Sunrider: Mask of Arcadius

OK, it is more than a bit rough around the edges, default Ren'Py UI, original English (badly) pretending to be a Japanese translation, the cast being a standard set of -deres, and memes and references that had been kinda cringe even back when this came out... But it is somehow a dark an epic war story all the same. You should try it, it's free. Just don't believe those difficulty level descriptions, apart from the lowest they're all quite challenging in the latter half of the game. BTW, about the "dark" part... Without going into spoiler territory, ugly stuff happens as you play, uglier stuff is mentioned in the backstory, innocent bystanders die, Machiavelli is referenced, and there are some VERY morally questionable choices you're allowed to make.

The game is very obviously set up to make you buy the sequel, as it feels like only half the story was told. Other than that, it is an interesting game with some fun, if cliche characters.

This is my first Graphic Novel video game purchase. Personally, I like a game with a good story plus good gameplay. This has both a good story and the turn-based strategy tactic gameplay, like Final Fantasy Tactics. This is a harem themed game where there is one male main character with all other supporting characters are girls. I really like this game. Played through it in 2 days. Put in about 10 hours total in Graphic Novel mode because I wanted to focus on the story. I also did all the side stories, not much, to level up my characters. Each character has personality, which I like, except for the main protaganist. He's kinda bland and reacts emotionally to every situation, more so, than the female characters, which is odd. So, let's get the HCG out of the way. There is ONLY one scene, which is a shower scene, which shows bare breasts. That's it! The character drawings are ok. I do know it is a particular style, Graphic Novel style, but I think the characters could have been done better, maybe with more details, since it is not animated, it shouldn't be too much of a demand. The 3D images of the techs are pretty cool. Reminds me of Gundam series, or any old space opera anime from the 80s, which I was a huge fan of when I was a kid.

The play order I followed was one I saw recommended, and it worked well, so I do recommend going MoA > Academy > LD. MoA is actually the strongest stand-alone game. This ironic because it's the free game of the trio, but it also was good enough in hindsight that my frustrations with the other two games were mitigated, and I was happy to have retroactively paid the developer money for the experience. MoA has a very fun space-combat system mixed into the visual-novel story. Played at the base/easiest difficulty, it's very approachable and entertaining, while still being casual. The cast is also strong and fun overall, which is a very big plus where many visual novels only have one or two interesting characters. MoA has two major issues. The combat game's animations are neat, but can't be skipped on the enemy turn, which makes the enemy turns, especially in late game fights, very painful to click through. (LD fixes this issue, but overcompensates, which I'll get into on that game's review) The second issue is basically a content warning. One of the characters effectively sexually assaults the player character, but it's played off for laughs. Some people don't care, but the people that would, will be REALLY put off by that one throw-away scene. In MoA, the only nudity is completely out of left field, and has almost no connection to plot coherency at all. Very much felt tacked on for no reason beyond being able to say it has nude CGs. Game would've been better if those were left out, in my opinion, but they aren't as bothersome as the content-warning I explained above. (basically a shower-scene for one of the cast members) Overall, I consider MoA the best single game, and it was good enough that I don't regret investing in the rest of the series. Hope this helped! --Cy

To put it shortly: solid turn-based strategy with anime aesthetics and elements of visutal novel for flavor. The game holds even if you are interested mostly on the strategy part. Plus, it is free. ... [url=https://www.gog.com/game/sunrider_mask_of_arcadius]Sunrider: Mask of Arcadius[/url] is a very solid turn-based strategy game featuring space combat among both starships and mechas. Then there is the dialogue between missions to carry on the story, although there are also events during battles that complete the story as well. The strategy part is worth it even if you do not care for the dialogue that much. It has some especially silly moments, while there are other times when the story is more dignified. It achieves its purpose, giving flavor to the battles. The players mobile base and mothership, the [b]Sunrider[/b], is a spaceship of new design that combines qualities of a carrier with those of a battleship. Its hangar can accomodate mechas. The player sees things from the point of view of her captain. It is possible to upgrade the Sunrider and the mechas between missions. Also there is a (very handy) simulated combat feature that lets you experiment with development routes iin set virtual battles. There you can make all the changes and fight the opponents that you wish, in order to both improve your tactics and seeing what would work better for you. The game is free. The sequel, Liberation Day, is paid. You can consider Mask of Arcadius as a very generous demo. The game holds. If you like strategy, it is very worth giving it a try.