Developer: Wolf Team Publisher: Telenet Japan Released: 03/26/93 Genre: Action RPG
RPGs were not abundant for most of the 90s and especially during the 16-bit generation. The SNES bucked that trend somewhat and amassed a respectable library of titles in the genre. The action RPG category was especially stacked with the likes of Soul Blazer, Secret of Mana, and Illusion of Gaia on shelves. Yet it paled in comparison to Japan. There were many great games that never left Japan and sadly Neugier was not one of them. Its decent overall but in the end we didn’t miss out on anything special.
The land of Neugier has seen better days. Its once peaceful shores are under attack by a witch who sinks any ships that come near. When the exiled Prince Duke hears of his country’s troubles he sets out to save his homeland. Unfortunately his ship is attacked en route, setting in motion events that will reveal just how far the country’s corruption has spread. The story plays a role in the game with frequent dialogue but it is very predictable. You’ll see its plot twists coming a mile away but it at least remains interesting throughout the brief period it takes to reach its conclusion.
Neugier was once scheduled to come to the US as The Journey Home: Quest for the Throne. The localization was complete and its few magazine reviews made it sound decent. But its release was cancelled when Sega bought publisher Renovation. Once upon a time I looked forward to its release as I had an interest in anything RPG related. Years later with a fan translation I was able to sate my curiosity. I wish I could say it lived up to my expectations but the game is too short to be worth seeking out.
The closest comparison to Neugier’s gameplay would be A Link to the Past and Lagoon. Duke has a sword with terrible reach although combat isn’t as much of a factor overall. There is no experience system or even inventory for that matter. Your hit points increase by finding hearts while your attack has two ratings, jumping and standing attack. Killing enemies by performing either of the two will raise their level. If you dread grinding don’t worry; it is completely unnecessary. He also acquires a throw chain that functions like the hook shot. It can latch onto walls, push enemies, and grab platforms and boxes to toss around. This is mostly for light puzzle solving although much like combat you won’t have the chance to use it often.
For a game called the journey home the trip is awfully brief. Neugier is over after two hours at most. The game moves at a very brisk pace, revealing its plot twists quickly and never lingering in one area too long. Its few areas can be tricky to navigate but never reach the sprawling size of Brainlord. Combat is so unimportant that you are better off avoiding enemies altogether. That makes an already short game fly by faster.
The biggest victim of the game’s brevity is its gameplay. None of the mechanics have room to grow. The throw chain is a cool weapon but I question its inclusion. There is only one scenario where it is necessary. That particular room is one of the most frustrating in the game and does not justify its inclusion. In the hands of a more skilled team it would have been a crucial game mechanic. The two attack ratings seem like an afterthought, as though the creators wanted to give the game some depth. Too bad it doesn’t work.
In spite of all these flaws I won’t deny that I still had fun. There’s something to be said for a game that gets directly to the point. It could have been my happiness at finally playing a game that I once desired in English but that is not it entirely. The mechanics are the building blocks of a good game. It is just too bad there is not more of it.
In Closing
Is Neugier a bad game? No, but it also has glaring flaws. It is a decent game at its core but it needs more meat on its bones. The SNES/Super Famicom has far too many legendary action RPGs to bother with one not up to snuff.
