Nicely, we’ve reached the purpose with KEMCO that we now have throwbacks to their throwback RPGs. Possibly we’d reached that time already, however no sport has made it really feel extra apparent to me than Journey to Kreisia.
This JRPG within the grand KEMCO type was initially launched for cellular gadgets in 2014, then later repackaged for the Nintendo 3DS in 2016. It’s now on the Swap, bringing alongside its easy gameplay mechanics and fundamental presentation. It additionally brings its figuring out humorousness and full of life cadence, so it nonetheless works to a sure diploma.
Journey to Kreisia facilities round an actual world child, Yusis, who’d slightly watch “the newest anime” than get his homework executed. He considers writing his identify on the paper to be 5% completion, and that’s sufficient for him to move outdoors the place he’s instantly summoned into the world of Kreisia. Appears they want a savior each ten years to ship them from the Overlord, and this time, Yusis is the man.
His summoner, Cynthia, explains to him what’s happening. Yusis, initially pondering it’s all a dream, is straight away up for the journey, so off we go. Yusis can be a gamer, in fact, so he greets all of the JRPG tropes with familiarity and enthusiasm. Fortunately, Cynthia supplied him with a magical data of swordplay to assist him survive his preliminary eagerness.
You recognize the place the story goes from right here. Yusis and Cynthia meet allies so as to add to their occasion. They go on facet quests to acquire objects and enhance their ranges. They go on treasure hunts. They earn cash to enhance their weapons and armor. They usually interact in lots of, many random battles within the dungeons and on the world map.
The battles are turn-based, with the combatants shifting alongside a timeline as dictated by their pace. When it’s their flip, they’ll use a normal assault, a listing merchandise, one in all their distinctive abilities, or the occasional particular combo transfer. They will additionally select to defend to attenuate any harm they might obtain. It’s all as typical now because it was in 2014, however the technique does go a bit deeper. You may place every character within the entrance or again row to maximise skills and/or compensate for vulnerabilities. You’ll additionally connect orbs to weapons and armor to enhance effectiveness. Orbs will be mixed to extend their energy, and weapons acquire new traits the extra you utilize them.
So, though the fight system is kind of easy, there’s nonetheless some customization in the way you strategy it. Whether or not it is advisable spend a lot time on the character screens, nevertheless, will rely upon two issues. First, in case you’re in any respect acquainted with turn-based JRPGs and don’t thoughts somewhat level-grinding, you may push your means by Journey to Kreisia fairly simply. Second, KEMCO supplies cheap DLC that simplifies the sport significantly. For instance, for $2.99 you should purchase an add-on that will increase weapon leveling by 200%. In case your ranges are positive and also you’re changing into irritated by the random encounters, you may shut them off utterly (or simply reduce them) with a $1.99 buy. I tremendously desire this sort of DLC over beauty adjustments or equipment.
Irrespective of the way you strategy the sport, it’s a fairly breezy journey. The story stays mild all through (when in comparison with most JRPGs, anyway), and it’s simple to hop again into its movement at any level. The UI may use some changes, nevertheless. The map, for instance, will present your vacation spot, however it’s generally tough to find out the best way to attain it. And whenever you attempt to pull up a map when in a dungeon, you’re solely proven the place that dungeon is on the world map. Contemplating the quantity of backtracking required to acquire treasure and discover the hidden paths within the dungeons, the power to extra simply see the place you’ve been would’ve eased some confusion.
The gear screens had been oddly cumbersome to make use of, too; maybe due to their cellular origins. Most annoying, nevertheless, is that the orb buy interface by no means outlined who may use them. Quite a few occasions, I purchased weapon orbs for Yusis solely to search out he couldn’t equip them for some purpose. I shortly discovered to save lots of my sport earlier than making such purchases to keep away from purchaser’s regret.
Visually, Journey to Kreisia is a combined bag. The character illustrations are good and the battle actions are properly animated. The environments, nevertheless, are fairly fundamental and repetitive.
There’s additionally nothing to point which objects are price investigating. I spent extra time than I’d care to confess making an attempt to work together with objects simply because they appeared misplaced.
These complaints probably gained’t decide whether or not you’ll have enjoyable with this sport. That can as a substitute fall squarely on how you’re feeling about retro RPGs like this. At 10 years of age, Journey to Kreisia is a by-the-books KEMCO/EXE-CREATE title from the interval earlier than they began to diversify their improvement strategy. You’ve performed this sport numerous occasions earlier than, however isn’t that the identical whenever you decide up a brand new platformer or bullet hell title? Familiarity can generally present consolation, and that’s what you’ll get right here. It’s not going to make your top-10 checklist—not even of KEMCO-specific titles—however it will get sufficient proper to maintain style followers entertained.
