For those present in the gaming community before the year 2000, taking a trip down memory lane in older titles creates a comforting feeling, making it no surprise that ports from older consoles onto Nintendo Switch are a popular occurrence. Blending quality of life improvements with retro style graphics has also gained traction in recent years, and that’s exactly where Starlight Legacy slides into view. Is it a copycat 1990s game laced with nostalgia, or is it a star that can shine brightly on its own?
It is hard to pinpoint which element appeals most at the beginning of Starlight Legacy. The jaunty tunes have the right pitch to match RPGs from decades ago and begin to fill up the figurative nostalgia cup. The pretty-to-look-at detailed graphics have both NES and SNES vibes, although the way the screen shimmers at the edges of some perspectives might induce nausea in an unlucky few. Modern technology means that characters are preset in design but the protagonist names can be changed. Default names will be fine for most, but further humour will be added if silly names are picked instead.
The journey from starting with limited magic and skills and enjoying the usual accumulation of the latter as the tale progresses provides a lot of satisfaction. As expected in this type of game, style of menus is retro, but there is great choice in how battle menus are used. Modernists will like the option to use the action or directional buttons for inputting options, while those with a passion for older styles can appreciate the literal menu with the standard options including attacking, magic and items. Having that choice is a nod from the developers that all play preferences are valid.
Friends Ignus and Teryl endure a few quests before they meet up with their other team member Freya. Their friendship serves them well in supporting each other through the regular challenges. They can use any magic and any type of weapons and accessories, but it feels advantageous to let each have a different focus so there are a variety of strengths and weaknesses in the party. For example, instead of giving both a sword, it is a good idea to let one of the team equip an axe for its superior strength. It is easy enough to grind for money near towns if not enough is collected naturally through travel to buy extra items and magic.
Only four magic slots can be used in battle, so picking which spells should remain in use needs a bit of thought. An elemental magic spell is perhaps of more use than one that raises evasion in non-boss battles. The ease of swapping spells allows for strategic use for enemies’ elemental weaknesses, and if some spells have little effect on an area’s enemies then once the current battle is completed it takes a short time to select different spells for a party member. Furthermore, battle skills are obtained when levelling up that can allow guaranteed escape from battle, or hit multiple enemies at once.
One of the noticeably different graphical aspects that demonstrates the benefits of using modern technology compared to older consoles is the use of shadows and light. Standing in front of water causes a full colour reflection with details, whereas in the past it might have been a mere dark shadow without facial features. There are shadows from clouds that float across the grass and add to the immersion of being in the adventure.
Starlight Legacy is meant to be easy for everyone. There are no difficulty settings, and the plot only takes 12-20 hours until the credits roll, depending on how much levelling up is performed and if all side quests are undertaken. Each system is self-explanatory, making it easier to pick up and put down for varied lengths of time without needing to replay lengthy tutorials that larger RPGs require. The lack of difficulty spikes and settings will appeal to those who like a relaxed experience.
