Properly, 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 recreation 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 units in 2014, then later repackaged for the Nintendo 3DS in 2016. It’s now on the Change, bringing alongside its easy gameplay mechanics and fundamental presentation. It additionally brings its understanding 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 reasonably watch “the most recent anime” than get his homework carried out. He considers writing his title on the paper to be 5% completion, and that’s sufficient for him to go exterior 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 instantly up for the journey, so off we go. Yusis can also be a gamer, after all, so he greets all of the JRPG tropes with familiarity and enthusiasm. Fortunately, Cynthia offered him with a magical data of swordplay to assist him survive his preliminary eagerness.
the place the story goes from right here. Yusis and Cynthia meet allies so as to add to their get together. They go on aspect quests to acquire objects and enhance their ranges. They go on treasure hunts. They earn cash to enhance their weapons and armor. They usually have interaction in lots of, many random battles within the dungeons and on the world map.
The battles are turn-based, with the combatants transferring alongside a timeline as dictated by their velocity. When it’s their flip, they’ll use a normal assault, a list merchandise, certainly one of their distinctive expertise, or the occasional particular combo transfer. They’ll additionally select to defend to reduce any injury they could obtain. It’s all as typical now because it was in 2014, however the technique does go a bit deeper. You possibly can place every character within the entrance or again row to maximise talents and/or compensate for vulnerabilities. You’ll additionally connect orbs to weapons and armor to enhance effectiveness. Orbs could be mixed to extend their energy, and weapons achieve 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 method it. Whether or not you should spend a lot time on the character screens, nevertheless, will depend on two issues. First, for those who’re in any respect aware of turn-based JRPGs and don’t thoughts a bit of level-grinding, you may push your means by means of Journey to Kreisia fairly simply. Second, KEMCO offers cheap DLC that simplifies the sport significantly. For instance, for $2.99 you should buy an add-on that will increase weapon leveling by 200%. In case your ranges are superb and also you’re turning into aggravated by the random encounters, you may shut them off fully (or simply reduce them) with a $1.99 buy. I enormously want this sort of DLC over beauty adjustments or equipment.
Irrespective of the way you method 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 might use some changes, nevertheless. The map, for instance, will present your vacation spot, however it’s typically troublesome to find out the best way to attain it. And if 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 flexibility to extra simply see the place you’ve been would’ve eased some confusion.
The tools 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 might use them. Quite a few instances, I purchased weapon orbs for Yusis solely to search out he couldn’t equip them for some purpose. I rapidly discovered to avoid wasting my recreation 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 possible received’t decide whether or not you’ll have enjoyable with this recreation. That can as a substitute fall squarely on how you are 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 growth method. You’ve performed this recreation numerous instances earlier than, however isn’t that the identical if you decide up a brand new platformer or bullet hell title? Familiarity can typically present consolation, and that’s what you’ll get right here. It’s not going to make your top-10 listing—not even of KEMCO-specific titles—however it will get sufficient proper to maintain style followers entertained.