Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Oct 7, 2021
    80
    Actraiser Renaissance blends three different genres into a very unique experience with an amazing soundtrack. It has a few technical issues but the PC release is easily the best way to experience this remake of a classic. I’m glad that Square Enix decided to remake this for modern platforms, letting newcomers like myself play it.
  2. Oct 2, 2021
    80
    This was a huge and delightful surprise for me and I’ve enjoyed exploring every bit of Actraiser Renaissance’s reimagined take on one of my classic gaming loves. Yuzo Koshiro crushes it with both the classic and rearranged soundtrack, the gameplay is fun and a little bit improved in some cases, and the world is more enjoyable than ever to take in from the skies above and on the ground. I wish some classic pain points hadn’t come along for the ride and that the sprite work was a bit better, but Actraiser Renaissance is still a fantastic title whether you’re walking down memory lane or playing it for the first time.
  3. Oct 1, 2021
    80
    For veteran Actraiser players, Renaissance brings to the table more of everything great about the original, and the new content creates an engaging gameplay cycle that, while not perfect, still recaptures the ephemeral fun of the original release in a way no other god-sim hybrid has done since. There’s a little something for everyone, including adjustable difficulty, improved RPG elements, a deeper storyline, and competent combat. It’s great to see a beloved classic recaptured with much-needed modern updates while ensuring the charm of the original never loses its place.
  4. Actraiser Renaissance is a remake that takes the content of the original game a few steps ahead but may not be liked by everyone due to some problems.
  5. Oct 2, 2021
    70
    ActRaiser Renaissance is an excellent remake that manages, not without some slips, to update a playful formula that over the years has not found convincing re-propositions. When Renaissance stays true to the source material, Sonic Powered's work is able to achieve excellent results, but it is when it deviates from the traced path that something starts to go wrong. Although all the gameplay additions, especially in managerial moments, are appreciable and well structured, what is missing is that perfect cohesion between apparently unapproachable elements that made ActRaiser a masterpiece of the 90s. In any case, Renaissance remains a successful experiment, able to awaken the attention of long-time players and also attract those who, for personal reasons, have never been able to try the original on SNES.
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  1. When Quintet disbanded, many of its developers unfortunately faded from the industry. ActRaiser Renaissance is therefore the work of a whole new staff (barring legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro, who returned to revise his epic soundtrack while adding a slew of new tunes). It's always worrying to see a beloved property fall into the hands of a new team, but Sonic Powered have done right by ActRaiser. And that's important, because Quintet's catalogue deserves to be remembered and revisited. With any luck, ActRaiser Renaissance might herald yet another renaissance for the likes of Illusion of Gaia and Terranigma.
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Jan 14, 2023
    10
    worth it and glad to play this game again. so much memories and nostalgia within this 16bit game in the franchise.
  2. Oct 21, 2021
    5
    Not bad, the lack of budget hurts the game, if at least the dialogues were voiced instead of using walls of text it would make a hugeNot bad, the lack of budget hurts the game, if at least the dialogues were voiced instead of using walls of text it would make a huge difference. The game is pretty casual and short, you can only progress in a linear way because of the level system that prevents you from even starting a stage unless you have a certain level. Full Review »