Tecmo Secret of the Stars (1993). Play online

Summary

Secret of the Stars (known in Japan as Aquitallion) sets itself apart on the SNES by handing you two interchangeable parties. The Aquitallion group drives the main story, while a second squad tackles optional dungeons and hunts for rare items, letting you swap whenever you like.

Battles play out from a first‑person view with a turn‑based menu system that feels familiar to Dragon Quest fans. After each participant chooses an action, the results are resolved together at the end of the turn, giving a strategic rhythm that rewards careful planning.

Beyond combat, you’ll eventually erect and manage a modest town, adding a light simulation twist to the adventure. The combination of easy‑to‑learn controls and a surprisingly long quest line offers plenty of challenge for seasoned role‑players while remaining welcoming to newcomers.

Critics noted modest graphics, but praised the deep, humor‑inflected monster designs—GamePro likened the experience to an “X‑Files with a sense of humor.” Reviewers appreciated the mix of accessible mechanics and heavy tactical depth, making the title enjoyable for both younger gamers and veteran RPG enthusiasts.

Storyline

In Tecmo Secret of the Stars, the adventure follows Ray, a lone teen who sets out from a tiny island to stop Homncruse, the evil force threatening the world of Aqutallion. Along the way he encounters a cast of quirky villains, from the goofy Cat Boo to the more menacing elite generals of Homncruse.

Ray soon gathers fellow Aqutallion warriors—Tina, Cody, Leona and Dan—and together they form a fledgling town for those suffering under Homncruse’s rule. All start as Pennon, the lowest warrior rank, and must each pass a temple trial to earn the secondary Banalet powers. Dan is unique, being a descendant of the Prosperous Wise Man clan, which lets his power fuse with the others to rebirth Aqutallion.

The story also introduces eleven Kustera members who can be recruited temporarily to aid the heroes. Each temple houses a Kustera‑only warp icon that transports the party to hidden dungeons brimming with valuable treasure.