Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Makeruna! Makendō Z opts for a classic Japanese‐style RPG approach, combining top‐down exploration with random, turn‐based battles. As you navigate the high school hallways and grounds, the simplicity of movement and interaction ensures that focus stays on strategic decisions during combat rather than on complicated controls. Each random encounter shifts seamlessly into a first‐person battle view, evoking the nostalgia of early 90s JRPGs.

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Despite its traditional trappings, the game streamlines the experience by forgoing an equipment system altogether. Instead of collecting armor or weapons, Hikari, Mai and Saya rely on a fixed repertoire of magic spells and kendo techniques. Leveling up unlocks new attacks and magical abilities, so progression feels steady and incremental, but you never find yourself juggling inventory or customizing gear loadouts.

Combat strikes a comfortable balance between accessibility and tactical depth. You’ll learn to combine elemental spells—fire, ice, lightning—with kendo slashes to exploit enemy weaknesses. Boss fights in particular demand careful spell selection and timing of charged strikes. While the linear structure means you won’t get lost in side quests, the pacing of battles remains varied enough to keep each dungeon or corridor encounter engaging.

Overall, Makeruna! Makendō Z’s gameplay is ideal for players who appreciate straightforward progression and clear, easy‐to‐grasp mechanics. The lack of optional detours may disappoint completionists, but it also means the game never becomes a grind. The focus on magic kendo techniques gives a distinct personality to each fight, and the steady unlocking of new abilities keeps the battles fresh across the roughly 15–20 hour adventure.

Graphics

The visual presentation leans heavily on anime‐style aesthetics, showcasing colorful cutscenes and evocative stills to punctuate key story moments. Every time a new kendo technique is unleashed, the game transitions into a full‐screen illustration that looks like it was lifted straight from a Saturday‐morning cartoon. These sequences are crisp and vibrant, lending dramatic flair to otherwise routine menu commands.

In‐game environments are rendered in bright, cheerful 16‐bit tiles, with character sprites that capture each girl’s personality—Hikari’s determined frown, Mai’s playful grin, and Saya’s wide‐eyed enthusiasm. School corridors, rooftop terraces, and demon‐plagued hallways all maintain a consistent color palette that shifts from warm tones during daytime exploration to moody shadows in hidden realms.

Battle animations are simple but effective: spell effects streak across the screen, elemental bursts flash in sync with sound cues, and kendo strikes send shockwaves through pixelated foes. Transitions between exploration and combat are instantaneous, minimizing downtime and keeping the visual flow brisk. While you won’t find advanced particle effects or 3D models, the game’s art style remains charming and cohesive throughout.

Makeruna! Makendō Z’s graphical strengths lie in its stylized charm rather than technical prowess. The cutscenes and tech‐illustrations break up the sprite work with eye‐catching artistry, reminding players of the comedic and magical spirit at the heart of the game. Fans of retro JRPG visuals will appreciate the clarity and personality of every frame.

Story

Set in the familiar universe of the Makeruna! Makendō series, this installment introduces a comedic high‐school setting that feels both whimsical and slightly off‐kilter. Sisters Hikari and Mai attend classes as usual—until their cousin Saya returns from an exchange program in the USA and a botched experiment opens portals to the demon world right in their school courtyard.

The narrative thrives on lighthearted banter and slice‐of‐life interludes. Between dungeon runs, the trio navigate school festivals, club activities, and sibling squabbles that showcase each character’s quirks. Hikari’s earnest dedication often collides with Mai’s laid‐back attitude, while Saya’s fish‐out‐of‐water reactions to Japanese school life add an extra layer of humor.

While the overarching plot follows the familiar “seal the demon portals and save the world” trope, the game’s episodic structure keeps the story moving at a brisk pace. Each chapter is introduced with a playful anime still or cutscene, setting the tone for boss encounters and schoolyard showdowns. Though the stakes never feel world‐shattering, the cheerful writing and comic timing make each twist enjoyable.

Character development centers on teamwork and the bonds of family rather than deep moral dilemmas. You won’t find heavy drama or philosophical overtones, but you will find genuine moments of camaraderie, cheering one another on as kendo strikes and spells light up the screen. For players seeking a breezy, character‐driven tale, Makeruna! Makendō Z delivers a perfect balance of whimsy and action.

Overall Experience

Makeruna! Makendō Z stands out as a breezy, nostalgia‐infused JRPG that pairs simple mechanics with playful presentation. It won’t challenge genre veterans with complex systems or sprawling open worlds, but it offers a streamlined, entertaining journey well suited to newcomers and fans of the original Makeruna! Makendō arcade beat ’em ups.

Highlights include the endearing anime‐style cutscenes, the tight pacing of a linear storyline, and the memorable magic kendo techniques that serve as both combat moves and visual spectacle. On the flip side, those craving deep customization, optional side quests, or challenging difficulty spikes may find the experience too straightforward.

Compared to other sprite‐based JRPGs of its era, Makeruna! Makendō Z trades breadth for charm. It doesn’t try to be a genre‐defining epic; instead, it aims to amuse with its comedic writing, spirited heroine trio, and thematic cohesion. The humor and magical high‐school backdrop give it a unique flavor among retro role‐playing games.

In sum, Makeruna! Makendō Z is a delightful, fast‐paced adventure that captures the fun of early JRPGs without bogging players down in micromanagement. If you’re looking for a lighthearted story, approachable gameplay, and a healthy dose of magical kendo action, this title is well worth adding to your collection.

Retro Replay Score

null/10