Heroes of Spyria
- May 26, 2023
- Vesper Studios
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Heroes of Spyria" is a classic JRPG-style game that brings nostalgic vibes from NES/SNES titles like Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, and Legend of Zelda. Embark on an epic journey with a brave trio and a cast of supporting characters to save the world from the evil LEGION. With turn-based combat, leveling, and unlocking powerful abilities, the game offers over 20 hours of gameplay, side-quests, achievements, and hidden secrets.
PC
Windows
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features a heartfelt story with engaging characters and well-written dialogue, reminiscent of classic JRPGs.
- Gameplay includes a variety of side quests and character interactions that add depth and emotional weight to the narrative.
- The combat system is strategic and rewarding, allowing players to utilize buffs, debuffs, and various skills effectively.
- The graphics and assets are largely standard RPG Maker fare, lacking originality and polish in some areas.
- The encounter rate can be frustratingly high, leading to tedious grinding and interruptions during exploration.
- Some technical issues, such as crashes and soft locks, have been reported, which can detract from the overall experience.
- story110 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is a classic "stop a demon incursion" plot, but it excels through its engaging character development and unexpected twists that elevate the narrative. While the main storyline is straightforward, the depth of inter-character relationships and the emotional weight of side quests add richness to the experience. Overall, players find the story compelling, heartfelt, and well-crafted, making it a standout feature of the game.
“This is a lovingly crafted game, with a surprisingly moving story (bonus points for re-nameable characters, of course).”
“The story was really engaging and heartfelt; it made me feel sad for these characters and happy for them too. By the end of the story, I couldn't help but have a smile on my face.”
“While it's 'just' another world-saving story that doesn't do anything revolutionary, it's an epic tale with some twists, a pervading sense of adventure, many great characters (including the antagonists) and their (tragic) backstories.”
“The main story is pretty simple, sealed portal to an evil demon in a hell dimension held shut by several seals of protection. Very simple main story quest line, where it shines is the inter-character engagements and the individual character stories.”
“There are a few plot resolutions which aren't as satisfying as I'd hoped, and the TP system for weapon skills in combat doesn't feel well realized.”
“Some choices have a bit of an impact on the story (sometimes even hours later), but otherwise, the story is linear and features one ending with some variations based on choices.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics primarily utilize RPG Maker assets, which some players find familiar, but they are enhanced by beautiful custom artwork and well-crafted cutscenes that enrich the storytelling experience. While the character portraits show inconsistency due to redesigns, the overall visual presentation, including the mapping and character busts, is praised for its quality and charm. The combination of these elements, along with competent music and sound effects, contributes to an engaging atmosphere.
“Along the way, the player can admire many well-crafted cutscenes and a few very beautiful pieces of custom artwork, which are proof of how the game succeeds in making the player invested in the story.”
“The bust artwork for the characters is gorgeous, the mapping is really good, the story has got me, the characters I'm already becoming invested in, and a solid battle system.”
“Graphics/assets are basically what come bundled with the engine for the most part, and I've seen it a million times.”
“My only gripes are that apparently at some point the character portraits were redesigned to look better, but a few side characters here and there retained the original portraits, and it clashes with the rest because the art style is a bit different.”
“Yes, the graphics are... well, RPG Maker graphics, but they are nicely complemented with beautiful artwork (including 19 bromides), competent music and sound effects, and a lot of heart.”
- grinding12 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding in the game to be rewarding, enhancing character development and contributing to a satisfying storyline, despite some encounters becoming tedious. The game offers a balanced level curve and quality-of-life features that make grinding optional rather than mandatory, allowing players to engage with the content at their own pace. However, some players noted that the combat can become repetitive, as basic attacks often overshadow the use of diverse abilities.
“There are times where the game gets tedious and the encounters become annoying, but it is so worth it when you reach the ending of the game.”
“I trust the balance of a game to match the encounter rate: without running away from battles or grinding for levels, I expect to keep pace with the level curve.”
“- Battle (now I don't mind the random encounters, nor grinding, but my characters had a lot of abilities I never used because I dealt more damage with basic hits (especially if you give Winter/Rex the quadruple attack), so the boss fight was me just spamming attack on two characters, one spell on the two others, which was a bit boring, no tactics involved.”
- music12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as competent and atmospheric, with a mesmerizing soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. However, some reviewers criticize the reliance on standard RPG Maker sound effects, suggesting that developers should explore more diverse audio options available outside the engine. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's heart and detail, there is a call for more originality in sound design.
“Yes, the graphics are... well, RPG Maker graphics, but they are nicely complemented with beautiful artwork (including 19 bromides), competent music and sound effects, and a lot of heart.”
“Apart from the phenomenal story, writing, and soundtrack, the other great thing is the attention to detail.”
“The soundtrack is mesmerizing and adds to the atmosphere.”
“The music and sound effects are standard RPG Maker stuff you see in just about every game for some reason.”
“There's lots of free music and sound effects out there; break out of the box of using what comes with the game engine.”
“The music and sound effects feel generic and uninspired, lacking any unique identity.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its engaging turn-based combat and nostalgic old-school JRPG mechanics, which are effectively implemented despite drawing inspiration from classic titles like the 2D-era Final Fantasy games. Players appreciate the fun and compelling story, along with unique mechanics that enhance the overall experience. Additionally, the "accurate playtime" plugin is noted for improving gameplay time tracking.
“I love turn-based combat and I love using its mechanics to dominate my opposition.”
“Excellent gameplay.”
“It's a fun game with a good story and interesting twists, and I like the old school JRPG gameplay.”
“There's a plugin called 'accurate playtime' which will make the gameplay time accurate when saving.”
“Many of them feature a unique mechanic, and while most of them have been borrowed from certain inspirations (like the 2D-era Final Fantasy games), they are implemented competently.”
- character development8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
"Heroes of Spyria" is praised for its exceptional character development, which is intricately woven into a compelling and humorous storyline filled with twists. Players appreciate the emotional depth and rewarding nature of the characters' growth, making it a standout title in the JRPG genre.
“Heroes of Spyria is a very rare gem in the world of JRPGs, and has one of the best storylines of games I've played along with character development.”
“If you like character development, great and at times quite touching storylines, with rewarding grinding sprees, this is the game for you.”
“The story is engaging, humorous, and rife with character development.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as engaging and effective, with moments that elicit genuine laughter, though some players feel conflicted about the moral implications of certain comedic scenarios. The script and dialogues are praised for their wit, although they could benefit from additional proofreading. Overall, the balance between humor and serious moments contributes positively to the character development and storytelling.
“The story is engaging, humorous, and rife with character development.”
“Script and dialogues are great (though they could have done with more proofreading), and the serious moments are as well written as the humorous ones.”
“It is funny a couple of times (10/10 will try to steal from the king again) and at other times, I feel robbed by involuntarily robbing someone I do not want to (like a poor family's life savings).”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game delivers a deeply engaging and heartfelt story that evokes a range of emotions, leaving players feeling both sadness and joy for the characters. With strong character development and touching narratives, it offers a rewarding experience that resonates long after the game ends.
“The story was really engaging and heartfelt; it made me feel sad for these characters and happy for them too. By the end of the story, I couldn't help but have a smile on my face.”
“If you like character development, great and at times quite touching storylines, with rewarding grinding sprees, this is the game for you.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a spine-chilling color palette that beautifully contrasts picturesque settings with eerie dungeons, while a mesmerizing soundtrack further immerses players in this haunting environment.
“The selection of color palette creates a spine-chilling atmosphere, from picturesque villages, forests, and mountains to spooky dungeons.”
“The soundtrack is mesmerizing and adds to the atmosphere.”
