Sigma Star Saga was an obscure GBA game developed by the Shantae developers at WayForward and released in 2005. It was a shooter/role-playing game hybrid and used Wayforward’s witty writing style and iconic sprite-based artwork. The game was well-received, but it is rarely remembered, and most people are unaware of its existence. I never played the game upon release, but I have played it since, and before the release of this DX version.
Wayforward has decided to give the game the remake treatment, so here we will be reviewing the Switch 1 version of Sigma Star Saga DX, although we are running this on Switch 2 backwards compatibility since the game does not have a Switch 2 version. A title that has clever writing and varied gameplay, but isn’t perfect in being either a shooter or a role-playing game.
A mixed experience, but in great packaging
If you’ve ever played a significant portion of any of the Shantae games, then you’ll recognise the same humorous writing in Sigma Star Story DX. The good writing makes the text-heavy sections of the game fun and worth taking your time with.
However, at some points, you’ll wish these sections were shorter, as even though the writing is good, I found myself getting bored. Wayforward isn’t known for role-playing games, so it’s interesting that they made this game a role-playing game rather than a simpler platformer. Wayforward is a great developer, and Sigma Star Story has a unique charm. You can see some of the Shantae DNA in Sigma Star Story DX. The story is well done in a way similar to the later Shantae games. If you like the story and writing in those games, I would say you will like the story and writing here.
This new version is full of quality-of-life features. It includes options for screen filters (such as a dot matrix option), borders, and special screen size options. There’s also an art gallery and a jukebox accessible from the main menu. These options really make this version feel like the ultimate version of Sigma Star Saga. I didn’t grow up with this game, but if I had, I would be very happy with the additions here.
Solid Shoot ’em up’ gameplay
Sigma Star Saga DX is a horizontal shooter and role-playing (with platforming elements) game. The early phases of the game follow a pattern where you are in your ship, having to blast through enemy vessels, then you are on a space station, wandering around talking to NPCs, then you are on a green, lush planet exploring and gathering items. When you are on foot, you carry a pistol, which is your primary weapon. You’ll use it for combat and to destroy things in the environment.
The game is a light role-playing game rather than a stat-heavy role-playing game. It is a role-playing game in the same way as the Shantae games. Combat is real-time, there are no multiple pages of stats, and there are no skill trees. For those reasons, I’m hesitant to call it a full role-playing game in the same way Final Fantasy or Chrono Trigger are. It is a role-playing game, in the same way, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a role-playing game.
The shooting sections are similar to any other horizontal shooter. R-Type could be used as a comparison. However, the game does nothing to differentiate itself from the typical horizontal shooter. You have a ship, and it is your goal to shoot all objects on the screen. You get ship upgrades as you progress and eventually your ship can fire in multiple directions. Unless you’re a big fan of those kinds of shooters, most platforming and role-playing game fans may not be interested. There is no new revolutionary way to play in Sigma Star Saga DX. The game just blends two average experiences. A new addition to the DX version is the ability to rewind gameplay. This means that the player is able to replay moments where they died, essentially giving players who are stuck at difficulty spikes tools that they can use to overcome the part where they were having problems.
Classic Pixel Perfection
Sigma Star Saga DX has a consistent art style that has a resemblance to the Shantae games. The aliens look like something from ’50s science fiction, but in a good way. The concept art included in the game is a great addition, especially if you are a fan of Wayforward. The actual sprites can look a bit blocky, but generally, the game looks great. I had one moment when the game glitched out, but luckily, because of the rewind feature, I was able to correct the problem. The shooting sections look good, and the colours are vivid. For what was originally a GBA game, the game retains a nice style and looks as good or better than it did in 2005.
In terms of sound, some of the tracks are great, and the jukebox allows you to go through and play your favourites whenever you want. There is a large number of tracks, and each matches the action on screen in terms of energy and risk. The sound design is also good and appropriate to what is happening on screen.
Conclusion
Sigma Star Saga DX is a remaster of a too often overlooked GBA title. The game is, at its core, a horizontal shooter, with role-playing and platforming elements. However, while the title has elements of multiple genres, it doesn’t excel in any genre. Some parts of the role-playing experience are boring, and the shooting sections feel generic. While the sound and art are consistent and do a job, nothing about this title really captures the imagination in the way that a space-based role-playing game should.
In terms of the new additions, Wayforward have done a great job. There are multiple screen options, together with a jukebox, an art gallery, and even a rewind feature. If you are a fan of Wayforward, I would say give this one a go, as it carries their iconic writing style, but don’t expect the next Shantae and the Pirates Curse.
Sigma Star Saga DX is out now on Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PC.
