For many, the stunning quality of the character artworks alone is enough to warrant the purchase, but “Banner of the Maid” is much beyond an eye candy. Its historical setting is not just a fancy background build for showcasing the mademoiselles – in fact, it’s quite the opposite. It’s a dream game built for the most exigent history geek and hardcore gamers. And it delivers both, plus the vivid artwork.

The game story sets in the era of French Revolution, featuring young girls of the time fighting for their causes with mysterious powers. However, this game is not the typical ACG fast-food-like purchases that twist historical heroes into moe-moe busty girls for quick money. Instead, girls featured in this game are either based on historical females or are heavily inspired from contemporary literature.

It's not Napoleon with boobs. And no, the heroine is not playing Napoleon in history. She is playing her own story, as the sister of Napoleon.

In addition, despite the plot comes with fantasy elements, it all blends in well into real history without serious discrepancies. From the beginning to the end, the player can imagine inserting the story into history and picture what could happen if these mysterious powers did exist. What if the sister of Napoleon had magical powers? What if Mirabeau didn't die prematurely? What if Marie Antoinette tried to save France from certain destruction?

Many games tried to take advantage of historical settings to garner support from players. It is easier said than done. “Banner” did it elegantly and faithfully, however.

If you love history and Japanese-style games, “Banner of the Maid” is the perfect marriage of both. And the wedding couple are the most beautiful man and woman I have seen, thanks to the extraordinary artwork.

No one can say that the game is free from flaws, such as the weaker storytelling – oftentimes, players are lost and left confused in the game's timeline, especially when transiting between missions due to insufficient scenes and character interactions (and the rather anti-climax and slightly confusing epilogue), but thankfully, the well-built SRPG gameplay and impressive voices of characters captured all the attention of the player and make them forget the issue.

Just buy this game. Support the debut work of Azure Flame Studio. They deserve way more than the price tag suggested. They are just being too humble. Some hypocrites would accuse the game trying to play weak and beg for pity from players. But for those who actually play the game and interrogate every detail under the magnifier (especially the historical ones, the level of accuracy is simply unrivalled), they will only find the studio’s sincerest dedication and love to thier game. The game itself speaks. It can't lie.

Thank you, Azure Flame. This game just captures a permanent place in my memory. Make more items for your supporters to purchase so you don’t go broke! We hate to lose you!