Both games are included of course, and you can play Alphadia II after I or go straight into the second game. Alphadia stars Ash, Karim and Eclair, three siblings who team with members of a resistance movement in a world where wars are fought over the valuable resource of Energi. The siblings will also team up with a test subject named Enah, who will become a recurring character in the Alphadia series. The second game takes place after a time jump and sees new characters take over, while some make a return, and the cast feels memorable in both games, something that later KEMCO titles would struggle with at times.
Alphadia I & II are a bit more basic compared to the later games in the series, but not in a bad way at all. They feel easier to get into and more satisfying than some of the games that have since become a bit overcomplicated, and it would be nice to see future Alphadia games take more influence from the elemental magic and basic tactics of these titles. The first game lacks the Break system of the second game that would become more common, but it also helps to give Alphadia I its own identity, while Alphadia II handles the combat closer to the first game, despite bringing in the Break system. These games understand how to handle combat and the RPG mechanics, and using rings to upgrade magic in the first game, and the way the Break system works in the second game, manage to remind us why these games were popular in the first place.
Another thing that stands out about Alphadia I & II is just how good the dungeons were. Some are short and some are longer, but they all have a unique and memorable identity to them that helps them stand out. Later Alphadia games tend to have repetitive areas that do not stick out, so this was very welcome to come back to.
Even the dungeons that were only there are pathways to other areas felt satisfying and some dungeons including one notable tower, really were handled in a creative way. Hopefully, KEMCO returns to the roots of the series in later entries for this idea as well, because it really is on a different level. As it stands, it is good to see that this part of the two games has held up over the years.
The main draw of this version of Alphadia I & II is how the artwork and visuals were redone entirely and it really does look great. The animations of both the protagonists and enemies are much improved as well, and it really is a stark contrast to how the game once looked. KEMCO did an amazing job of repackaging the game and there are other minor touches that help us well.
Overall, Alphadia I & II is an excellent remaster of the original games and is a great reminder of how good KEMCO games could be. These are definitely worth checking out, but be aware the gameplay may take a bit of time to adjust to if you are coming from the later games. This is an easy recommendation.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
