Co-developed by Cattle Call, Grezzo, and FuRyu, The Legend of Legacy was an enjoyable yet forgettable RPG when it first launched on the Nintendo 3DS in 2015. Given the fate of many games now confined to the out-of-production console—including some true genre classics—I never expected this title to be brought across to current-generation platforms. However, thanks to the ongoing partnership between Nippon Ichi Software America and FuRyu, that’s exactly what we have with The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered, now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows PC. As the name suggests, this release is a remaster rather than a full remake. Therefore, returning players should not expect substantial changes. However, the seamless transition from a handheld dual-screen format to a traditional controller setup, along with a polished upgrade from the original SD visuals to a crisp HD aesthetic makes this remaster arguably the definitive way to experience the game nearly a decade after its original release.
The Legend of Legacy HD Remaster features a somewhat minimalist narrative that, while ambitious in concept, feels stretched in execution. The story unfolds on the mysterious island of Avalon, where seven adventurers, each with their unique backstory and motivation, embark on a quest to uncover the island’s hidden secrets. Although there is some lore to discover, and the characters are interesting in their own right, several factors hinder the experience. Top among them is the narrative’s focus on multiple main characters, which, while effective when done well, can feel scattered. Additionally, the emphasis on exploration and open-ended gameplay over a more linear storytelling approach, combined with a generally underdeveloped narrative, makes the story less impactful.
A fully-fledged remake might have been an opportunity to delve deeper into these narrative elements. However going down the remaster route, while the plot is decent, it pales in comparison to some of FuRyu’s more recent offerings. Although some shortcomings could be attributed to the limitations of the original platform, The Legend of Legacy followed years after ambitious titles like Bravely Default and ATLUS’s Devil Survivor series – both of which featured not only complex and engaging gameplay but enticing stories that brought the player into their worlds effectively.
One area where The Legend of Legacy truly excels, in my opinion, is its audiovisual quality. The game features soft, watercolour-inspired visuals that bring the world of Avalon to life. While beautiful and inviting on the 3DS despite the platform’s limitations, these visuals shine even more with the HD upgrade nearly a decade later. The art style, with its picturesque backgrounds and detailed chibi-style (yet not overly chibi) character models, is more than capable of delivering an engaging visual experience, enhanced further by impressive animations. The game skillfully combines the classic appeal of old-school RPG design with modern twists, leaving a positive impression from start to finish. This praise extends to its stellar soundtrack, composed by Masashi Hamauzu, renowned for his work on Final Fantasy VII Remake/Rebirth, Final Fantasy XIV, Final Fantasy XIII, and other Square Enix titles. His ability to capture the essence of a game world through music is evident here and makes the soundtrack worth listening to on its own.
Ultimately, my feelings toward the gameplay are mixed. The game nails the fundamentals of a turn-based RPG, with each main character offering enough versatility to prevent your party of three from feeling like a collection of generic classes. However, the system often feels like a scaled-down experience typical of several games in the genre on the 3DS – less creative, less strategic, and with limited enemy variety. The levelling system, while ambitious in focusing on levelling skills and abilities rather than character levels, became tedious after a few hours. Despite this, there’s certainly fun to be had, especially for those who enjoy exploring unique mechanics and savouring the nostalgic feel of a classic RPG. Exploration is a highlight, engaging and rather rewarding, encouraging players to uncover every corner of Avalon and discover its hidden secrets.
The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered offers RPG fans a potentially nostalgic and satisfying, albeit imperfect, return to a lesser-known title that, despite its shortcomings, manages to shine in certain areas. Thanks to the efforts of FuRyu and Nippon Ichi Software America, the transition to modern platforms is smooth, enhancing the game’s already impressive elements, which have arguably become more enchanting over time. While the narrative remains underwhelming and the gameplay can feel simplified and repetitive compared to other RPGs of its era, I am certainly not going to knock their decision to offer it to modern audiences, as there is still quite a bit to enjoy. It may not achieve the heights of some of its contemporaries. However, The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered still provides a worthwhile experience, particularly for those who appreciate the unique blend of classic and modern RPG elements – especially at a time when RPGs tend to adopt more flair.
This review was based on a PlayStation 5 digital copy of The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered, a review code provided by Nippon Ichi Software America to facilitate this review.
The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered is now available to purchase for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Windows PC via Steam.
