“Power of the Hired” is the first Strategy RPG that Dynamic-Designs has released in quite some time, but its style departs from several typical conventions that players encountered in “Feda Emblem of Justice” and the “Shining Force” series. Similar to how Arc the Lad on Playstation worked, one departure from typical SRPG game play is the lack of town functionalities, wherein characters may walk around, visit shops, speak to NPCs, and so forth. This game is divided into 18 scenarios, all of which must be cleared in order to keep advancing forward. Party composition selections occur in between scenarios, then game play resumes. Another sometimes disconcerting development is to have waves of fresh enemy replacements keep pouring onto the battlefield until the player satisfies a previously stated objective!

Another unique feature of this game is “Beast Magic”. Up to two “monsters” acting as “familiar beasts” per playable character (not just Neina) may be added to the party roster prior to starting each scenario. These beasts can also increase their levels during battle and provide their respective Beast Master various magic spells that can be used in battle as long as they are in a square directly horizontally or vertically adjacent to them.

× ❮

❯