the attention to color and silhouette, while newcomers will find the style charmingly evocative of the Golden Age of anime adaptations.

Story

At its core, Ōgon Densetsu follows the familiar narrative of the Bronze Saints’ quest to save the goddess Athena from the machinations of rival Greek deities. The game condenses key arcs of the Sanctuary saga into bite-sized chapters, each culminating in a showdown with a Gold Saint or other major antagonist. Dialogue is delivered through text boxes accompanied by still illustrations, making it easy to follow even if you’re not fluent in the source material.

Intermittent cutscenes effectively build tension before each boss fight, showcasing the Bronze Saints’ camaraderie and individual motivations. When the story demands emotional beats—such as moments of sacrifice or revelations about Cosmo—they’re handled through dramatic music cues and enlarged character art, lending weight to the proceedings despite the limited animation.

The requirement to select specific Saints at certain points adds a light branching element to the narrative. Although these choices don’t radically alter the overarching plot, they unlock unique exchanges and alternative boss intros, incentivizing multiple playthroughs if you’re eager to see every aspect of the tale.

For fans of the anime, the adaptation hits all the right notes: loyalty, bravery and the triumph of friendship over divine politics. Those new to Saint Seiya will find an accessible introduction to the franchise’s mythos, even if the pacing feels brisk and some subplots are only lightly sketched out.

Overall Experience

Saint Seiya: Ōgon Densetsu – Kanketsu Hen successfully blends frantic side-scrolling action with strategic, turn-based boss duels, delivering a unique gameplay loop that stands out among other anime tie-ins of its era. The sense of progression via Seven Senses points adds depth without overcomplicating the core fighting mechanics, ensuring both newcomers and series veterans feel rewarded as they master each Saint’s style.

While the graphics and sound design are firmly rooted in early ’90s console limitations, their faithful recreation of the anime’s look and feel will resonate with long-time fans. The music, though repetitive at times, punctuates key moments effectively, and the occasional rock guitar flourish during boss battles remains one of the game’s highlights.

Narratively, the game covers familiar ground but delivers enough character-driven moments and branching interactions to keep you invested. Replaying with different Saints to unlock all dialogue snippets extends the longevity for completionists, and the relative tightness of each level means the entire experience doesn’t overstay its welcome.

In sum, Ōgon Densetsu – Kanketsu Hen is an engaging, nostalgia-rich package that offers a balanced mix of action and RPG elements. It may feel dated in spots, but for players seeking a retro Saint Seiya adventure with both brawling thrills and strategic boss fights, this title remains a worthwhile journey through the trials of the Bronze Saints.

Retro Replay Score

null/10