The first thing I should mention in this review, before anything else, is that I didn't have a legit copy of this game to try out and review. (Haven't been able to find it ANYWHERE.) So I downloaded a rom of the game. (I know, I know. Booooooo on L.L.P.!) Of course, if someone would like to donate a copy to me, I wouldn't be opposed. ;)So why is this relevent, you may ask? Well... Because of one minor, and yet major flaw that I'm sure isn't an issue with the game cartridge itself: the main menu is jumbled up. And because of that, you CAN'T get to any save files. That poses a *huge* problem in the gameplay for this game, so I wasn't able to get incredibly far before being taken back to the main screen. It's really a shame, because this was the first game in a LONG time that I'd been particularly impressed by in every other aspect. (But, props to them nonetheless for implementing such successful copyright protection. Good show. If I can ever manage to find a copy of it, I'll definitely be buying it.)
You're playing the role of a young, mischievous, and let's face it - bratty witch named Liddell who's decided the magic she's being taught in witchcraft school isn't strong enough for her. She hears tale of an ancient black magic more powerful than anything else the world had ever seen, strong enough to send the entire planet into peril. Only by the powers of Alice (oh yes, THAT Alice... What timing for me to run across a video game that just happens to tie in with "Alice in Wonderland", no?) was this evil witch entombed for all eternity. ......Or so one thought. Liddell makes it her mission to track down where exactly this tomb is located at, and breaks into it. Sure enough, now freed from her entombment, the evil spirit is unleashed on the unsuspecting world, and Liddell is left with her old spell book.
The breaking and entering manages to wake the slumber of a vampire who lives in the vicinity named Loue. By all accounts, Loue is only one notch above a Twilight vampire as far as vampirism is concerned. Fairly wimpy, unimpressive, and yet... strangely lovable at the same time. (Don't ask, I don't even know.) He decides to make it his mission to take dear, stupid Liddell under his wing and show her the ropes of how everything works, so that she may have some shot at re-containing this ancient black magic. It takes some persuasion on his part to convince her that this is, indeed, a good idea, and that with some work, she might become as powerful as Alice. Those are the magic words as far as she's concerned, and she cooperates.
Loue guides her through the navigation of maps, shows her the different worlds she'll be traveling to and defeating enemies in, and, most importantly, how to fight said enemies. Now here's where things get a little different. Although one would have to technically classify this as a typical turn-based RPG, the actual fighting is somewhat unique to this game. You have the option to merely attack your opponent (thus saving magic points but not being as powerful in most cases), but what you'll find out quickly is that you'll want to use your runes. Runes, you say? Yes, runes. Each rune has a different type of attack power, and each one affects different opponents to different degrees. There's a lot of trial and error involved here, as well as a fair degree of luck. In addition, Liddell possesses a doll that also helps her fight in battles. She's more powerful than Liddell herself is, which is impressive for a doll. Throughout the game, you'll collect more dolls and be able to choose which you want to take into battle at your side.
The graphics are actually pretty good for a sprite game. I was very impressed by that and the sound quality. It isn't the typical video gamey music - it's actual MUSIC being played for once, real voices being used, etc. This also earns it huge points with me.
This game might be a little bit scary for a younger crowd; I wouldn't advise it to anybody under age 10. Possibly a little older if they're easily scared. While the game seems as though it was created with females in mind, I wouldn't doubt that there's a male demographic who play and enjoy this game too. It's got just the right degrees of, well, EVERYTHING to make the game great for almost everybody. I'm going to rate it a big 9 out o 10 witches.
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