Simple SRPG Crescent Emblem (Free SRPG) Introduction, Impressions, and Strategy Notes

"Simple SRPG Crescent Emblem" is a simulation RPG made with SRPG Studio.
Many character graphics created by "Mikazuki Arpegio," a website that publishes hand-drawn materials, are used.
I feel like I often see this character when playing free games made with RPG Maker.
There are 12 maps in total, and it took about 4 hours to complete (on hard mode).

To aim for a high score, this game requires a puzzle-like strategy, similar to the other works by creator Yamato Ito, where you need to meticulously work through the pieces.
Since it's not a long game, I think it's a worthwhile challenge for dedicated players who are confident in their skills.

Game Overview

As a game, it's a very simple simulation RPG.
You progress through the map by fulfilling the victory conditions for each episode.

In this game, you can earn bonus points by clearing maps in a short number of turns or by gaining new allies.
Bonus points can be exchanged for powerful items during the sortie preparation screen and other stages.
However, the bonus points you have will be displayed when you clear the game, so if you're aiming for a high score, you'll want to conserve your bonus points as much as possible.
If your goal is simply to clear the level, like mine, then I think it's perfectly fine to use it as much as you want.

The storyline is rather understated, so I think the core of this game lies in figuring out how to maximize your bonus points.
I will now explain the various features of this game in order.

Difficulty selection

You can choose the game's difficulty level at the beginning.
Since I chose to play on a specific hardware platform, the following article reflects my experience playing on that platform.

The game's map is small enough to fit on a single screen, making it a manageable size.
However, this also means that the enemy is densely packed, and if you let your guard down and get caught in a concentrated attack, you'll be wiped out very quickly.
Saving can only be done on specific turns: turn 7 and turn 15.
Since you can't save and load at any time, it creates a tense atmosphere and requires careful advancement.

- No character loss

Even if your allied units are defeated, you can deploy them again in the next map.
However, there is a penalty: the bonus points you can earn on that map will be reduced.

• The terrain has a significant effect.

In this game, terrain effects are generally set to be quite high.
While there is a rock-paper-scissors system for weapons, terrain effects are even more significant, so be sure to utilize them actively.

- The arrival of reinforcements cannot be prevented.
In this game, blocking the reinforcement deployment points will not prevent them from appearing.
Reinforcements will appear in a location different from their original spawn point.
However, reinforcements often appear in locations with advantageous terrain, so if you have strong units stationed there, you should be able to deal with them to your advantage.

Review (no spoilers)

It was a challenging and enjoyable game that was well worth completing.
Perhaps it's because it's a hard mode, but units other than those with high defensive capabilities are quickly defeated when attacked, so I struggled with how to avoid taking counterattacks.
For my first playthrough, I just wanted to clear the game, so I played without looking at the included walkthrough.
If you're aiming for a high score and want to optimize your gameplay, it feels like you only truly reach the starting line after clearing the game on Hard mode.

Since the number of deployable units is relatively small, I felt that the choice of which units to train was very important.
Since there are multiple allied units of the same class, it's efficient to check the growth rates in the included strategy guide and then choose which units to train.
I decided to try and complete the game without looking at any walkthroughs the first time around, so I had a hard time deciding who to train, and as a result, some units ended up being only partially trained.
Since it's not a long game, you don't have much time to think about which units to raise.

While level 1 units often have a higher growth rate than units that are already somewhat leveled up from the start, it's also true that they have less time to be trained.
I think it's necessary to discard some low-level characters when they join the party.

My bonus points ultimately amounted to 2095.
My allies were defeated quite a lot in Chapters 10 and 11, and I used a lot of bonus exchange items, so I think my resources have been reduced considerably.
According to comments after clearing the game, reaching over 5000 points makes you a pro.

The first thing we should aim for isHard difficulty, no teammate injuries, and no bonuses used.That's probably the gist of it, but even that alone seems like it would be quite difficult.
Rather than striving for perfection, I think the key to enjoying this game is to set reasonable goals that suit your skill level.

Strategy notes + character impressions (contains spoilers)

The included strategy guide contains many tips and tricks, so if you read that, you shouldn't make too many mistakes.
The second half gets considerably more difficult, so I'll write down a few notes.

Strategy Notes

・Chapter 10
Since securing combat personnel was crucial, Mizuki was not deployed, and instead, a large number of keys were purchased to use as a substitute.
Also, I think it's best to have only one healer, and supplement their healing with long heals and potions.
The terrain has a floor effect that increases magic defense, so having two units that can attack with bows makes battles easier.

Upon entering the room containing the five treasure chests, a druid wielding Shadowgate will immediately appear from the stairs.
Since it's dangerous, I think it's best to mobilize all units except Korat to retrieve it just before clearing the stage.
The contents of the treasure chests are mainly status-enhancing items.

・Chapter 11
After luring the enemy's main cavalry force somewhat to the west, we positioned some of our troops as a shield and launched a swift attack on the boss from the east.
To get the special bonus, you have to go head-to-head with enemy reinforcements, but I just ran away because I was happy as long as I could clear the stage.
Since there are many spearmen, it would be a good idea to have axe users or mobile fighters act as tanks if they are well-trained.

・Chapter 12
The initial onslaught from Zelhardt's troops is tough, but if you have a magic-user with decent HP and defense use Greed, you can wipe them out even by yourself.
Zelhart's attack power is high, so be sure to stay out of his attack range.
Once we've dealt with Zelhardt's unit, the rest won't be actively moving, so we can handle them calmly.

Character usage impressions

I'd like to write about my impressions of the members I deployed on the final map.

Korat

Due to its good growth rate, it ultimately became a very reliable unit.
I often equipped her with bonus weapons and healing orbs and sent her into battle alone.

Rosalia

I couldn't shake the image of him being reliable in the early stages, so I ended up using him until the very end.
The low speed was a fatal flaw, but I managed to fight through by compensating with weapons.
To be honest, I'm starting to think I should have moved on to a different unit.

Cedric

Its power level is on the lower side, but it performed well on a considerable number of maps.
I used both the Silver Bow, which prioritizes power, and the Proud Bow, which prioritizes accuracy, switching between them as my main weapons until the very end.

Lumiere

As a magic-user character with sufficient skill and speed, she was easy to use.
If you have enough durability to survive a single hit, you can equip Greed and become unstoppable.

Alice

Honestly, Maria would have been fine too, but we chose her because of her youth.
Since its sole role is healing, there's nothing particularly noteworthy about its performance.

Malice

I wasn't able to raise him to the same level as Lumiere, but he served well as my second-in-command wizard.
If you can increase your agility enough to pursue with Greed, you'll get an even better rating.

Alf

He is an archer who surpasses Cedric in strength and mobility.
This character was also fairly well-developed from the time of its introduction, so I was able to use it effectively until the very end.

Emoria

He's an attacker with heavy single-hit attacks, and he's crushed many enemies with his megaton hammer.
While it lacks agility, its attack power, which is strong enough to defeat enemy magic users in a single hit, is a major draw.
It's not very durable, so it's difficult to put it on the front.

Maria

This is a fully-fledged healing unit right from its introduction.
Its magic defense is quite high, so it can even act as a shield against mages.

・ Marietta

I was torn between raising Frau or her, and in the end, I couldn't decide which one to raise.
There's a feeling that it will become strong if it grows up properly.
In the final map, I think it would have been better to deploy a different unit.