A.W.: Phoenix Festa is a simulator fighting game, almost similar to what you’d see from the
Persona series. Players take their choice of Ayato Amagiri or a created character through the story of the game, which will vary a little bit depending on the path chosen. Players experience the day-to-day life of a student and go through each day of the calendar, so it is extremely similar to the
Persona series in this regard. I do feel
Persona offers significantly more to do in regards to passing the time of each day, however. The day-to-day consists of a morning period, then an evening period and activities will consume the current time slot. Players can advance time by training, performing a job, shopping, visiting the laboratory, setting an appointment, or resting. After both time slots have been used, time advances to the next day. After a certain period of time, a major event will happen, so use your time preparing for these events. You’ll see the timer for those in the top left corner.
Similar to the anime, battles in Asterisk War: Phoenix Festa have quite a bit going on. On the battle screen, you’ll see your character’s Life Gauge to the top left, while the enemy’s Life Gauge is shown above their character model. Naturally, if this drops to zero, it’s game over. Underneath the Life Gauge is the Prana Gauge. Performing various actions depletes this bar, but it replenishes over time. The time limit is shown to the bottom left and your character’s school badge is shown underneath the character portrait. The school badge is damaged when hit and you’ll lose if it is destroyed. Battles aren’t difficult to navigate when it comes to controls either. The (Square) button allows you to perform your basic combo attack, while the (Triangle) button allows you to use your character’s special attack. The (X) button allows you to jump and the (O) button lets you lock on to the target so you don’t lose track of them. The Left Bumper lets you block and the Right Bumper lets you perform a quick dash in a direction. Once you’ve got everything down, the battles are fairly easy to win.
Your job as a student is to manage your life properly during your time at Seidoukan Academy. There are several activities you can perform in your day-to-day life that I covered very briefly a moment ago, but you’ll need to know them well to decide what you want to do. In Seidoukan, you have to be strong enough to compete with the best, so spending a day training is never a bad option. Training allows you to enhance your character’s stats in order to grow stronger. You can select which stat to train and you’ll gain a few points to that skill for training it. After a certain amount of times selected, you’ll see that the stat will increase in level, making it more effective.
Students need money, and a job will help you get that money. Jobs unlock as you progress through the story and by taking one, you can complete an objective for pay. Different jobs require different objectives to be completed, so pick the one you like best or what pays the most, it’s up to you. You’ll need something to spend your money on though, right? Shopping allows you to purchase various items from the mall, such as consumable items or gifts. The Laboratory allows you to customize your weapons for a fee. Of course, you’ll also need to socialize with people. Appointments allows you to set a date or duel with your fellow students, but they can reject it if they’d like. Feels pretty bad to spend time lining up that appointment just to be rejected, you know. Finally, you’ll need to take a break sometimes, so you can always select rest to recover.
