Sadame
Overview -
'Sadame' is a sprite-based action RPG set in Sengoku-era Japan developed by Mebius and exclusively released on the 3DS eShop. The game has been Japan-only for several years now, but thanks to Rising Star Games, it has finally become available to English-speaking audiences.
Video Review
Surprisingly pretty spritework and background art help the visuals stand out even with their relative simplicity. The boss designs are tremendous and help convey a sense of scale to the fights, which makes for some memorable encounters.
Audio Review
The soundtrack feels totally nondescript and the sound design fares poorly, with most sound effects appearing more appropriate for the GBA or DS. There's no voice acting or anything to speak of, and after hours of dull audio, I found myself listening to other things.
Final Thoughts
While 'Sadame' isn't a bad game at all, it feels like a particularly hollow one. The game has promise, but it all gets squandered on combat that's too simple and dull for its own good. For $15, the quantity of content is impressive, but despite the good ideas present, 'Sadame' doesn't have nearly enough variety or challenge to ultimately make it feel worthwhile.
