Sellsword

Hello!
Sellsword is a game made for the Golden Week of RPG Maker 2003 event. The goal was to make a game using strictly Rm2k RTP assets. And it's a good one! Sellsword is a short but complete comedic rpg that is also a parody of many fantasy tropes. Anyway let's start with the story:

The protagonists of this game are not one, but three sellswords, or mercenaries:

Riley is a girly male bard that despite being a fearful fellow is the leader of the group (and maybe the protagonist since he's the first one that appears on screen). He fights playing a musical instrument(that is rather weak but ignores armor) but has also many songs that can cause buffs and debuffs, in addition he's also the healer of the team (he can cure status effects and even "revive" k.o. characters).

Paris is a classical sorceress: she has various elemental attacks and she learn more as she level ups. Some spells will hit just one enemy, others are area attacks, most of them may cause also additional effects like paralysis, burn or weaken the opponent defense. She can also skip a turn meditating to recover some energy/mana points.

Gunnar is a brawler: the strongest (and dumbest) of the team, has a couple of powerful attacks but really few energy points to use them. Anyway he's tough and strong, even if rather slow, compared to his associates.

Oh well, and no one of them has a sword!!!


Uhm, do you want the precise names or a simple "us" is enough?

The plot is very simple: our three mercenaries (heroes is a bit too much... even if...) will be employed by a shady guy to collect three artifacts for a museum. Despite the various places and situations this will translate into three dungeons with various pitfalls and encounters that culminates with a boss fight each.

The bad news: classic old-style random encounters!
The good news: you can save anytime, anywhere!

Ok, despite this situation the rate of the encounters is not excessive, and you can always try to escape (except in some particular cases). Also the game is very low level (I finished the game at level 7, and hitpoints were always in two digits!), so combat are usually short and also not too difficult, thanks to the presence of helpful fairies that will heal the whole parti

Graphics and combat sprites are all Rtp, the combat system is quite simple (there isn't even weapon and armor management, you just need consumables to heal and recover mana, and that's all!) but balanced (there is no useless character in the party) and fun. There are also some weird "combat" encounters like the Sphinx that will challenge the characters with some riddles and the Tabby Traveler with his tales. Nice ideas! Also some opponents have some gimmicks: the ghosts are immune to physical damage (you harm them only with magical attacks), others instead can reflect magic spells, the mummy turns into a simple zombie after recieving some damage, and so on...

Mapping is pretty good, while not exceptional in the use of the Rtp like some other few games I played, it's still well done, quite detailed and pleasing to the eye. Dungeons have also some kind of puzzle or trap each, so despite the short lenght of the adventure, it's still varied and interesting.

The plot is simple and not without some humorous moments mainly due to the party bickering. It's a simple but entertaining parody, just do not expect shocking revelations or weird events, because it is all quite predictable and linear.


One that involves tentacle p*rn, no doubt!

VERDICT
Sellsword is an interesting game that utilizes the RTP in a good way, maps are well done. I also didn't mind the semplicity of having a reduced complexity compared to many other classic jrpgs: just three characters, no equipment, inns that are free, and so on. The final result is a lighthearted adventure that is pretty easy and linear, a sort of "lite" game that is still finely made and really polished. I really loved some moments and events, like meeting the Tabby Traveler and listening to his tales.

Sellsword in the end is an excellent short game, maybe too easy and not too original, but a game that makes an excellent use of the simple rtp resources.
My opinion is that due to the restrictions and the overall enjoyable final result, this is a good game, gets a 4/5 since it's well-though and solid, has no typos, bugs or errors and also clearly gives indications about what you need to do next, so there is no risk or being stuck. It's an experience that won't last for long, but it's all good time!