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A series of [[FourIsDeath four gods]] that call themselves the Sinistrals have come to the world and named themselves rulers of the world. They seek to subjugate the human race and eventually destroy the world. The only thing standing against them is a group of ragtag heroes led by the red-haired monster hunter Maxim.

Sound familiar?

''Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals'', the fifth game in the {{Lufia}} series, is a remake of the game ''Lufia2RiseOfTheSinistrals''. Developed by Neverland, published by SquareEnix in Japan and by Natsume in America, ''Curse of the Sinistrals'' is a very different beast from the original. Though the basics of the plot remain the same, the way in which the plot unravels is different. Characters too have been slightly altered or expanded upon personality and background wise. And boy, is the art style different. The biggest change is the gameplay however. The original was a turn-based RPG that made heavy use of puzzles in dungeons. This re-imagining of the cult classic is instead an action RPG. While the dungeons are still filled to the brim with puzzles the player now directly controls one of the six heroes in combat and can switch between them by clicking on their character portraits thanks to the Nintendo DS's touch screen. Yes, six heroes. Tia and Dekar who originally left the party for their own reasons are now permanent members of your party. Lexis has taken to being the group's transportation expert and plays no role in combat.

Obviously Curse of the Sinistrals is very, very different from the original. Despite this it is still very much a familiar experience and it does pay quite a bit of homage to the original game and its sequel (story wise anyway). The soundtrack in particular is worth noting as it is composed of new variations on the pieces found in the first and second game.


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!!This game provides examples of:
* ActionGirl: Selan once again takes on this role. Tia gets in on the act this time around too!
* ActionMom: Again Selan retakes this role.
* AffablyEvil: Berty and Betty. They're thieves, and proud of it, but they joke around constantly, [[LargeHam are larger than life]] and [[spoiler: actually help Maxim out when he really needs a hand.]]
* ArtifactTitle: There is no Lufia in this game. There was in the first game, though!
* {{Backtracking}}: You go through Soma Temple's upper sector three times, and late in-game, you need to keep revisiting cities to achieve similar events again and again.
* BadassNormal: Guy again isn't magically adept in any form. He doesn't need to be though.
* BatmanGambit: How the alternate ending is set up in a NewGamePlus.
* BattleCouple: Maxim and Selan.
* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler:Though if one plays through the NewGamePlus Maxim and Selan will survive the end.]]
* BlockPuzzle
* BoisterousBruiser: Guy and Dekar.
* BonusDungeon: The Ancient Cave is back again as per tradition.
* CharacterDevelopment: Tia goes through a surprising amount of it, becoming much more tolerant and accepting of Selan. Likewise, Selan learns to loosen up.
* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: "We will create our own future, ourselves." Maxim states this to Daos after that boss fight.
* FiveManBand: Fits to a T
** TheHero: Maxim
** TheLancer: Guy
** TheSmartGuy: Selan, Lexis in a non-combat role
** TheBigGuy: Dekar
** TheChick: Tia
** SixthRanger: Artea
* FlowerFromTheMountainTop: One that is a monster, another that is an actual flower they're looking for.
* ForgottenFallenFriend: [[spoiler: Dekar saves Tia.]] The mourning lasts only a few minutes. [[spoiler: Dekar gets better, though.]]
* FourIsDeath: The Sinistrals.
* GenderFlip: Berty's partner in the original was a man named Bart; in this game, it's a woman named Betty.
* GeniusDitz
* GlobalAirship: Your only form of transportation in the game. The days of map walking are gone.
* GuideDangIt: Some of the puzzles can get to be this.
* [[spoiler: TheHeroDies: His wife goes with him too, though beating the NewGamePlus changes this.]]
* JackOfAllStats: Maxim is this for actual stats, while Dekar can use every weapon, though without the special moves their main users have.
* LargeHam: Berty and Betty are extremely over-the-top, and Gades gets in on the action too.
* LevelDrain: Your party's levels drop to level one while in the Ancient Cave.
* KingOfAllCosmos: [[spoiler:Arek the Absolute.]]
* NewGamePlus
* NobleDemon: [[spoiler:Iris/Erim.]]
* OnlySmartPeopleMayPass: Logismos is regarded as this even within the game's story
* PartyInMyPocket: Only the character currently being controlled is actually shown.
* PhysicalGod: Four of them.
* PuzzleReset: The Reset spell is now a time travel device made by Lexis.
* QuirkyMinibossSquad: Berty and Betty though they are more like a quirky miniboss duo.
* RandomlyDrops: The Ancient Cave blue chests.
* RogueLike: The Ancient Cave.
* RunningGag: Guy's annoyed being called a DumbMuscle, Dekar doesn't get a clue being called an idiot.
* SequelHook: In the ending, Lexis mentions that [[spoiler:the Fortress of Doom]] landed in the ocean near the town of Arus in Westland. This is referencing its location in the original LufiaAndTheFortressOfDoom.
* SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains: Comparing Iris and Erim.
* ShoutOut: Natsume's localization team clearly noticed Lexis's resemblance to Doc Brown from ''Film/BackToTheFuture'' and has Maxim referring to him as "Doc" and Lexis himself exclaiming "Great Scott!" occasionally.
* SkywardScream: [[spoiler:IRIIIIS!!!]]
* SinisterMinister: Idura becomes this.
* SolveTheSoupCans: Why walking across platforms while carrying a box makes a key that opens doors, we will never know.
* ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill: Keep striking a dead enemy before it disappear nets you more EXP and gold, so why not?
* TokenRomance: Selan and Maxim. Tia and Dekar could be considered this as well.
* TryingNotToCry: Tia
* UnluckyChildhoodFriend: Tia though she starts dating Dekar this time around
* WeaponOfChoice
** Swords: Maxim
** DropTheHammer: Guy
** RingsOfDeath: Selan
** TheGunslinger: Artea
** ImprobableWeaponUser: Tia and her suitcase. A suitcase that [[WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs shoots boxing gloves and grappling hooks at things]].
** Dekar can be either one of those things.
* WeddingSmashers.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Artea's backstory and love for Karyn.
* WhiteHairedPrettyGirl: Iris. The Sinistral Erim's hair color was also changed to this from blue. [[spoiler:Of course, the two are one and the same.]]
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: Selan.
** Dekar's traded his blue spikes for more subtle spikes. [[RealMenWearPink Pink subtler spikes.]] And on the other hand, Tia goes from blue to orange.
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