Glory of Heracles (2008). Play online

Summary

Glory of Heracles on the DS mixes classic Greek myth with a surprisingly deep turn-based combat system. Battles play out on a five-column, two-row grid where positioning decides whether you unleash melee blows or fire ranged magic, and agility normally drives turn order—though spells can reshuffle the sequence. The standout feature is a touch-screen mini-puzzle that lets you power-up attacks and skills, giving a tactile feel to each spell.

Magic draws from five Ether elements—Fire, Wind, Earth, Ice and Dark—with a clever balance: Dark spells restore elemental Ether and vice-versa, while casting without enough Ether triggers an "Ether Reflux" that drains HP. New spells are learned at hidden temples or from Prometheus statues, and equipment unlocks additional abilities, encouraging exploration of places like Sparta and Athens.

The title arrived in North America as the series' only overseas entry, benefitting from a speed-tuned combat pacing and a strong localization effort praised by critics. Veteran writer Kazushige Nojima contributed the scenario, adding narrative weight even as reviewers noted average dungeon design. Overall, it garnered mid-70s scores, offering enough Greek-themed charm to earn a modest but enthusiastic following.

Storyline

Glory of Heracles unfolds across ancient Greece and other Mediterranean locales, drawing heavily from classic Greek mythology. The world feels alive with familiar legends and mythic landscapes.
The player controls a silent, immortal amnesiac boy who speaks only in battle, accompanied by Leucos, Axios, Heracles, and Eris as they hunt for their lost memories. Their bond drives the journey to uncover why they cannot die.
Their quest collides with iconic figures such as Achilles and the events of the Trojan War. A key plot device is the Taphus, an invention of Daedalus that Zeus punished for siphoning Ether from the world. This device repeatedly surfaces as the party confronts divine retribution.
Writer Kazushige Nojima notes the Japanese subtitle Tamashii no Shoumei—"proof of the soul"—as the thematic core, urging players to decipher its meaning. The amnesiac ensemble echoes the earlier Heracles no Eikou III, also penned by Nojima.