ActRaiser Renaissance

 Switch
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 26
  3. Negative: 3 out of 26

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  1. Sandrick
    Sep 24, 2021
    9
    I've played through the original countless times, changed the battery on my SNES cartridge once. Actraiser was the game, other than SMW and Pilotwings, that sold me on getting the system back in 1990 when it launched. Saved up a lot of allowance for that and it was my first real purchase as an "adult" of 11 yrs old.

    I was HIGHLY skeptical of this remake, especially since the first that    I've played through the original countless times, changed the battery on my SNES cartridge once. Actraiser was the game, other than SMW and Pilotwings, that sold me on getting the system back in 1990 when it launched. Saved up a lot of allowance for that and it was my first real purchase as an "adult" of 11 yrs old.

    I was HIGHLY skeptical of this remake, especially since the first that I ever heard about it was after the Nintendo Direct on 9/23/21. There was absolutely no hype or previews for this game in any gaming news whatsoever. I threw caution to the wind, and boy am I glad that I did.

    They did a wonderful job of preserving the nonchalant two styles of gameplay that consist of the action and strategy portions. It is by no means a difficult or complex game, but what it does have- what it always had- is a lot of charm.

    I truly appreciate the art in the cutscenes that elaborates on the text-based story portions. I really like the ways in which the gameplay has been expanded: horde invasions occur every once in a while and demand that you fortify your city with tower defenses. It is still very basic combat compared to many other strategy sims we have these days, but again, that is the charm of it. It isn't punishing to the level that the player becomes frustrated. The only small gripe that I have with the strategy portion is that there is a lot of dialogue. Every time I am about to use a miracle or upgrade a fortress, the action seems to pause and take me to the temple because they have something to tell me-- but it is a minor issue. The text could have been streamlined a bit, but it DOES serve to help flesh out the original's bare-bones story a bit more.

    Now the action sequences-- at first, the 3D style is a bit jarring. When you are so used to the old-school charming graphics of the 1990s classic, that is bound to be the case. The hero has a light trail that follows him (a la Alucard in SOTN) and feels a little floaty comparatively, but let's be honest... he controls a LOT better than the very stiff hero in the original. There was never a time that I was pissed because it was hard to hit an enemy. There are more attacks now. You can do an uppercut-style slice, forward 3 hit, ground pound, and magic can be changed on the fly. In the original, you had to choose your magic before you started and were bound to that for the entire level.

    Also, the levels have been tweaked so that they are not as punishing either. If you fall into the water you don't die, but you do take damage.

    There is a LOT of new content on display here, including heroes in each region that help defend your civilization. Altogether, I was very pleasantly surprised by this unannounced gem of a title. The team that put it together should be very proud. They did a wonderful service to Actraiser 1990 and added a large amount of new content that not only fits the game but adds a depth to it that I never knew it could have. I am only at the third region in the game (6 hours in maybe?) but I am loving it so far.    … Expand
  2. dharma
    Sep 25, 2021
    9
    Actraiser Renaissance is essentially a remastered version of the so called cult classic. I played the original but never completed it, but its unique combination of platforming and world building got me hooked from the get go. This remastered version came as a surprise and a highlight for me in the latest Nintendo Direct. I couldn't stop playing it, it's that good. They also got YuzoActraiser Renaissance is essentially a remastered version of the so called cult classic. I played the original but never completed it, but its unique combination of platforming and world building got me hooked from the get go. This remastered version came as a surprise and a highlight for me in the latest Nintendo Direct. I couldn't stop playing it, it's that good. They also got Yuzo Koshiro back to remaster and create a new soundtrack for this game, wow... A great purchase and with this version, essentially one of the best games on the Switch outside Nintendo's usual outings.… Expand
  3. Ony1
    Sep 25, 2021
    9
    This is a fantastic budget remake but with lot of heart and care, very oldschool but with modern Quality life improvements il list some of the pros, cons and Mixed:

    Pros: Combat has been expanded and improved The Sim town builder mode is even better and more involved, has a tower defense mini game intergraded. Expanded story and Lore Fantastic Music Great Artstyle Mixed: The master    This is a fantastic budget remake but with lot of heart and care, very oldschool but with modern Quality life improvements il list some of the pros, cons and Mixed:

    Pros: Combat has been expanded and improved

    The Sim town builder mode is even better and more involved, has a tower defense mini game intergraded.

    Expanded story and Lore

    Fantastic Music Great Artstyle Mixed:

    The master looks diffrent and more anime? i think he looks awesome but some people might not like it.

    2d combat graphics are a bit jarrin and look like HD ps1/Saturn style

    Sound effects lack oomph compared to the Snes version{his iconic grunt was removed :( }

    Cons:

    Switch version has a bit of frame rate issues specially on handheldmode nothing awful but it can be noticable for people sensitive to this, on ps4 and steam this does not to be a issue.    … Expand
  4. thryce3
    Nov 29, 2021
    9
    Let me preface this by saying I've been waiting for more Actraiser for almost 30 years. Renaissance does a great job of capturing the feel of the original with more modern gameplay. It adds a tower defense aspect to the simulation sections, which wasn't necessary but I ultimately enjoyed. The action parts are less methodical and generally easier, but still very enjoyable. Of course theLet me preface this by saying I've been waiting for more Actraiser for almost 30 years. Renaissance does a great job of capturing the feel of the original with more modern gameplay. It adds a tower defense aspect to the simulation sections, which wasn't necessary but I ultimately enjoyed. The action parts are less methodical and generally easier, but still very enjoyable. Of course the music from the original is some of if not THE best video game music of all time. The new versions sound as good as ever and I was smitten from the opening notes.
    The other major addition is the heroes of each realm. This leads to more dialogue and more involved story elements. I enjoyed this as well, but it does take away some of the simplistic charm of the original.
    Unfortunately, this also leads to the games biggest disappointment. When speaking to the heroes, the angel refers to the Master as "they". At first it's just confusing as it makes no grammatical sense. It doesn't even happen that often, but that just makes it more jarring when it does. It ultimately has little impact on the game overall, but that's what makes it so irritating. It could just not be there and everyone would be happy. It really is a shame, because I'd honestly give it a 10 if it weren't for that.
    For someone new to Actraiser, I expect he or she would get a fair amount of enjoyment, but it won't set his or her world on fire. Fans will find a lot to love, but it won't replace the original. I just hope it gets enough attention to do an Actraiser 2 remake (maybe with added simulation) and then Actraiser 3!    … Expand
  5. Grimleaf
    Oct 14, 2021
    8
    I was excited to play this remake and it didnt disappoint nor exceed my expectations but I am glad to support the attention to forgotten gems like actraiser. I could have done with a bit less of the horde sieges and more sode scrolling but all in all I'm ha happy with the additions to the game and I hope square remakes or makes sequels to more of their underappreciated ips.
  6. holandeses301
    Nov 14, 2021
    10
    one of the pleasant surprises of the year, it keeps 100% of the original while including elements that in my opinion are very welcome.
  7. zdemigodx
    Sep 25, 2021
    9
    I'm at around 20 hours, its a very fun game, I remember being a child and being completely lost on what to do, the remake gives me a chance to really enjoy the game many years into the future.
  8. LastResource
    Jan 14, 2023
    10
    worth it and glad to play this game again. so much memories and nostalgia within this 16bit game in the franchise.

Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Cubed3
    Dec 20, 2021
    60
    The rearranged soundtrack coupled to new compositions is stunningly awesome, as Yuzo Koshiro recaptures brilliantly the spirit of the original and the gameplay of the side-scrolling sections is even better than in the original. However, the questionable choices in the art direction, the bugs, poor performance and the, at times, way too wordy expanded script, mar the experience in such a way that what should have been the masterful return of a masterpiece instead turns out to be a nice introduction to the classic for new audiences, but not much more. There's no shaking the feeling that this re-release was not treated with all the care that such an important landmark title deserved. The extra content sweetens the deal somewhat, and encourages fans of the original to come back for more, but the price of admission for such an end result is a bit too much perhaps.
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  2. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Nov 30, 2021
    68
    Nice remaster of an unusual game that successfully blends together platformer, strategy and god-sim genres. Playing as an omnipotent deity is a rare treat these days, and the great soundtrack makes it even better. [Issue#256, p.59]
  3. RPG Fan
    Oct 27, 2021
    90
    There’s nothing like Actraiser Renaissance‘s seamless genre-blending, and the surprising depth in each facet makes the game all the more timeless. The extensive main campaign is followed by newly added post-game content that keeps the surprises coming, including an additional area to develop and a score mode. The ways to approach Actraiser Renaissance are as boundless as the content it provides, making it a revival that is well worth experiencing.
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