Sainth

Hello!
As promised while writing the review of Wraith, I'm back here to talk about the sequel, the rpgmaker2003 game Sainth, released in 2010. What is Wraith? Well, look HERE if you missed the previous episode of this "failed" trilogy (since a third game was planned but never made, and it was called Candice... but it's NOT the one of the previous review, despite the same name! What a coincidence!) by the author of Alter Aila and Alter Aila Genesis, Neok (or Neo Kuriyo). To appreciate this game you clearly have to play the first episode, ecven if the protagonist is not the same.

I mention these two other titles for a simple reason: while the first episode, Wraith, used visuals similar to those of Alter Aila (or the classic rpgmaker 2k/2k3 style in other words), the sequel is instead using a sort of side-scrolling platformer setup, that is more similar to the exploration of Alter Aila Genesis.


What a nice place! This picture totally reminds of those good old Amiga platformers I used to play when I was young!

Now, as mentioned in the earlier review, here we play as Lily, that is the best friend of Kana, the protagonist of the first game that disappeared after the ending. Lily Collins finds out that Kana has become the "true wraith" (and that's obviously a BAD thing), so to contrast her the Agency (a group that appeared at the end of the first game) wants Lily to become the "true sainth," the opposite of the true wraith.

Unlike the first game this game has no battles and is divided into two gameplay sections: the already mentioned side-scrolling sections in which Lily has to explore the various stages (there are seven) to coollect the sainth essence, and some visual novel sections illustrated with hand drawn scenes made by Neok (my opinion is that these are surely better than the ones in Wraith, sign that the dev's skills improved). There's not much to say about the visual novel parts, only that there is a lot to read and they're well illustrated (even if I didn't liked much the constantly appearing/disappearing of the portrait of one who it talking). There are some grammar errors, but not much, for the rest all ok, even if I must admit I'm no expert of visual novels, but the story is pretty interesting even if there are some unanswered questions and aspects left unclear (but since this was supposed to be the second part of a trilogy it's also understandable!).


Uhm ok! I'm described by this dialogue, and I don't like it!

The side-scrolling sections are rather more interesting because they also include jumping, climbing ladders, pushing stone blocks, and using monkey bars. Despite that there is no real puzzle or risk of death during these parts, anyway when you encounter a save point you can access a tutorial if you forgot the controls. In any case, despite the linearity of the game, there are two different endings that you can get, exactly like in the first game.

Visually I found the game very good: this does not looks like your "typical rpgmaker game", it has a distinct style and aestetic. The exploration segments does not feature many encounters, and despite that they're fairly well made, I blame the engine for any imprecision you can find, anyway it's true this is not the first side-scrolling rpgmaker game I play (like Lasting Dream by Infinite). The portraits (that have also different expressions and change them during the dialogues), the backgrounds (that are edited photos) and the cutscenes are pretty well done and give a particular distinct appeal to the game, I liked that despite some little imprecision, the world is spooky and dark, bleak and empty, but there may be a reason behind this... but I won't tell you more. Just remember to explore well all the evocative scenarios because some paths may be not immediately recognizable.


Oh cool, what can go wrong when you deal with powerful artifacts?

Final Verdict
Sainth is a totally different game compared to the first one, maybe not even a game but a story (even if it has two different endings, one of these is very depressing!), anyway I liked its originality (side scrolling rpgmaker? Really uncommon) and the narrative segments. It's probably not a game for everyone, especially for those who want a real challenge, puzzles or a more complex gameplay, but for me it was a good experience. Naok's art skills and style also makes this adventure look unique.

In the end, even if this game may not appeal everyone is still an enjoyable story if you played the previous game, maybe not a perfect conclusion to the series, but still a pleasant surprise!