This turn based RPG gives a familiar nostalgia trip with a hint of refreshing story and characters. No one will be forgotten and no one will stand in the way to your goal.

Developed by Kazuki Takamura and published by Angel Star Studios, Path of the Martyrs is a turned based RPG set in the fantasy-like technology filled world of Delma. You, Saiyato, must search what's left of an experimental research lab for something that can help the princess who has fallen ill. You slash abonations, cast magical spells, and punch your way through whatever gets in your way. However, don't be afraid to do a little exploration, you never know what secrets you'll find buried. Find the truth and save the love of your life.

GRAPHICS 7/10

The visuals in Path of the Martyrs have a very familiar feel when it comes to top-down RPGs. The use of angled assets to fill a room, the transitions between walking around, encountering an enemy, and going into actual combat, along with the layered portraits of characters during dialogue are all what we know and love about turn based RPGs. The game uses a specific filter during flashbacks to give you a feeling of happy times in the past then uses full color to slap you back in the present. The art style also stands out: the character portraits and other elements seem to be drawn on paper with colored pencils. I felt this interrupted my ability to fully dive into playing the game. However, the expressions in a particularly dark and sad scene is unforgettable and creates incredibly visual empathy for the characters.

CHARACTERS 8/10

The game gives a fresh approach to the protagonist: he wasn’t handed any special power, wasn’t over powered to begin with, and isn’t some kind of god. Saiyato is just a young adult doing his job and growing with the people around him. The princess, Machia, teaches him about using magic in combat through flashbacks. His mom, Mirai, helps him get a job as a retainer to the princess. The emperor, Emilio, cares very much for his daughter and wants her to rule better than he did.

Seeing these individuals grow and develop — in combat and in character — is what strengthens the player’s ability to connect with each of them.

SOUND QUALITY 8/10

The sound quality of Path of the Marty’s is simple and done well. The game has familiar 8-bit music for all sorts of occasions including combat, walking around, cutscenes, and menus. Not once is the music out of place for any of these occasions.

Although its 8-bit music style is nothing new to the turn based RPG genre, this game does it well and uses it to provide an extra sense of immersion.

GAMEPLAY 7/10

Path of the Martyrs is extremely simple and fun to play. The most complex part, like most turned based RPGs, is the combat. For a majority of the game you fight alone in 1v1, 1v2, 1v3 and all of the enemies are elemental based. Fortunately there is a rock, paper, scissors based combat strategy when fighting elemental type monsters (fire, ice, and electricity). The game provides 3 different weapons off the bat that you are able to switch between to get the upper hand — or the element of surprise, if you will. Combat along with walking around, searching for hidden items, and solving puzzles are key to making the game feel familiar to veteran gamers and exciting to new gamers.

STORY 8/10

This is a tale about accomplishing the impossible and uncovering the secrets that have been hidden away for good reason. However it’s the story that happens in the lab that is very fascinating. Not only that but as well what the occupants have to say adds to the layers of emotion the player might feel on top of them having to save they’re loved one. There may be some things that may not seem to contribute to the flow of the story. Every flashback scene didn’t have to be playable because it’s like a maze and you have no idea where to go so it kind of halted to progression because you’re lost in your own castle. However it doesn’t stop the story from being good as a whole.

OVERALL 7.5/10

Path of the Martyrs is nothing short of a good indie game. Nothing is over the top and nothing falls short. The music creates immersion and makes you uneasy or hyped when needed. The combat is familiar yet challenging as you face multiple enemies with different elements and abilities who can really pack a punch. The story is refreshing because it lacks an overpowered main character trope. Path of Martyrs is surely a nice addition to the genre of turn-based RPG.