This time, I'd like to introduce a game called "Mad Princess: The Magnificent Fighters."
This is the next installment in a series based on the free simulation game "Mad Princess Diodela's Ambition."
I thoroughly enjoyed playing this free game, so I bought this one thinking it would definitely be fun too.
Mad Princess ~Diodela's Ambition~
This time it's shareware, but it has an interesting combat system and the fun of being able to freely explore the world.
As of September 2018, it was priced at 1800 yen (excluding tax), but it was very interesting.
I'll be writing about the overview, appeal, and my impressions of this game, which I definitely enjoyed and got more than my money's worth.
As of May 2020, the price is 1980 yen including tax.
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Game Overview
The protagonist is the player's avatar, so they generally don't speak.
You choose your gender and start as a slave gladiator.
Once you complete the initial events, you can freely travel the world.
My immediate goal is to aim for victory in the various tournaments held in the arena, while also growing stronger by completing adventures and quests.
Various character events await you in different locations, and you may even be able to recruit them as allies.
It's a game with a similar feel to Koei's "Jill All".
Game system, screen, etc.
Map movement
Map movement involves moving along lines connecting bases, as shown on the screen.
Because it involves the concepts of days and hours, travel takes time, and some facilities are closed at night.
However, since I could still shop at stores even at night, I didn't find it particularly inconvenient.
townspeople
The town is home to numerous NPCs, and your relationship with them will improve as you talk to them and give them gifts.
As your affection level with certain characters increases, events will progress, and some characters may even join your party.
You can only bring one partner, so it's a good idea to bring the partner you like best.
There are also many individual endings.
Request-related
If you go to a tavern, you can take on various requests.
The jobs include delivering goods, exploring dungeons, and defeating monsters.
Exploring dungeons costs money, and the real fun lies in earning money by doing various jobs and growing stronger.
training
At the training ground, which is the starting point, you can train the protagonist.
Normally, your HP and other stats increase as you level up, but in the training grounds, you can improve various skills and ability scores.
To perform the training, you will need training points corresponding to the menu.
Training points accumulate naturally as you accomplish various things during the game.
Using weapons extensively, achieving good results in the arena, staying at inns—all sorts of actions earn you training points.
Therefore, there are hardly any wasted actions in the game, allowing you to enjoy the fun of growing through various actions.
battle
The battle screen looks like the image above.
It's basically a turn-based command battle system, but the concept of CT (Charge Time) is interesting, making it exhilarating and highly addictive.
For example, using the "Sniper" technique on the screen does not consume a turn.
Also, since the cooldown is 5 turns, once you use it, you can't use it again until 5 turns have passed.
However, since defeating an enemy with this skill resets its cooldown to zero, the smartest way to use it is to use it to deliver the final blow.
When a large number of enemies that can be defeated in one hit appear, this technique is extremely useful because it allows you to wipe them out in quick succession.
However, since it consumes a maximum of 100% of your "fighting spirit," it cannot be used indefinitely.
Additionally, there is a skill called "Defense" that increases the shield's defense for 3 turns (CT 6), and a skill called "Helmet Defense" that increases the helmet's defense for 3 turns (CT 6).
It's fun to think about different strategies, such as whether to use both skills simultaneously to maintain an impenetrable defense for three turns and get through the remaining three turns normally, or to use one skill every three turns to maintain a decent defense throughout.
Furthermore, there are nine different types of weapons, each with its own unique skills, allowing you to enjoy a variety of combat styles.
While there are differences in effectiveness, this is a free-form adventure, so it's perfectly fine to stick with your favorite weapon and stick with it.
thoughts
I was able to enjoy myself freely, feeling like an adventurer.
The early stages, when you don't have much equipment or money, and gradually get stronger by doing jobs, are quite enjoyable.
Once you get used to the combat, there's a real sense of satisfaction in trapping your opponents in your own patterns and defeating them.
The hack-and-slash elements of collecting treasure chests and items in dungeons were very exciting.
I feel genuinely happy when I unexpectedly find good equipment in a treasure chest.
However, I felt a little disappointed because most of the NPC dialogue was reused.
Given the large number of people involved, that might be unavoidable.
Furthermore, as your opponents in the arena get stronger as you level up, if you don't raise your character correctly, you'll fall into a vicious cycle where you can't win at all.
Numerically, I was improving, but the problem was that I couldn't pull ahead of my rivals in the arena at all.
I get the feeling they wanted to eliminate situations where you could easily win in the arena.
However, you can enjoy an overpowered experience by carrying over your equipment in New Game Plus mode, and there are also high-difficulty hidden dungeons that are only available in subsequent playthroughs.
Furthermore, it was easy to pursue specific characters, which made repeated playthroughs enjoyable.
Like the aforementioned "Jill All," this game is highly recommended for those who enjoy games with an adventurous atmosphere where you travel the world.
As of May 2020, the price is 1980 yen including tax.
Strategy Notes
1st lap
I'll omit the event-related walkthroughs because the flags are quite complex.
If you find it tedious to raise the affection levels of NPCs during your first playthrough, I felt it would be easier to aim for event completion in your second playthrough.
The "honey" that you can get from the bees in the Temple of the Sun is useful for increasing your favorability.
The weapons I found easiest to use throughout the entire game were the sword, bow, and mace.
Maces are particularly effective against small groups of enemies, while bows are useful against large numbers of weaker foes.
The sword can handle either situation, and with the addition of a shield, it's a versatile weapon.
In the early stages, when you're short on money, aim to purchase the "Perfect Key" in the rogue port town.
It's expensive at 97,000G, but it's extremely useful because it allows you to open all treasure chests at no cost from then on.
Additionally, purchasing the "Amulet Bronze Mirror" for 20,000G at the Mercatori trading port will prevent you from encountering enemies while traveling on the world map, making your gameplay stress-free.
Even if you fully strengthen the protagonist and their partner during your first playthrough, the final boss is still quite formidable.
However, although expensive, you can easily defeat them if you prepare enough healing items.
2nd lap
In the second playthrough, you carry over your equipment, making battles much easier.
However, I need money to acquire a horse that will allow me to travel quickly in order to complete the event.
The easiest way to make money is through the hidden dungeon "Dream Training Palace," which can be accessed from the "Imperial City of Caetina."
By thoroughly avoiding enemies, you can obtain valuable items such as "Reinforcement Whetstone" (8000G) and "Dragon Princess's Tear" (25000G) from their "corpses" and "items."
If there are enemies ahead, you can end the exploration and return to the entrance without any time passing.
By repeating this process, you can easily make money.
Furthermore, one Dragon Princess' Tear can increase affection by 1000, and a Reinforcement Whetstone can increase it by 500.
This significantly reduces the effort required to raise NPC affection levels, so make good use of it.
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