Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

First Queen III seamlessly marries large-scale strategy with traditional JRPG elements, creating a hybrid experience that demands both tactical foresight and character development. The core of the game remains the famed “gocha-kyara” system, where dozens of units can clash on the battlefield at once. Instead of limiting encounters to small skirmishes, you’ll routinely command armies of infantry, cavalry, and mages, managing formations and positioning to exploit enemy weaknesses.

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One of the most welcome additions in this third installment is the fully navigable world map. Unlike the previous titles, which relied on a menu-based map, your party led by General Ayla can now be moved freely between cities, dungeons, and wilderness areas. This tangible sense of exploration enhances immersion and makes world traversal feel more organic. Strategic points of interest are marked with icons, but discovering hidden treasures and optional battlefields often rewards players who stray off the beaten path.

Character progression strikes a satisfying balance between individuality and army management. Each hero—Ayla, her lieutenants, and recruited allies—gains experience and can be equipped with specialized weapons and armor. Meanwhile, levelling up your regiments grants access to advanced formations, improved command range, and the ability to call upon powerful spells. This layered progression system ensures that even late-game encounters demand thoughtful preparation rather than button-mashing.

AI behavior in First Queen III remains challenging. Enemy demon forces adapt their tactics, sometimes feinting attacks or focusing on flanks. While at times the AI makes unconventional decisions, those moments keep battles fresh and unpredictable. For players seeking a deep, methodical experience that rewards careful planning, the gameplay delivers in spades—though newcomers may face a steep learning curve before mastering the nuances of army management.

Graphics

First Queen III embraces an anime-inspired aesthetic with richly detailed sprite work and vibrant color palettes. Character portraits during dialogue sequences capture expressive emotions, enhancing the dramatic tension of pivotal scenes. Even on older hardware, the pixel art retains a crisp quality that holds up surprisingly well in modern emulation.

Battlefield visuals strike a balance between clarity and scale. While individual unit sprites are modest in size, they remain distinct enough to differentiate infantry from cavalry, siege weapons from spellcasters. Background battlefields—ranging from rolling plains to volcanic wastelands—feature layered parallax scrolling, adding depth to every engagement. Special attacks and magic spells are accompanied by dynamic animations that punctuate the strategic flow without overwhelming the playfield.

The world map deserves special mention for its hand-painted look, complete with town icons, mountain ranges, and forest clusters. Each region has its own color scheme, making navigation intuitive and visually rewarding. City and dungeon interiors maintain consistency with exterior design, though the tile sets can feel repetitive after extended play sessions.

One area that shows its age is the user interface, which relies heavily on text-based menus and iconography without tooltips. While veteran strategy gamers will adapt quickly, newcomers might find themselves consulting the manual for item stats or status effects. Regardless, the overall presentation remains charming and evocative of classic ’90s Japanese RPGs.

Story

The narrative of First Queen III builds on a deep lore: from the primordial chaos that birthed Heaven and Earth, to the peace between spirits and humans threatened by demonic incursions. This entry casts you as General Ayla of Ilion, chosen by Athena to forge an alliance among fractious human kingdoms. The premise deftly establishes high stakes while allowing for personal moments of heroism and sacrifice.

Characterization is stronger than ever. Ayla’s unwavering resolve contrasts with her subordinates’ varied motivations—from the stoic knight who doubts divine intervention to the young mage eager for recognition. Side interactions between party members breathe life into the world, often delivering slice-of-life humor before plunging back into epic conflict. These smaller beats reinforce why you’re fighting alongside these heroes, not just commanding faceless armies.

The pacing unfolds through a mixture of strategic map campaigns and scripted dungeon crawls. Key plot revelations—such as the true nature of the Demon King and the role of extinct spirit races—are revealed via cutscenes and in-game reports. While some dialogue can be exposition-heavy, the story’s core message about unity and perseverance resonates consistently, especially when player choices influence which nations heed Ayla’s call.

Despite its strengths, the narrative occasionally leans on genre tropes: the benevolent goddess, the world-saving prophecy, and the final stand against overwhelming odds. Yet the game’s earnest delivery and well-written cast mitigate these clichés, making the journey feel both familiar and emotionally engaging.

Overall Experience

First Queen III is a love letter to fans of classic strategy-JRPG hybrids. Its blend of strategic warfare, robust character growth, and a sweeping storyline demands commitment but rewards players with some of the most epic battles in the genre. The challenge curve is steep, yet every victory—especially against late-game demon legions—brings a true sense of accomplishment.

The game’s anime-style visuals and rousing soundtrack contribute to an unforgettable atmosphere. Whether you’re traversing the map, negotiating alliances, or wading into the thick of battle, the presentation consistently reinforces the grand scale of your crusade. Occasional UI quirks and repetitive dungeon tilesets are minor blemishes in an otherwise polished package.

Replayability stems from the branching choices in alliance building and the diverse roster of recruitable characters. Trying different nation combinations or experimenting with underutilized army formations can dramatically alter battle outcomes. Additionally, optional dungeons hide powerful artifacts that entice completionists to explore every corner of the map.

Overall, First Queen III stands as a standout in retro strategy gaming, ideal for players who appreciate depth, challenge, and a heartfelt fantasy narrative. Its blend of large-scale tactics and JRPG storytelling offers a distinctive experience—one that still resonates years after its initial release. If you’re ready for a demanding yet rewarding journey to unite humanity against darkness, this title deserves a place in your collection.

Retro Replay Score

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