Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Alshark offers an expansive blend of spacefaring adventure and classic JRPG exploration. Players pilot the customizable starship Atlia across multiple solar systems, each teeming with planets, space stations, and hidden secrets. Equipping Atlia with different engines, weapons, and frames allows for a personalized approach to both navigation and combat, encouraging experimentation and strategic planning.

Space battles in Alshark seamlessly shift between automated skirmishes and hands-on arcade shooter segments. By default, routine encounters resolve themselves according to your ship’s stats, making for quick progression. However, when you take control, the action transforms into an intense dogfight, demanding real-time maneuvering and precise targeting. This duality caters to both strategy enthusiasts and action fans alike.

Planetary exploration forms the core of Alshark’s gameplay loop. Disembark on foot to scout alien landscapes or traverse vast canyons in buggies, tanks, and hovercrafts. Random turn-based battles punctuate your journey, viewed from an intuitive overhead perspective. Only Sion is directly controlled during these skirmishes, while party members act under AI routines—employing weapons, healing spells, and special techniques to support the team.

The party system here is robust: you recruit up to five characters, each with unique roles and gear slots for armor, melee weapons, and futuristic firearms. A “party talk” feature deepens character relationships by letting them confer on strategic decisions or simply banter. Alshark also breaks free from the typical level cap of 100, permitting characters to grow exponentially and unlocking powerful abilities late into the campaign.

Graphics

Visually, Alshark blends 16-bit sprites with richly detailed environments. Overhead exploration on planet surfaces showcases vibrant terrain textures and smoothly animated character models. Vehicles and enemy designs pop with distinctive silhouettes, ensuring that each battle feels unique and visually engaging.

The Sega CD release elevates the experience with anime-style cutscenes that highlight dramatic story beats. These animated sequences bring characters like Sion, Shoko, and the enigmatic Mamon Penrose to life with expressive art and fluid motion. Meanwhile, the PC Engine (TurboGrafx) CD iteration adds full-screen navigation, additional cutscenes, and voice-overs, creating a more cinematic presentation overall.

Space environments are equally impressive, featuring starfields and planetary backdrops that capture the vastness of Wisperad. Enemy ships and cosmic anomalies glow against inky voids, while explosion and weapon-fire effects convey the intensity of interstellar combat. For fans of retro sci-fi aesthetics, Alshark delivers consistently appealing and nostalgically immersive visuals.

Story

The narrative of Alshark unfolds in the fractured universe of Wisperad, once united under the visionary leadership of Dumna. Following his mysterious death, political tensions tore the kingdom apart, splitting it into three rival factions: the Mars Confederation, Kingdom of Willia, and Empire of Zolius. This backdrop of intrigue and shifting alliances sets the stage for your galactic odyssey.

Your journey begins on Homu, a tranquil planet shattered by a gargantuan meteorite. Sion Asmarn’s life is upended when the physicist Mamon Penrose—seer of the meteorite’s secrets—strikes down Sion’s father under the influence of an unknown force. Joined by his girlfriend Shoko, Mamon’s own daughter, Sion vows to uncover the truth behind this violent act and the meteorite’s dark power.

As you travel between star systems, alliances form and betrayals are revealed. Each new planet introduces unique cultures and moral dilemmas, inviting you to choose sides or broker peace. The story deftly balances personal vendetta with galaxy-spanning politics, delivering emotional character arcs and surprising twists throughout its lengthy campaign.

Overall Experience

Alshark stands out among retro JRPGs for its open-ended exploration and hybrid combat systems. The freedom to tackle planets in any order, modify your ship’s loadout, and guide characters beyond conventional level caps fosters a deep sense of ownership and replay value. Every decision—from equipment choices to faction alliances—reshapes your adventure.

Version differences further enrich the experience. The Sega CD’s anime cutscenes and additional soundtracks immerse players in a more vibrant world, while the PC Engine CD streamlines menus, adds voice-over dialogue, and reduces random encounters for smoother pacing. Both deliver unique advantages, letting players pick the edition that best suits their preferences.

Despite occasional difficulty spikes in later planetary dungeons and the time investment required for full character development, Alshark remains a rewarding journey for sci-fi RPG fans. Its blend of narrative depth, exploration freedom, and varied combat styles makes it a standout title—one that continues to captivate players seeking a classic, ambitious space odyssey.

Retro Replay Score

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