Lucid Awakening 2

Lucid Awakening 2 is a 2D fantasy JRPG that immerses players in a deep world with original mythology and history. The universe’s reincarnation has left its structure askew, and those who can dream are considered cursed. Players must uncover the mysteries behind these ‘Dreamers,’ exploring unique Dreamspaces and engaging in strategic turn-based combat. The game features a Dual Soul class system, allowing protagonists Zeke, Silas, and Terra to transform between Pure and Veil forms—representing past lives—to exploit enemy alignments and conquer challenging foes.

Lucid Awakening 2: A Deep Dive into Dreams and Dualities

In the vast and ever-expanding cosmos of video games, where AAA titans often dominate the discourse, it is the smaller, independent ventures that frequently harbor the most unique and heartfelt experiences. ‘Lucid Awakening 2’, released in 2015 by the singular vision of Momiji Studios, is one such title – an ambitious independent role-playing game that, despite its modest origins and quiet release, dares to weave an intricate tapestry of mythology, reincarnation, and identity. As a direct successor, yet entirely approachable to newcomers thanks to an in-game primer, it sought to expand upon a burgeoning universe, pushing the boundaries of what a solo developer could achieve with accessible tools. This exhaustive analysis will delve into the depths of ‘Lucid Awakening 2’, examining its intricate design, compelling narrative, and enduring legacy, ultimately arguing for its place as a deserving, albeit niche, entry in the modern indie RPG canon.

Development History & Context

The Auteur Behind the Awakening

‘Lucid Awakening 2’ stands as a remarkable testament to the power of individual dedication in game development. The game was largely conceived, written, directed, produced, and developed by one individual: Matt Sharp of Momiji Studios. This singular authorship is a defining characteristic, imbuing the game with a cohesive artistic and thematic vision that might otherwise be diluted in larger teams. While Sharp was the primary driving force, the project was not without collaborators; Coyotecraft was instrumental in shaping the game’s visual identity, responsible for all original character and Soul design, as well as their accompanying sprites. Additional code contributions from a host of developers, including well-known RPG Maker community members like Yanfly and Tsukihime, demonstrate a reliance on and contribution to the broader indie dev ecosystem. This collaborative spirit, centered around a clear guiding vision, allowed for a surprising depth of mechanics and narrative.

Technological Canvas: RPG Maker’s Enduring Legacy

Released on January 7, 2015, ‘Lucid Awakening 2’ was developed using the RPG Maker engine, a tool synonymous with aspiring game developers and the burgeoning indie scene. This choice inherently came with both benefits and limitations. On one hand, RPG Maker provided a framework that allowed Matt Sharp to focus heavily on narrative, systems, and world-building without needing to develop a custom engine from scratch. It facilitates the traditional “2D scrolling,” “diagonal-down perspective,” and “turn-based” combat that harks back to classic JRPGs, which was a clear influence on the game’s “Anime / Manga” art style.

However, the RPG Maker engine also imposed certain constraints. Graphically, it meant relying on pixel art, which, while charming and evocative, could not compete with the visual fidelity of higher-budget productions. The Backlog review explicitly mentions that the game “suffers from some RPGMaker limitations,” noting minor graphical glitches and a UI that sometimes favored keyboard users over controller users, forcing a reversion to keyboard for certain “action sequences.” The game’s relatively low system requirements (Windows XP, 1.0 GHz processor, 256 MB RAM) reflect its modest technical demands, a direct consequence of its development platform.

The Gaming Landscape of 2015

In 2015, the indie game scene was thriving, particularly on PC platforms like Steam and itch.io. RPG Maker games had found a dedicated audience, with many developers demonstrating that technical limitations could be overcome by strong storytelling, innovative mechanics, and sheer passion. While some RPG Maker titles struggled with amateurish design, others, like ‘Lucid Awakening 2’, aimed to transcend these perceptions by offering experiences comparable to early console JRPGs. The challenge for ‘Lucid Awakening 2’ was not just to be a good RPG Maker game, but to be a genuinely good RPG that could stand alongside its inspirations. Its release into a landscape increasingly saturated with diverse indie offerings meant it had to truly differentiate itself to capture attention.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

An Emotional Saga of Reincarnation and Reality

At the heart of ‘Lucid Awakening 2’ lies an “engaging and emotional story set in a deep world full of its own original mythology and history.” The premise is immediately captivating: “The universe and all its inhabitants have been reincarnated, but the world’s structure isn’t how it should be.” This sets the stage for a grand narrative steeped in cosmic upheaval and existential mystery. The central conflict revolves around “Dreamers,” individuals “considered cursed in this society” for their unique ability to dream. Players are tasked with solving “the mysteries behind the Dreamers” and venturing into their “Dreamspaces” — unique, intriguing areas that promise diverse exploration and thematic resonance.

The story follows three main characters: Zeke, Silas, and Terra. Their individual journeys are deeply intertwined with the game’s core mythology through the “Dual Soul system.” This system is not merely a gameplay mechanic but a narrative device; their ability to transform into various ‘Souls’ is a direct manifestation of “their bodies recreating past lives they lived in previous Epochs.” This concept of past lives, reincarnation, and the struggle to rectify cosmic imbalances provides fertile ground for profound thematic exploration.

Characters, Dialogue, and Underlying Themes

While the source material doesn’t extensively detail the characters’ individual personalities or specific dialogue, the description of an “engaging and emotional story” implies well-developed arcs for Zeke, Silas, and Terra. Their transformations into Pure and Veil Souls throughout the narrative suggests a journey of self-discovery and acceptance of their inherited destinies. The in-game ‘Lucid Awakening 1 Primer’ is a thoughtful inclusion, demonstrating a commitment to a rich, ongoing lore that doesn’t alienate new players. It implies a narrative continuity and depth that rewards those who delve deeper into its established universe.

The underlying themes are rich and multifaceted. Reincarnation and destiny are central, exploring how past lives shape present realities and responsibilities. The societal prejudice against “Dreamers” introduces themes of discrimination, fear of the unknown, and the struggle for acceptance. The very act of entering “Dreamspaces” blurs the line between reality and illusion, questioning the nature of consciousness and existence. The narrative likely uses these elements to explore profound questions about humanity’s place in a grand, cyclical universe, and the emotional toll of carrying such a weighty legacy. The Backlog review mentions minor spelling errors, but states they are “typically overlook[ed] as you’re reading through,” suggesting the narrative’s strength generally overshadows these small imperfections.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Loops and Strategic Depth

‘Lucid Awakening 2’ adheres to the foundational loops of a classic JRPG: exploration, narrative progression, and turn-based combat. Players navigate the world, uncovering its “deep mythology,” solving the mysteries of the Dreamers, and venturing into distinct “Dreamspaces.” The combat, described as “challenging,” requires strategic thinking, particularly due to its signature “Dual Soul class system.”

The Dual Soul System: A Strategic Masterstroke

The most prominent and innovative gameplay mechanic is undoubtedly the “Dual Soul class system.” This system dictates that each of the three main characters — Zeke, Silas, and Terra — obtains “their own unique set of Pure and Veil Souls” over the course of the story. Crucially, players “can assign one Pure and one Veil Soul outside of battle, then freely switch between the two in battle” when it’s that character’s turn.

This mechanic is elevated by a clear alignment system: “All enemies are also either Pure or Veil.” The strategic layer emerges from elemental rock-paper-scissors dynamics: “Souls and enemies deal more damage to the opposing alignment but deal less damage to the same alignment. They will also receive more damage from the opposing alignment and take less damage from the same alignment.” This creates a dynamic battlefield where quick tactical decisions about character alignment are paramount. The Backlog reviewer notes that the system is “one of those once you figure it out you can definitely abuse it,” yet cautions that players “still have to watch it!” This suggests a high skill ceiling and rewarding mastery, even if it can be exploited by seasoned players.

Character Progression and Management

Beyond the Dual Soul switching, character progression is managed through two distinct resource pools. Each ‘Soul’ possesses its “own CP pool that will let them get bonuses such as more health or agility.” This encourages players to experiment with different Soul forms and invest in their development. Separately, each character has a “general SP pool that will let them learn abilities.” This bifurcated progression system allows for both deep customization within individual Soul forms and broader character development across all their available Souls. The review suggests that by the end of the game, especially for completionists, “you’ll have had enough time to work on them all and THEN some,” indicating a well-paced progression curve that rewards thorough engagement.

UI, Control Flaws, and Unique Challenges

While the core systems are lauded, some aspects of the user interface and control scheme faced criticism. The Backlog review points out that “the controls explanation definitely also favors keyboard users,” leaving controller players to “figure out ‘uhh what does this do?'” A significant omission was the lack of explanation for how to run away from battle, which proved to be a “big learning experience” in a later, mandatory escape sequence. These UI/UX oversights could lead to moments of frustration, detracting from the overall polished feel.

Furthermore, the game features specific segments that, while thematically justified, were noted for their challenge and potential for player frustration. These include a “timed section” (difficult for players who struggle under pressure), an “unbeatable enemy hunting you down” that “randomly appear/disappear” (causing “jump scares” and difficulty solving puzzles), and a “stealth section where I kept getting spotted by things I couldn’t even see.” While these elements “worked quite well in the context of the story at the time,” they highlight instances where narrative ambition potentially outstripped player-friendliness.

World-Building, Art & Sound

An Evocative World Crafted with Care

The world of ‘Lucid Awakening 2′ is described as “deep” and “full of its own original mythology and history,” a testament to Matt Sharp’s writing. The setting is a traditional “Fantasy” realm, but it’s distinguished by its unique lore of reincarnation, Epochs, and the societal treatment of Dreamers. The ability to enter “Dreamspaces” further expands the world, offering “unique, interesting areas to explore” that likely provide visual and narrative contrasts to the waking world. This layered world-building is crucial for an RPG, providing a compelling backdrop for the characters’ emotional journey.

Visual Identity: Pixel Art with Personality

Visually, ‘Lucid Awakening 2’ embraces a “2D scrolling” and “Diagonal-down perspective,” characteristic of classic JRPGs. The art style is distinctly “Anime / Manga,” rendered in “Pixel Art.” What elevates the visuals is the credit given to Coyotecraft for “Original character art” and “Character & Soul Sprites.” This bespoke artwork suggests a deliberate aesthetic choice, moving beyond generic RPG Maker assets to create a unique and cohesive visual identity for its cast. Despite being pixel art, this dedicated character design ensures that Zeke, Silas, Terra, and their various Soul forms possess distinct personalities and visual flair, enhancing the overall immersion.

Atmospheric Soundscapes, Minor Loops

The game features “Full Audio” and the music is “overall quite good,” according to The Backlog review. It “always seemed to fit the mood,” which is vital for an “engaging and emotional story.” A fitting soundtrack can significantly amplify narrative beats and environmental atmosphere, drawing players deeper into the world. However, the review did note some minor drawbacks: “some of the loops did sound a bit off” and “some of it did get a bit repetitive.” A specific complaint was that the “victory music barely lasts long enough if you’re mashing through the end text,” an easily rectifiable quality-of-life issue. Despite these minor imperfections, the sound design generally contributes positively to the overall experience, enhancing the mood and emotional resonance of the narrative.

Reception & Legacy

A Cult Following, Not a Commercial Juggernaut

‘Lucid Awakening 2’ launched on January 7, 2015, and its reception paints a picture of a game appreciated by a small, dedicated audience rather than a mainstream success. Critical reviews are conspicuously scarce; Metacritic lists “Critic reviews are not available,” and MobyGames shows an “n/a” Moby Score with “Be the first to add a critic review.” This indicates that, like many indie titles, it largely flew under the radar of major gaming publications.

User reception, while limited, is generally positive. Steam lists 6 user reviews, with Steambase reporting 8 total reviews (6 positive, 2 negative) culminating in a “Player Score of 75 / 100.” The itch.io page shows a “Rated 2.8 out of 5 stars (5 total ratings),” which is less enthusiastic but still based on very few data points. The most comprehensive user review, from The Backlog, awarded it a robust 4.5/5, hailing it as an “extremely good RPG” that was “hooked from the start and was great throughout the around 26 hours it took for me to beat it.” Another Steam curator, FFAndMore, also gave it 4.5/5.

Commercially and in terms of player base, the game remained very niche. MobyGames shows it as “Collected By 3 players,” and GameCharts reveals an “all-time peak” of merely 1 concurrent player on Steam, with mostly 0 players across its lifespan. Backloggd indicates 0 played, 0 playing, 28 backlog, and 0 wishlist entries. These metrics confirm its status as a game with minimal commercial impact and a very small active player base, even years after release.

Evolution and Influence

The reputation of ‘Lucid Awakening 2’ has not significantly evolved in the broader gaming consciousness due to its limited reach. It remains a hidden gem for those who stumble upon it, particularly fans of classic JRPGs and RPG Maker titles. Its influence on subsequent games is likely indirect at best. However, its existence serves as a testament to what an independent developer with a strong vision and efficient use of tools can achieve. It demonstrates that compelling narratives and innovative mechanics can emerge from modest origins, challenging the perception that only high-budget productions can deliver meaningful RPG experiences. For the small community that discovered it, ‘Lucid Awakening 2’ is remembered as a passionate endeavor that delivered on its narrative and mechanical promises, albeit with some rough edges typical of solo development.

Conclusion

‘Lucid Awakening 2’ is a captivating example of indie game development, a labor of love helmed almost single-handedly by Matt Sharp of Momiji Studios. It courageously dives into a complex mythology of reincarnation, cursed Dreamers, and cosmic imbalances, weaving an “engaging and emotional story” that belies its humble “RPG Maker” origins. The “Dual Soul class system” stands out as a genuinely innovative combat mechanic, offering strategic depth that transforms turn-based battles into dynamic puzzles of alignment and choice. Coupled with Coyotecraft’s distinctive “Anime / Manga” pixel art and a generally fitting soundtrack, the game successfully crafts an immersive, albeit technically modest, world.

However, the game is not without its imperfections. Minor graphical glitches, occasional spelling errors, and a control scheme that sometimes falters for controller users are reminders of its indie nature. Furthermore, specific gameplay segments, such as timed missions, stealth sections, and encounters with unbeatable foes, while contextually relevant, could prove frustrating for some players.

Despite these minor drawbacks and its severely limited commercial reach, ‘Lucid Awakening 2’ emerges as a profound and rewarding experience for those willing to look beyond its surface. It’s a game that punches above its weight, delivering a narrative rich in theme and a combat system brimming with strategic potential, all while requiring minimal system resources. Its legacy is not found in sales charts or widespread critical acclaim, but in the quiet appreciation of a dedicated few who discovered its unique blend of traditional JRPG charm and inventive mechanics. For fans of narrative-driven, challenging independent RPGs, ‘Lucid Awakening 2’ remains a compelling, if unsung, chapter in the history of games, a testament to the enduring power of dreams, both within its narrative and in its creation.