Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir leans heavily into its action RPG foundations, blending real-time combat with strategic alchemy-based mechanics. You control Edward Elric directly, executing sword slashes, dodges, and evasion rolls with responsive inputs. The fluidity of the core combat loop is enhanced by a lock-on system that keeps battles fast-paced, whether you’re dueling homunculi or dispatching waves of generic foes.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Alchemy is the game’s standout feature. Edward can transmute everyday objects—crates, barrels, even bits of the environment—into weapons or defensive structures on the fly. This system encourages creativity: you might erect stone pillars to create cover, craft massive gauntlets for increased melee power, or fashion remote bombs to clear clusters of enemies. The cooldown and resource management ensure that you can’t spam your most devastating transmutations, adding a layer of tactical depth to encounters.

While Edward reigns as the playable character, Alphonse Elric tags along as an AI–controlled partner. Al’s behavior is reliable, automatically protecting you from rear attacks and joining in combo chains when prompted. You can issue simple commands—attack, guard, or stay—and watch as he adapts to the flow of battle. Occasional puzzles and environmental challenges also leverage Edward’s ability to rearrange the terrain with alchemy, breaking up the combat cadence with light exploration and brainteasers.

Graphics

The game embraces a 3D cel-shaded art style that feels lifted straight from the anime series. Character models for Edward, Alphonse, and the various antagonists deliver crisp line work and vibrant color palettes. Facial expressions during dialogue are surprisingly expressive, lending emotional weight to key story beats without veering into uncanny territory.

Environments range from dusty desert streets of Lior to grimy church interiors. Textures are a little simplistic by modern standards, yet the artistic design choices—bold outlines and high-contrast shading—help maintain visual clarity even when the screen gets cluttered with spell effects and enemies. Dynamic lighting during alchemical transmutations adds dramatic flair, as glowing transmutation circles and particle effects burst to life beneath your feet.

Complementing the in-game graphics are the exclusive 30 minutes of original animation. These sequences, fully voiced by the anime cast, feel like mini-episodes inserted between levels. They not only reward fans with new canon material but also showcase the series’ signature animation quality, breaking up gameplay with cinematic flair.

Story

Set as a prequel to Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel, Curse of the Crimson Elixir sends the Elric brothers to the desert city of Lior. What begins as a straightforward mission to confront the shrine leader Father Cornello soon unravels into a layered conspiracy involving rogue state alchemists, desperate townsfolk, and sinister creatures born from botched transmutation experiments.

The narrative pacing strikes a solid balance between major plot revelations and quiet character moments. Between battles, Edward’s trademark humor and brash confidence is offset by Alphonse’s earnest compassion. Side characters—both allies and adversaries—are given enough screen time to feel distinct, even if some secondary threads wrap up a bit too neatly.

The storyline feeds fans original content, particularly through those animated interludes that expand on key backstories. While newcomers may miss certain references to the broader franchise, the core mystery about the “Crimson Elixir” and its implications on alchemy stand on their own, providing enough intrigue to keep you invested until the final confrontation.

Overall Experience

Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir offers a satisfying blend of familiar franchise elements and fresh gameplay innovations. Combat flows well, the alchemy system remains fun and inventive, and the sidekick mechanics ensure you rarely feel overburdened by enemies. Replay value is decent, thanks to unlockable challenge modes and bonus boss fights that reward mastery of alchemical techniques.

Although some environmental textures feel dated and the camera can occasionally misalign during tight platforming sequences, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise polished package. The voice acting—largely reprised from the anime—elevates cutscenes and maintains immersion. Music cues, composed in the style of the series’ soundtrack, ramp up tension during boss battles and underscore emotional story moments effectively.

For Fullmetal Alchemist fans, Curse of the Crimson Elixir is a must-play for its original animation and franchise tie-ins. For newcomers, it still provides a self-contained adventure with accessible mechanics and a compelling tale of brotherhood, betrayal, and redemption. Whether you’re drawn by the promise of dynamic alchemy combat or by the chance to explore new facets of the Elric brothers’ saga, this title delivers an engaging RPG experience that lives up to its iconic source material.

Retro Replay Score

6.7/10