Ranma 1/2: Akanekodan Teki Hihou

"Only for fans"

Ranma 1/2 used to be my favorite anime. Looking back on it now, though, I can see how it's not for everyone. But the fact is if you're not a Ranma fan you might as well stop reading this right now, because this game, like practically all games based on TV shows, presupposes that you are, since no background is given to the story or characters.

In case you're a little rusty, the story is about Ranma Saotome, a teenage martial artist who has a weird affliction: cold water turns him into a woman, and warm water turns him back. This is the case for quite a few characters in the anime (they change into animals, though).

So anyway, the Jusenkyo tour guide breaks the magic seal containing the evil Cat King, who quickly starts sending out his cat-man minions to capture strong warriors--including Ranma's father--for nefarious purposes. So Ranma and argumentative fiancee Akane are off to the rescue (not slightly because the legends of the Cat King say that whoever gains his treasures gets a wish, and Ranma plans to get rid of his curse with it).

There are plenty of familiar faces from the anime who will join and leave your gruop as the story dictates. You start off in the Nerima district of Tokyo, but quickly find yourself in China (I think). You'll have to fight the Cat King in pursuit of the wish, but you know going in it won't work out that way for Ranma.

Gameplay-5/10
This is a typical turn-based combat RPG game. You have random monster battles, where you can either use a regular attack or, instead of magic, unleash one of the character's special moves from the anime. These deplete a CHI meter for each character. Except for the change from wizards and warriors to martial artists, nothing is different from any other turn-based combat RPG game in terms of gameplay.

You can have to up to four guys in your party, also not a change from most RPGs, each a major player from the anime (besides Ranma, Akane, Ryoga, Genma, Shampoo and Mousse will join at varying times, and Ukyo owns restaurants in several towns you visit).

Graphics-3/10
I can hardly believe this is an SNES game. Those look like a kindergartner's drawings of the Ranma characters.

Sound-4/10
Bad sound effects, bad music.

Replay value-1/10
Game is totally linear, there's nothing new to be gained by playing it again except the same old stuff.

Overall-5/10
It's just a regular RPG with some scattered elements of the Ranma anime mixed in. If it's your thing, which is what the developers were hoping, go ahead and add two points to my score. If it isn't, this is a very, very average RPG with characters you don't know and won't know from playing this game in center stage.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 01/24/04