Rubi

Hello adventurers!
Since recently Rubi: Fire Spirit was released, I decided to finally try, complete and review the original Rubi. Yes, because Rubi: Fire Spirit is a remake of the game here reviewed, made by Ocean with Rpgmaker2003 in three days for the RMN Weekend Gamemaking Binge event in 2011!

This game is a simple action rpg that can easily be beaten in less than 30 minutes, but hey, it was an event game made in three days, do I have to tell that again? Basically this game takes place in a single area/dungeon and a simple, short lighthearted story about a girl of the Mountain Shrine that can see and talk to the spirits (even if no one has her power so she looks like she's sìtalking with herself!). When the spirits are hit by a ice curse she decides to intervene and do her part...


Rubi may look like a cute little girl, but she can defend herself!

Ok, as I wrote before this is an action game, so please forget the usual Rpgmaker2003 combat system! Here things are quite different: combat is in real time and we can move Rubi freely. She has a physical attack that hits up to two tiles in the front, but hey, that's risky because Rubi can be hit! Spells are a better weapon in her arsenal, but sadly limited by the necessity to spend mana to use them... and no, there are no mana potions, mana is recovered waiting, but it takes some time. Oh and do not forget to use bandaged to heal, anyway there is a handy tutorial in the beginning that teaches the basics of battles. Combat is balanced and every spell has its use, so well done!

Enemies do not respawn, but they will drop some money that can be spent later at a shop before facing the final boss (Rubi can equip some accessories). Then there's the epilogue, and that's it, but despite the shortness it felt a complete and well detailed scenario. I liked a lot the dialogues and especially the ending!

Visually the game is beautiful. Do I really have to tell you? Come on, just look at the pics, the assets come from Sword of Mana but there is also something made by Ocean and the different sprites merge perfectly together. Mapping is also excellent, I especially liked the temple area and the human village, they look really good, this is a colorful and lively setting perfectly integrated with the lighthearted story.


Toys? TOYS??? Come on, I just showed Rubi destroying a monster... we need more than toys!

Final Verdict
Rubi is a short but really colorful and charming game whose only flaws are some passability bugs and nothing else. The combat system is different from the usual Rpgmaker2003 games and it's also well implemented (and it's ok even in a short game). But if you do not like the combat system, don't worry because there aren't too many battles, and you can also take advantage of the extra lives, represented by the hearts (you can also buy one more if you really need!). In short, thirty minutes of fun for me!