Sentences written about this title, gathered by type from the Japanese and English Wikipedia articles (as of 2026-8-30).
The game received positive reviews upon its release for its graphics and gameplay but was criticized for not being up to the expectations many reviewers had based upon the developer's previous Japanese role-playing games.
Nintendo Power praised the game for its graphics, sound, play control, story, and variety but criticized it for its awkward battle system and simple A.I.
Although the quality of the musical compositions and sound effects were praised, Scary Larry complained of the player character's dog barking "constantly".
Victor Lucas of Electric Playground praised the game saying that while it did not reach the heights of Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy VI, it was still a highly enjoyable experience.
Video Games praised Squaresoft USA's very first title, noting that while the menu and control schemes were taken from previous Square games, its mood, story, and setting were enough to set it apart from the earlier titles.
Three reviewers from GameFan praised the game.
Secret of Evermore is unique in that it is the only game developed by Square designers in North America.
The soundtrack was released on a CD containing 29 tracks, the first eight of which are arranged versions of the original sound.
The disc was published by Square and was only available initially to those who pre-ordered Secret of Evermore.
Game Players anticipated another game from the same development team, and a critic for Next Generation said that while the game suffered from a number of amateur mistakes, "as a debut title for a new team of designers, it points to a rosy future".
Video Games praised Squaresoft USA's very first title, noting that while the menu and control schemes were taken from previous Square games, its mood, story, and setting were enough to set it apart from the earlier titles.
Producer Alan Weiss's original concept had a group of magic users who "could tell dream stories and transport the listeners into the experience, virtually".
Scary Larry of GamePro, however, found the spell animations weak compared to those of other Square games, and said the bosses are large but strangely unimpressive.
Although the quality of the musical compositions and sound effects were praised, Scary Larry complained of the player character's dog barking "constantly".
Game Players anticipated another game from the same development team, and a critic for Next Generation said that while the game suffered from a number of amateur mistakes, "as a debut title for a new team of designers, it points to a rosy future".
In 2018, Complex rated Secret of Evermore 41st in their "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Times" list.
Following North America, a release in Japan was also planned, but it was ultimately cancelled.
Reviews at the time of release were generally favorable, and it received review scores of around 80% in several game magazines.
Other Square titles such as Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger were being localized simultaneously with the production of Secret of Evermore.
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