I Am Setsuna

 Switch
I Am Setsuna Image
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75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 149 Ratings

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  • Summary: This is the story of Setsuna; a young woman of incredible inner strength and the sacrifice she must make to save the people of her land.

    The Island had a custom. To maintain peace, once a decade, a sacrifice was offered to a fiend on the island. However, one year, the fiend grew    This is the story of Setsuna; a young woman of incredible inner strength and the sacrifice she must make to save the people of her land.

    The Island had a custom.
    To maintain peace, once a decade, a sacrifice was offered to a fiend on the island.

    However, one year, the fiend grew violent before the next sacrifice was due.
    Those living on the island were afraid and tried to calm the fiend by offering a sacrifice; Setsuna, chosen because of her powers of enchantment.

    Setsuna must leave with her safeguards for the farthest land, where the ceremony of sacrifice will be held.

    Key Features:

    * A great homage to JRPG masterpieces of yesteryear, using the latest technology to develop a truly memorable story and player experience and bring the authentic JRPG style to current hardware.
    * A new battle system inspired by the timeless JRPG classic, Chrono Trigger.
    * An emotionally impactful and memorable story which immerses players in the narrative of Setsuna, whose story portrays heartrending sorrow.
    * Beautiful character designs and varied in-game locales evoke nostalgia for classic RPGs.    … Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Digitally Downloaded
    Mar 6, 2017
    100
    That gorgeous big screen makes for an incredible display of the game's endless winter, and if you're in the mood for the big television experience, you need only dock the console once you're back at home. The added benefit is that the game doesn't tax the Switch's battery anywhere near as badly as games like Zelda does, and I've been able to use the game to make train trips absolutely bearable with a good pair of headphones, for both the trip and the return.
  2. Digital Chumps
    Mar 13, 2017
    90
    That last statement actually bears true for the whole of I Am Setsuna. Everything from the length of the game (around 25 hours), the battle system, difficult, art, music, characters — this has proven to be a treat of an experience for me and one I would happily recommend to any Switch owner.
  3. Vooks
    Apr 6, 2017
    80
    One of my favourite things worth mentioning about this game is the soundtrack. It’s entirely piano pieces, with varying tempos for various situations, like exploring the overworld, or fighting in a battle. If you have Spotify, the soundtrack is on there, I highly recommend giving it a listen!
  4. XGN
    Mar 16, 2017
    75
    If you are looking to play I Am Setsuna, the Switch is the best platform to purchase the game on. I Am Setsuna is a perfect fit for the handheld mode of the console. It may not be the best JRPG out there, but it is a guarantee for hours of fun.
  5. Games.cz
    Apr 5, 2017
    70
    All in all, a simplified and then stereotypical, but yet a JRPG made with love the best way from the 90s. Fans of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy will feel like at home, for others it’s a good opportunity to venture into the secrets of Japanese RPGs.
  6. IGN Italia
    Mar 12, 2017
    70
    The cool combat mechanics, its common ground with the likes of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI, and the intriguing story of I am Setsuna will please fans of old school JRPGs, but it’s far from perfect: it’s quite linear and monotonous.
  7. 4P.de
    Mar 6, 2017
    59
    The presentation is almost as boring as the battles, which are too easy most of the time – with the exception of bosses, of course. If it wouldn’t be for the interesting story, this could have been a disaster.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 32
  3. Negative: 9 out of 32
  1. Lesh0
    Nov 12, 2019
    10
    I just cant give less than 10 for a Tokyo Factory game coz i just love what they do the old school jrpg the graphics the piano music i justI just cant give less than 10 for a Tokyo Factory game coz i just love what they do the old school jrpg the graphics the piano music i just love. The story was better than the one of Lost Sphear atleast for me. The characater (chibi style) i just love. I think that this and Lost sphear both are game u like or hate there is no between. But definitely rec. for jrpg fans… Expand
  2. edu_chains
    Oct 16, 2017
    9
    This game is pure Nostalgia for whom enjoyed the old 8-16 bit RPG era, a Great Game I hope I'll see more from Tokyo RPG FActory.
    -Beautiful    This game is pure Nostalgia for whom enjoyed the old 8-16 bit RPG era, a Great Game I hope I'll see more from Tokyo RPG FActory.
    -Beautiful GRaphics
    -Beautiful soundtrack

    Great story line - Not a long game, but It's not necessary, the message is sent although the game is short.
    Sad and Beautiful!    … Expand
  4. ZaveG
    Jun 20, 2022
    8
    A surprisingly enjoyable experience. I expected a simple, traditional turn-based jrpg that I could finish and forget about it, but there'sA surprisingly enjoyable experience. I expected a simple, traditional turn-based jrpg that I could finish and forget about it, but there's more to it that meets the eye. In many aspects it is a simple game - the monsters, dungeons and regions feel repetitive, and the battle system doesn't offer anything new after a while. What really makes it stand out from other rpgs is the story. It's a melancholic journey that made me really care about the characters. It has some interesting plot twists and the world isn't exactly black and white. I heard it being compared to Final Fantasy 10 story-wise and I can see why. It gives you a similar feeling. I really recommend the game for all who enjoy jrpgs who can appreciate a good story.… Expand
  5. Mr_Hadouken
    Jul 28, 2023
    6
    I was hyped for this game. Sadly was disappointed when i played it. Story was decent at most. Gameplay was ok. Not much to discover in the world map.
  6. MrKiwaVGC
    Nov 23, 2017
    6
    I like this game, but I have to tell the truth with my score, to simplify, this games is boring. Is like story of FF 10, feels like that andI like this game, but I have to tell the truth with my score, to simplify, this games is boring. Is like story of FF 10, feels like that and no new battle mechanics either, the same turn battle game like ever. The music, the better aspect of the game, is just OK, and the characters are all meh.

    But just because the story feels like FF10, the boring characters and "just OK" music with a well carried story makes a game that you may like.

    6/10

    If The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Bravely Deafault, Xenoblade Chronicles, Final Fantasy 4 o Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater are all 9 or 10 of 10. This game with 6/10... I thinks is right.    … Expand
  7. sarkwalvein
    Aug 21, 2017
    4
    Regarding the Switch port: It is good.

    That aside, the game itself is not good. I don't get why it has so much positive reviews.    Regarding the Switch port: It is good.

    That aside, the game itself is not good. I don't get why it has so much positive reviews.

    Visually it is completely generic, most character designs are flat, and the whole snow theme feels overused.

    Regarding its music, it is boring, one can stand monotone out of tempo piano for so long.
    I think Yasunori Mitsuda must feel hurt if this game was trying to homage his tunes.

    The story telling is bad, it doesn't catch you because of uninteresting characters and just bad pacing.
    The writing is terrible. It is boring to read and it seems filler text was just poured into the NPC dialogs to fill them up and make the game last longer.

    And talking about making the game last longer, the walking speed on the over world is slow for no reason, well no reason other than making it last longer artificially.
    I find it quite cheap that the creators didn't make the globe rotate and span, when you ride your airship you are limited by bounds in the world map instead of just going around the globe... Or perhaps the creators were flat-earthers?
    Also this game really needs a in-game world map.

    Regarding the battle system, it has too many unnecessary mechanics and too little challenge.
    It is quite unbalanced and just boring.
    It is just a look-alike of Chrono Trigger's system, when you actually use it and look at the details you see it wasn't polished and it is broken instead.
    I think mmadnessgames' review explained very well the battle system faults, even if it is one of the first turn-based RPGs he played.

    Conclusion: If you wanted to play something like Chrono Trigger, better go play Chrono Trigger again instead.    … Expand
  8. EmCza
    Jul 31, 2020
    0
    Killing animal looking monsters isn’t fun, it’s cruel. This game could be great, but I don’t like kill cute animal looking creatures to getKilling animal looking monsters isn’t fun, it’s cruel. This game could be great, but I don’t like kill cute animal looking creatures to get exp (execution points). it is sad that there are games in which animals are (massively) killed… Expand

See all 32 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Best Switch Game of 2017
51
#51 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2017
38
#38 Most Shared Switch Game of 2017

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