Release Date: July 26, 2016
A science fiction action-adventure game by Bandai Namco, based on the manga and anime series known outside Japan as The Asterisk Wars. A.W. Phoenix Festa takes place on an island, the surface of which is mostly occupied by a modern metropolis and the campuses of six rival magic schools. You can play as either the series' protagonist, Ayato Amagiri, or an anonymous Seidoukan school student.
A.W. Phoenix Festa is a PSV action-adventure game that takes place in a technologically advanced world using many forms of magic. The title was developed by the Japanese company Bandai Namco, as well as a small studio APLUS from Osaka, which so far has been mainly engaged in cooperation with more experienced developers. A.W. Phoenix Festa is an adaptation of a two-part anime series Gakusen Toshi Asterisk (also known as The Asterisk Wars) from 2015, which in turn was based on a series of books of the same title.
The action of the game takes place on an island, most of which is occupied by a modern metropolis, as well as extensive campuses of six schools training magic users. Their pupils regularly participate in tournaments called Fests. These competitions determine which academy is the best and the winners are rewarded generously. The story campaign of A.W. Phoenix Festa offers the players two options. We can play the role of an anonymous Seidoukan student, or Ayato Amagiri, the main character of the anime and books. The first option enables us to play more flexibly and achieve several different endings, the second one is more linear and plays out some of the events from the TV series. The story is presented in a classic form known from visual novel games.
A.W. Phoenix Festa is divided into two main segments. The first is combat in closed arenas, where we use our magical weapons. The gameplay is presented in TPP and resembles classic beat'em up and hack and slash games. We use special attacks and combos to defeat our opponents. The second segment of the game presents everyday life in the academy. Each day, players schedule training session to improve their character stats and deciding which of the five heroines to take on a date. You can also choose one of the available temporary jobs, and the money earned in this way can be used, for example, for gifts for friends or items useful in combat.
A.W. Phoenix Festa offers above-average audiovisuals - if we take into account what other Japanese games based on licenses of well-known anime series offer. During the game we will also hear original voices of actors known from the TV series.
Platforms:
PlayStation Vita
Developer: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Age restrictions: 12+
Game Ratings for A.W. Phoenix Festa Video Game.
Hardcore Gamer: 2.5 / 5 by Chris Shive
A.W.: Phoenix Festa attempts to combine an action RPG with a dating sim and is actually able to pull it off. It is a short game that can be completed in just a few hours, but it has some replay value since getting different partners for the Phoenix Festa or trying to date different women can offer a different experience the second time around. There is not a great deal of challenge to it but it is a cute game that can be casually enjoyed, provided one has thick enough skin to handle repeated rejection from digital young ladies.
COGconnected: 53 / 100 by Michael Chow
Though the combat portions of the game are too easy, the combat system itself is enjoyable, if a bit simple.
MonsterVine: 3 / 5 by Samantha Lienhard
A.W.: Phoenix Festa combines the action RPG and dating sim genres, but unfortunately doesn’t excel at either.
