Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Guren’s core gameplay revolves around first-person, turn-based battles against a variety of “ghost” creatures that have overrun ancient Japanese villages. Encounters are triggered randomly as you explore each area, keeping exploration tense and unpredictable. Combat itself is straightforward but strategic: you select attacks, items or skills in each turn, balancing offense and defense while monitoring your party’s health and status.

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What sets Guren apart is its training-based progression system. Instead of automatically gaining experience points from every battle, you collect money—either dropped by defeated monsters or earned through part-time jobs—and spend it to raise specific attributes like strength, HP or agility. This frees you from fixed levelling tables and lets you tailor Li Liehuo’s growth to your preferred playstyle, whether that’s a hardy front-liner or a faster, glass-cannon approach.

Outside of combat, the game offers a light dating-sim layer. By interacting with your female party members in villages, giving them gifts and choosing who accompanies you into battle, you influence relationship levels and unlock unique sub-quests or bonus scenes. This mechanic encourages replayability, as different gift and party combinations yield new dialogue, side-stories and even alternate endings.

Graphics

Visually, Guren embraces a classic anime-inspired aesthetic. Character portraits are colorful and expressive, capturing both the courage of Tsukikage and the stoicism of Li Liehuo. Backgrounds depict rural Japanese settings—wooden huts, misty forests and ancient shrines—with brushstroke-like textures that evoke traditional ink paintings.

In-battle animations are modest but effective. When enemies are defeated, female monsters dramatically disrobe in a sequence that underscores the game’s erotic leanings. While these scenes are tastefully rendered with clean linework and smooth transitions, they remain optional in tone—viewers who wish to skip them can do so without disrupting the flow of combat.

Performance is generally stable across all areas, with no noticeable frame drops or long loading screens. The user interface is clear and intuitive: health bars, skill icons and currency counters are all legible, and menus are logically organized. Whether you’re equipping weapons, assigning training points or reviewing relationship statuses, the UI keeps you oriented without getting in the way of exploration.

Story

Set against the turmoil of ancient Japan, Guren’s narrative opens with villages under siege by vengeful spirits. The general in charge forms a special unit named “Guren” (Crimson Lotus) to combat the threat. You step into the shoes of Li Liehuo, the only male member tasked with recruiting a team of brave women to uncover the dark forces behind the ghostly rampages.

The tale intensifies when Li meets Tsukikage, a fearless and kind-hearted warrior, only to watch her abducted by a towering demon. What follows is equal parts rescue mission and mystery investigation as you explore haunted hamlets, track down fellow Guren recruits and piece together the demon’s motives. The plot weaves serious supernatural themes with lighter character-driven moments, striking a balanced tone.

Character interactions play a central role, as each recruit has her own background, fears and hopes. By deepening your bonds—through dialogue choices, gifts and mission selection—you unlock personal subplots that shed light on the team’s dynamics and the true origin of the “ghost” phenomenon. This multi-threaded storytelling ensures that your relationships impact the overarching mystery in meaningful ways.

Overall Experience

Guren delivers a compelling blend of turn-based JRPG mechanics, training-based progression and dating-sim elements, all wrapped in a richly detailed ancient Japanese setting. The mix of strategic battles, character customization and relationship management creates a unique pacing that keeps each session fresh. Whether you’re hunting down a powerful demon or enjoying a heartfelt moment with Tsukikage, there’s always something compelling to do.

Its erotic elements are integrated thoughtfully, adding a playful edge without overwhelming the core adventure. Fans of mature anime-styled RPGs will appreciate the tasteful presentations and variety of unlockable scenes. Meanwhile, the flexible advancement system and engaging side-quests offer depth for completionists and casual players alike.

Ultimately, Guren stands out as a niche title that caters to those seeking an adult-themed RPG with strong character interactions, strategic freedom and a lush historical backdrop. If you’re drawn to supernatural mysteries, turn-based combat and anime aesthetics—paired with romance and risqué fan service—this crimson lotus is ready to bloom on your gaming shelf.

Retro Replay Score

null/10