Breath of Death VII: The Beginning: Reanimated is a turn-based RPG remake in which an undead quartet gathers magical crystals for the last surviving human to power a time machine. The Reanimated overhaul lifts the presentation from an NES look to a Super Nintendo style, giving the post-apocalyptic comedy a clean new coat.
The finite random-encounter system is the standout design idea, with each area exhausting its battles after a set number of fights. Encounters become optional once cleared, while a menu option still allows voluntary battles at any time.
Post-battle healing restores full HP while magic recovers only partially, a compromise that keeps the pace brisk. A skip button lets attacks be mashed through without replaying the same animations, removing turn-based tedium.
The comedy leans hard on references, from Resident Evil and Castlevania callbacks to Zelda secrets, a Diablo homage and promotional tombstone flavour text. The silent-protagonist gag, with every thought appearing as a subtitle, lands throughout.
Save anywhere, choose-your-level-up-bonus and unite techniques smooth out the classic structure, and the optional super-boss dangles an Excalibur reward for the thorough. The four-to-six-hour run offers strong value at its modest price.
Difficulty spikes sharply, with the stretch after an early reaper fight and the sturdy ogres the worst of it. Late dungeons turn maze-like with same-looking rooms, bosses shrug off every status effect, and most chests hold little beyond gold or potions.
Overall, encounter design, healing and comedy make Breath of Death VII an easy recommendation for RPG fans. The structure is basic and straightforward, but the neat ideas around it make the journey worth taking.