Sword of Convallaria Review – “A Pixel Art JRPG for Final Fantasy Tactics Fans”

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  • A turn-based RPG for fans of Final Fantasy Tactics.
  • Each stage presents a unique challenge.
  • Choose your team from a myriad of heroes.

As a fan of RPGs, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try out XD Entertainment Pte.'s (T3 Arena, Torchilight: Infinite) latest release, Sword of Convallaria. It's been a trip down memory lane so far, as Sword of Convallaria takes me back to my days playing Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together and later Final Fantasy Tactics.

Whenever there's a grid-based combat system paired with gorgeous pixel art graphics, sign me up.

I've been trying out the trial version of the game for about a week and thought it was a good time to write a bit about it.

I am

Let's talk about the gameplay

As I mentioned before, Sword of Convallaria is a turn-based JRPG with a grid-based battle system. If you're a fan of the genre, you already know what to expect.

When it comes to gameplay, Sword of Convallaria doesn't reinvent the wheel. Characters have a certain maximum range in which they can move around the grid and cast their abilities. The range depends mostly on the character's class.

For example, melee tanks must be close to their enemies to perform an attack. On the other hand, a ranger or priest have a much longer range. After all your characters have completed their action, your turn is over and it's your opponent's turn.

The goal is usually to eliminate all enemies. That's the gameplay in a nutshell.

Of course, there are other mechanics that make things a little more interesting. For example, you can make barrels explode and damage surrounding characters. Or some characters have the ability to knock their enemies off the board. Some tiles may burn at certain stages, causing damage to the heroes over time.

Anyway, I don't want to go into too much detail, but what I've liked so far is that each stage is unique and offers a different challenge.

Screenshot from the game Sword of Convallaria. Shows a grid and the characters on it.

History

The story takes place in Iria, a magical city that is part of the ancient continent of Rodinia. Because Iria is renowned for its abundance of resources, it has attracted the envy of other powerful nations. Numerous conflicts between religious and ethnic groups, interference from external factions, and power struggles loom over the city.

As you awaken in a mysterious dungeon, you find yourself entangled in the fate of Iria. Fighting for survival, you escape, only to find yourself in the imperiled city of Convallaria.

Take command of the mercenary group Sword of Convallaria to protect the city and fight for a better future for Iria.

Pixel graphics bring back memories

Simply put, the graphics are gorgeous, at least if you're into that art form. But for me, Sword of Convallaria boasts gorgeous pixel graphics that remind me of old-school RPGs. It's nothing groundbreaking or unique, but the nostalgia is there, and that's undeniable. If you've played games like Octopath Traveler or Stardew Valley before, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

Oh, I shouldn't forget to mention the game's music, which was done by producer Hitoshi Sakimoto. Yes, the same guy who did the soundtrack for FF Tactics and Tactics Ogre.

Character Information

Screenshot from the game Sword of Convallaria. Shows a grid and the characters on it.

When it comes to characters and how to make them stronger, it’s pretty standard. You can level them up and increase their stats, equip gear, or make them stronger with dupes, nothing groundbreaking, really. It’s what you’d expect. What’s interesting, though, is that each character has a unique branching tree. By selecting different passive abilities, you can tailor their performance to suit your playstyle.

There aren't many characters yet, but I'm sure there will be future releases. And yes, there is a gacha system to get new ones.

Progression

So far, progress has been smooth and I've had fun with the game. The energy mechanic can be a bit annoying for those who want to spend hours playing, though. I haven't spent any money on the game, but I haven't had any issues. I mean, I haven't hit a wall or anything.

Now, with that said, keep in mind that I'll only be playing for about a week. I don't know what the ending will be like. I imagine getting duplicates for certain characters might be problematic, but maybe there will be some events? Who knows.

Of course, if you decide to invest money in the game, things will be a little easier. But that's pretty normal with any game that has a gacha mechanic.

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