Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Fullmetal Alchemist: Dual Sympathy delivers a straightforward 2D side-scrolling beat ’em-up experience that captures the essence of Edward Elric’s alchemical prowess. Players guide Ed through a succession of stages, facing off against human adversaries, ferocious beasts, and imposing bosses. Combat relies on a blend of light and heavy attacks, aerial launches, and strategic alchemical transmutations that break up the beat-’em-up formula with puzzle-like obstacle sections.

One of the game’s standout mechanics is Edward’s ability to transmute environmental objects on the fly. Whether you’re erecting a stone wall to shield yourself from falling rocks or crafting a makeshift cannon to blast through an enemy formation, these alchemical options give each level a dynamic, interactive flair. Timing and positioning become critical as spikes, crumbling platforms, and projectile hazards force you to think beyond button-mashing.

Dual Sympathy offers three distinct play modes: Story Mode follows the 51-episode anime arc, Bonus Mode challenges you with harder waves of enemies, and Mini-Game Mode unlocks concise diversions that test reflexes or puzzle-solving skills. Combined with branching paths and hidden items, these modes give the title respectable replay value. For completionists, linking GBA Fullmetal Alchemist titles in the DS slot unlocks exclusive content—extra weapons, color palettes, and secret stages—rewarding fans who own the broader franchise catalog.

Graphics

The art style in Dual Sympathy faithfully mirrors the anime’s character designs, rendered in crisp, colorful sprites that pop against richly detailed backgrounds. Edward’s fluid animations—from rapid punches to his trademark alchemy circle flourishes—feel true to the source material. Enemy types range from generic soldiers to beastly chimeras, each boasting distinct silhouettes and combat patterns that help distinguish threats at a glance.

Stages span alchemically hollowed ruins, bustling town streets, and cavernous underground labs. Subtle parallax effects and animated background elements—dripping water, flickering torches, scuttling scaffolding—create a sense of depth that belies the DS’s relatively modest horsepower. Boss encounters feature larger sprites and multi-phase transformations, giving these battles a cinematic punch.

While the resolution can occasionally feel cramped on the DS screen, the developers mitigate this with clear, readable UI elements and judicious use of color contrast. Special alchemical attacks light up the field with particle effects and shake the camera, injecting moments of visual spectacle that underscore the power of the Elric brothers’ craft. Overall, the graphics strike a pleasing balance between faithful adaptation and technical polish.

Story

Fans of the Fullmetal Alchemist anime will appreciate Dual Sympathy’s ambitious retelling of all 51 episodes in portable form. The narrative is delivered through in-engine cutscenes and character portraits, punctuated by text dialogue that captures key emotional beats—loss, determination, and the moral complexity of alchemical warfare. Although some side stories are trimmed for brevity, the core journey of Edward and Alphonse remains intact.

Cutscenes employ still images with dynamic text effects to convey dramatic moments, such as Edward’s confrontation with Father or the heartbreaking aftermath of pivotal battles. While there is no voice acting due to hardware limits, the expressive manga-style art and well-translated dialogue preserve the series’ tone. Mini-games and bonus stages tie into thematic elements—rescuing ally NPCs or reconstructing towns with alchemy—reinforcing the narrative through gameplay.

Connectivity bonuses deepen the lore by unlocking optional chapters or art galleries when you insert the GBA Fullmetal Alchemist cartridges. These extras include concept sketches of key characters, short “what if” scenarios, and even hidden lore entries that expand on events only briefly touched upon in the anime. For dedicated fans, these features make Dual Sympathy more than just a simple beat-’em-up—it becomes a portable compendium of Fullmetal Alchemist history.

Overall Experience

At its core, Dual Sympathy is a love letter to fans of the series—a fun, accessible beat ’em-up enriched by alchemical puzzle segments and fan-service unlockables. The pacing is brisk, with each stage offering enough combat variety and environmental hazards to keep players engaged. Difficulty ramps up steadily, rewarding mastery of Edward’s transmutation combos and quick reflexes over sheer button-mashing.

That said, repetition can set in during longer play sessions, especially in Bonus Mode where enemy waves recycle familiar foes. Some players may find the lack of Alphonse as a playable character or the absence of co-op local multiplayer a missed opportunity. Nevertheless, the variety of modes, level secrets, and connectivity rewards help keep the experience fresh for collectors and completionists alike.

For potential buyers, Fullmetal Alchemist: Dual Sympathy offers a robust portable adaptation of the beloved anime. It shines most brightly for fans who appreciate its faithful art style, meaningful alchemy mechanics, and layered unlockables. Even if you’re new to the franchise, its straightforward combat and accessible progression make it a solid pick for DS owners seeking a nostalgic side-scrolling adventure with a twist of alchemy.

Retro Replay Score

6.3/10