Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love builds on the series’ signature blend of adventure-style social interactions and strategic mech combat. During the adventure mode, you explore a beautifully recreated 1928 New York, moving between landmarks like Times Square, Central Park, and the subway system. Conversations with your fellow Star Division members drive both the narrative and the character relationships, with quick-time dialogue choices that influence affection levels and ultimately determine which heroine’s ending you’ll unlock.

Combat shifts to a fully realized 3D battlefield, where you pilot steam-powered mechs alongside your Kagekidan teammates. Each turn, you allocate action points to perform basic attacks, defend, or unleash unique special moves. Positioning and timing are crucial: placing allies in flanking positions can boost your attack power, while holding ground can charge up powerful team-based combination attacks. This strategic depth adds a rewarding layer to each skirmish.

The fusion of decision-driven story segments with tactical battles creates a dynamic pacing that keeps the experience fresh. Even if you opt to focus on one heroine’s route, switching dialog choices and combat strategies offers replay value. With six distinct endings tied to relationships with each member of the New York Star Division, Sakura Wars encourages multiple playthroughs to see everything the game has to offer.

Graphics

The art direction in So Long, My Love is a standout, marrying the franchise’s classic anime-inspired character designs with a richly detailed 1920s New York backdrop. Character portraits during dialogue are crisp and expressive, capturing each heroine’s personality—from Ratchet’s confident smirk to the shy glances of newcomer Margaret. Subtle facial animations and smooth lip-syncing during key scenes make conversations feel alive.

On the battlefield, mech models are rendered in full 3D with intricate steam-punk details, from the brass rivets on the joints to the glowing energy cores. Environmental textures—cobblestone streets, art deco skyscrapers, and wrought-iron fire escapes—convey a strong sense of place. Dynamic lighting effects, such as the glow of street lamps and the flare of special attacks, heighten the cinematic feel of each encounter.

While the game sticks to a slightly muted color palette to evoke the era, it balances atmospheric lighting with vibrant character outfits. The steampunk aesthetic blends seamlessly with period-accurate architecture, creating a world that feels both fantastical and grounded. Even on older hardware, frame rates remain solid, ensuring battles and story sequences flow without distracting hiccups.

Story

Set in the roaring 1920s, Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love introduces Shinjiro Taiga, nephew of series protagonist Ichirou Oogami. Sent from Japan to command alongside Ratchet Altair and her all-female New York Star Division, Shinjiro steps into a foreign city fraught with cultural clashes and supernatural threats. The narrative cleverly weaves real-world landmarks with steampunk-infused lore, grounding its more fantastical elements in recognizable history.

The central plot revolves around the resurrection of a fearsome medieval Japanese warlord on American soil. As demons and mechanical monstrosities threaten the city, the team must rally both public support and personal resolve to stand against the looming evil. Interpersonal moments—late-night gatherings at jazz clubs, heartfelt conversations in Central Park, and humorous banter on the subway—deepen the cast’s bonds and add emotional weight to the looming crisis.

Branching dialogue choices not only shape Shinjiro’s relationships with the six heroines but also reveal layers of backstory for each character. From Ratchet’s leadership struggles to Carole and Azami’s dancer friendship, the game balances supernatural stakes with intimate character drama. Each romance route unlocks unique scenes and epilogues, rewarding players who invest in multiple playthroughs.

Overall Experience

Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love successfully revitalizes a beloved franchise by transplanting its core elements into an elegant, Jazz Age setting. The combination of heartfelt character moments, branching romance paths, and strategic mech battles offers a comprehensive package for fans of both visual novels and tactical RPGs. Newcomers will appreciate the accessible tutorial segments, while veterans will enjoy the series-honed mechanics and deep relationship system.

The audio design further elevates the experience, featuring a lush orchestral soundtrack with period-appropriate jazz motifs and stirring battle themes. Voice acting—available in both Japanese and English—is consistently strong, conveying urgency during combat and warmth during character-driven scenes. The sound effects of clashing steel, rumbling mechs, and crackling supernatural energy add another layer of immersion.

While some players may find the pacing slow during lengthy dialogue sections, the engaging cast and sense of discovery in a historic, steam-punk New York keep momentum high. Multiple endings and hidden battle scenarios extend replayability, making So Long, My Love a title that resonates long after the credits roll. For anyone seeking a blend of charming storytelling, tactical challenge, and period flair, this installment of Sakura Wars is a memorable journey worth undertaking.

Retro Replay Score

7.3/10