Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Jūyūshi Inbō Hen offers a classic turn-based RPG experience set in the Meiji era, enriched by its branching narrative. From the outset, players choose between two unique protagonists—Hikaru, a determined young girl, or Hiziri, a resolute young boy—each choice leading to different companions, antagonists, and story beats. This decision not only shapes the villains you face but also influences which allies, such as Saitou or Aoshi, will join your party, adding meaningful replay value.

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Combat encounters are straightforward yet engaging, with an emphasis on timing special attacks and managing your party’s stamina. Battles feel faithful to the Rurouni Kenshin universe: Kenshin’s Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū slashes, Sanosuke’s raw power strikes, and custom moves for Hikaru and Hiziri highlight each character’s strengths. As you gather nine mystical seals across various zones, you unlock new areas and face progressively tougher foes, keeping the gameplay loop fresh and rewarding.

Exploration is handled on a 2D overworld with distinct towns, hidden pathways, and side-quests that flesh out the Meiji setting. Aside from the main quest to reunite the seals, optional challenges—such as helping villagers or dueling dojo masters—provide extra XP and rare items. While some backtracking occurs, the world never feels too repetitive, thanks to shifting enemy placements and occasional mini-events that trigger based on your protagonist choice.

One minor drawback is the pacing of random encounters, which can sometimes disrupt the narrative flow between story sequences. However, the ability to adjust encounter frequency in the settings menu helps mitigate frustration for players seeking a smoother progression. Overall, the gameplay seamlessly integrates familiar RPG mechanics with meaningful character choices that influence your journey through post-Shishio Meiji Japan.

Graphics

The visual style of Jūyūshi Inbō Hen leans heavily into 2D sprite work, capturing the charm of the original anime with vibrant character portraits during conversations and crisp, detailed sprites in battle. Each zone—ranging from bustling Edo streets to misty mountain passes—features hand-drawn backgrounds that convey both the era’s serenity and its undercurrents of tension. The color palette shifts naturally with the setting, immersing you in the game’s atmospheric world.

Animated cutscenes punctuate pivotal moments, showcasing key clashes—like your first encounter with a seal guardian—through dynamic camera angles and fluid motion. While these sequences are relatively brief and use limited frames compared to modern titles, they effectively convey the drama of the story without overstaying their welcome. Character portraits also shift expressions subtly during dialogue, enhancing emotional beats without diverting from the game’s classic aesthetic.

Combat animations strike a balance between simplicity and impact: Kenshin’s cross-slash glows when executed, Sanosuke’s oversized Futae no Kiwami hit lands with a satisfying shake, and both Hikaru and Hiziri sport signature skills that flash colorfully across the screen. While some visual effects feel dated by today’s standards, they retain a nostalgic appeal for fans of 16-bit era RPGs and still convey a solid sense of power behind each attack.

Technical performance is stable on original hardware and modern emulation alike, with minimal slowdown even during large boss fights. Load times are virtually nonexistent, ensuring that the game’s pace keeps moving. Though the graphics won’t rival current 3D titles, they deliver a cohesive, lovingly crafted aesthetic that complements the source material and underscores the title’s retro charm.

Story

The narrative of Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Jūyūshi Inbō Hen picks up after the Shishio arc, weaving a fresh tale around two brand-new protagonists. Hikaru and Hiziri each harbor mysterious pasts, their memories locked away by the enigmatic swordsmen Saitou and Aoshi. Your choice of heroine or hero sets the stage for divergent storylines, different villains, and unique character interactions, which in turn colors your experience from town visits to final confrontations.

Early on, an unwinnable skirmish brings Kenshin to your rescue, reestablishing him as a guiding force without overshadowing the newcomers. Kaoru then escorts you to Kamiya Dojo, where you recruit familiar faces like Sanosuke and Yoshi as you venture forth. The central quest—to gather nine seals and thwart a looming government conspiracy—offers a clear structure, though some plot threads unfold predictably. Fans of the franchise will appreciate the respectful nods to established lore and the chance to see their favorite swordsmen in supporting roles.

Dialogue flows smoothly, with heartwarming camaraderie between party members and occasional lighthearted banter that eases tension. Villains introduced in each path are distinct and provide adequate motivation for the heroes’ quest, though their character development can feel surface-level compared to the main cast. Still, the game maintains steady momentum by alternating exploration, puzzle-style seal challenges, and dramatic boss encounters that highlight each character’s growth.

While the overarching plot doesn’t delve into heavy political or philosophical themes, its simplicity is a strength: it places the spotlight on friendship, redemption, and the forging of one’s identity in a changing Japan. The ending may feel a touch rushed for players expecting deeper resolutions, but it delivers a satisfying conclusion to both Hikaru’s and Hiziri’s arcs, leaving room for interpretation and replayability.

Overall Experience

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Jūyūshi Inbō Hen stands as a delightful RPG spin-off that balances nostalgia with fresh ideas. Its core strengths lie in the dual-protagonist system, which encourages multiple playthroughs, and a combat framework that remains engaging throughout the mid-length campaign. For fans of the series, seeing Kenshin, Kaoru, Sanosuke, Aoshi, and Saitou team up under new circumstances is a real treat.

Newcomers to the Rurouni Kenshin universe will find an accessible entry point here, as the game introduces key characters and move sets without requiring extensive prior knowledge. The audio design, featuring period-appropriate music and spirited battle themes, further elevates the atmosphere, though the soundtrack may not stick in your head long after the credits roll. Voice work is limited to battle cries and a few key lines, putting more emphasis on text dialogue and sprite expressions.

Overall, this title offers around 30 to 40 hours of gameplay, depending on side-quest completion and difficulty settings. The moderate challenge curve and adjustable encounter rate cater to both RPG veterans and more casual players. Though it lacks the narrative depth of some modern role-playing games, its faithful homage to the Rurouni Kenshin legacy, combined with solid mechanics and appealing graphics, make it a worthwhile addition to any anime RPG enthusiast’s library.

Whether you’re revisiting the Meiji era or embarking on a new journey with Hikaru or Hiziri, Jūyūshi Inbō Hen captures the spirit of the original manga and anime while standing on its own as an enjoyable RPG. Its replayable structure, memorable characters, and satisfying blend of exploration, combat, and story ensure that this title remains a hidden gem for collectors and newcomers alike.

Retro Replay Score

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