Have you ever been excited by a development where “it started with two people, but before you knew it, there were nine”? The Alliance Alive is an RPG where you can experience exactly that feeling. The player controls no fewer than nine protagonists. These characters, each with different backgrounds and positions, sometimes walk separately and sometimes together, eventually converging into a single destiny. Furthermore, they are not just a collection of individuals; the personality and convictions of each character are clearly depicted, resulting in a very high level of completeness as an ensemble drama.

The story is set in a world long dominated by the demon race. The surface world is isolated by a “Great Barrier,” struck by abnormal weather, and the continents are scattered by the “Black Flow”. Many humans lost their lives, and the survivors are cut off from sea routes and isolated. Despite this, the humans who did not give up continued to faintly but surely light the flames of resistance. This setting creates a profound worldview that goes beyond a mere fantasy.

The combat in The Alliance Alive follows the format of classic turn-based RPGs, yet it is highly strategic, and the player's choices significantly influence the outcome of battles. The fighting style changes drastically based on the characters' positioning, formation, and skill combinations, making every single battle a continuous exercise in thought. This specification is irresistible to RPG fans who want to sit down and play seriously.

This work, which started on the 3DS and reappeared as an HD Remaster on PS4 and Switch, has as one of its charms the fusion of beautiful, hand-drawn-style backgrounds and dot-art characters that evoke a certain nostalgia. Although not flashy, the meticulously drawn world and animation gently draw the player in, and you will eventually find yourself immersed in the world on the screen.

The first two characters you control are Galil and Ursula (Azura), who belong to the young resistance group “Night Crow.” Starting with these two, the movement to counter the demon race begins. Ordinary young people, who possess no special powers, drive a story that changes the fate of the world from a small resolution. Watching them, you feel a sense of being part of this world yourself, and you naturally empathize with them.