Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The first pull comes from the change of pace. You move through towns from a top-down view, then the game shifts into side-scrolling territory once trouble starts. That structure gives travel and combat distinct rhythms instead of making every location feel like another stretch of the same map.

You only control one character at a time, but Sadler, Rumi, Kindi, and Fakhyle can be swapped when they are travelling together. Their trade-offs matter: one may bring strength, another ranged attacks or spells, while limited mobility can make a character less comfortable in certain situations. The satisfying part is not simply finding the strongest party member; it is recognizing who fits the problem in front of you.

Progression is direct and old-school. Defeated enemies pay out experience and money, levels raise parameters and hit points automatically, and towns let you spend cash on weapons, armor, healing supplies, and support items. That simplicity keeps the focus on fighting and preparation, though gamers who want elaborate character-building decisions may find the automatic leveling a little restrained.

Frustration is most likely to come from committing to a favorite character when another member’s particular advantage would serve you better. Still, the party-switching gives the action more thought than a lone-hero brawler. If you like action RPGs where equipment, supplies, and the right party member all contribute to momentum, this is a sturdy fit.

Graphics

The game alternates between top-down town views and side-scrolling hostile areas, so you see both an overhead travel perspective and a closer action view. Its anime/manga styling suits the cast and fantasy setting, while the changing camera view clearly separates safe stops from combat-focused stretches.

Story

Sadler begins separated from his companions and is sent toward Baghdad after a mysterious prophet warns that a curse has fallen on the city. It is an immediate, purposeful setup: you are not wandering without direction, and the stakes are established before the journey has time to drift.

The story gains weight from its returning connections. Sadler meets old friends and old enemies on the road, which gives this sequel a sense that its conflict belongs to an ongoing life rather than appearing from nowhere.

Its central threat is broad but effective fantasy material: hatred is stirring and turning people into monsters, while the world’s fate rests with Sadler. Come for a dramatic adventure rather than a quiet character study. The premise has enough urgency to carry the trip, especially if you enjoy a hero being pushed into a crisis larger than his own immediate problems.

Overall Experience

Exile: Wicked Phenomenon is at its strongest when its two perspectives and four-character party work together. Town visits give you room to buy equipment and restorative items; hostile side-scrolling areas put the consequences of those choices in front of you. It is a clean, understandable action-RPG rhythm.

The game does not bury you under complicated leveling systems. That makes it easy to settle into, but it also means its depth comes chiefly from character switching, gear, items, and the practical differences between party members. You should know what kind of older RPG progression you are getting before you commit: steady gains, not a sprawling build laboratory.

Give it a chance if a focused fantasy sequel with an assassin hero, party swapping, and a blend of exploration and action sounds inviting. The payoff is a compact-feeling adventure where the party is more than decoration, and where Baghdad’s curse gives your fighting and shopping loop a clear reason to keep moving forward.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10