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The strategy RPG genre boasts a rich history, with titles like Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics captivating players for decades. These games offer deep strategic gameplay, compelling stories, and high replay value. Rise Eterna, released in May 2021 for the Nintendo Switch, attempts to join the ranks of these legendary SRPGs. While boasting impressive visuals, the game unfortunately falls short in key areas.

A Visual Masterpiece

alt text: Screenshot of Rise Eterna showcasing detailed character portraits and a medieval setting.

Rise Eterna immediately captivates with its stunning 2D artwork. The character designs, costumes, and environments are beautifully detailed, drawing players into a world inspired by medieval fantasy. The game portrays a world embroiled in conflict, with kingdoms vying for power amidst political intrigue and widespread war, contrasted with remote villages struggling against ruthless bandits.

Unlike SRPGs that offer vast character rosters, Rise Eterna limits players to 14 recruitable characters. This smaller cast allows for deeper character development, with each character possessing unique appearances, personalities, and playstyles.

alt text: Screenshot of Rise Eterna showcasing character sprites on the battlefield.

Battles in Rise Eterna unfold on grid-based maps reminiscent of Fire Emblem. Interestingly, while the main interface, menus, and character portraits feature high-resolution artwork, the battle sequences utilize pixel art, evoking classic Fire Emblem titles on the SNES and GBA. This blending of art styles isn’t entirely unique, with games like Battle Chasers: Nightwar similarly employing multiple visual approaches.

Gameplay Missteps

alt text: Screenshot of Rise Eterna during a battle sequence, showing character sprites engaged in combat.

Sadly, Rise Eterna’s beautiful exterior masks a flawed core gameplay experience. The developers seemingly attempted to differentiate the game from Fire Emblem but unfortunately made several detrimental changes.

One peculiar mechanic is the absence of an experience system. Characters do not gain experience points or level up after battles. Instead, character progression relies solely on allocating stat points earned after each mission and equipping stat-boosting gems found in levels or dropped by enemies. This system would be less problematic if the game didn’t overwhelm players with numerous enemies whose defeat offers little tangible reward. The lack of meaningful character growth can quickly drain player motivation, especially in a genre known for its grind.

alt text: Screenshot of Rise Eterna highlighting the game's combat interface and environment.

Furthermore, Rise Eterna suffers from poor balance. Unlike Fire Emblem, where early-game difficulty is manageable, Rise Eterna throws players into challenging encounters from the start. The sheer number of enemies and their disproportionate stats can quickly deplete resources, making even basic skirmishes feel like desperate struggles for survival.

This issue is exacerbated by the removal of counterattacks. Both player characters and enemies lack the ability to retaliate after being attacked, leading to tedious battles. This design choice eliminates strategic positioning and tactical considerations, rendering melee and ranged combat equally ineffective.

alt text: Screenshot of Rise Eterna showing the battle animations and pixel art style during combat.

Conclusion

Rise Eterna presents a frustrating case of style over substance. While the game’s artistic presentation is commendable, its flawed gameplay mechanics and questionable design choices ultimately hold it back. It fails to capture the strategic depth and rewarding progression that define the SRPG genre, leaving players with a beautiful but ultimately disappointing experience.