Got the game on a whim and it sort of feels like playing the first Demon Souls. The ideas are solid and the devs put in a lot of effort, it's just a matter of experience and developing their niche. I really hope they do well enough to expand and improve this idea because I find the concept charming and the artistic direction very appealing.
I just got this game on sale for $20 and it is surprisingly REALLY fun! The level design may seem confusing at first but the devs did a good job at making locations recognizable so you can't get lost. And the combat is really fun! I'm running a Spear so far and the parry feels so satisfying to pull off!
I'm about four hours into this and I feel pretty much the same way. It's compelling but only to a point, challenge mode also makes bosses incredibly spongy. That coupled with the ability to one or two shot you with basic attacks has turned me off a bit. But hey, at least the difficulty is there if you want it, and for an indie company advanced AI or different attack patterns at a higher difficulty might be a tall ask. It's a pretty good first step into the souls-like genre, but don't expect them to reinvent the wheel.
Because contrary to people's belief, video game "journalist", and websites don't review games for free, they all require you to pay and for a small studio it's better of getting organic growth, considering they now have to pay 40% of the revenue to Unreal for using the engine. That's why you shouldn't trust reviewers they are all paid morons that don't even play the game, just read a script.
I personally liked it, it was refreshing, the art was something new really liked it, yes there are few issues with the map missing but considering it's a new studio I'd say job well done, will defiantly wait for their next game. Also give Hilda voice actress a raise, she defiantly sold the game.
I'm always up for some comfort food. Will definitely grab it but at the same time not in a hurry to do so. Pity about the lack of map though, that's a quality of life feature I pretty much always want in my games.
I am playing this game some now and the map thing is weird, especially coming rfom Elden Ring and AC:Odyssey which have great maps. Still a fun game and I don't mind that I can dial back difficulty.
just got it recently and I feel like this review doesn't do the game justice, it might not stand out in any single area, but overall it's a really charming experience, I hope they'll get to do a sequel of some kind eventually
Its pretty good, but is also the ultimate argument for why a game with a souls like structure should never have a Difficulty select. Choosing challenge mode means enemies deal and tank more damage, making certain encounters a massive pain because you get one or two shot. But the enemies themselves don't change, so all it does is make combat take longer and be less varied. On the other side, going with the easy mode means bosses are pathetic and just get destroyed, making them feel even more like just big normal enemies.
Idk man, I think additional difficulty settings could enhance replayability *when* done right. The normal mode could then be the intended way to play for first timers, while a hard mode could add some extra patterns to enemies to suprise players on a second playthrough.
It's a good argument for how _some games_ shouldn't have difficulty settings. In cases like this, the standard 3 settings end up becoming "balanced" (normal), "imbalanced because no challenge" (easy) and "imbalanced because frustratingly unfair" (hard). Games with this kind of world and encounter design are supposed to be designed around each encounter being ideal for when you reach it. Twisting the difficulty knobs can only result in taking a properly-designed encounter and breaking it.
On one hand I agree that the way its made isn't too good, but on the other, its optional. I would enjoy it more if it had enemy variety instead of just hp and dmg boosts, maybe more varied move set for the higher difficulty, unfortunately thats not a world we live in.
Just because some devs are bad at creating meaningful difficulty doesn't mean difficulty selects are all bad. Look at how character action games like Bayonetta handle difficulty levels: the encounters are wildly different in both number and variety of enemies depending on the difficulty selected. That's one way you make difficulty selection interesting as versus the lazy and tedious "just double their health and damage" approach
@@Inojin67 yes, but the style of game means a new difficulty like that would be basically an entire new game from a development side. Enemy placement is not random, and you can't just add more enemies to an area and keep its structure and flow. Difficulty settings are fine, but for this specific style of game they are just worthless.
This game is a pretty good Soulite! The combat is great and responsive the aesthetics are engaging and the narrative is solid. The level design tho is the great spotlight for me, the devs really nailed the level flow!
As an enjoyer of JRPGs (and a non-enjoyer of the Souls-like genre) I really appreciated having the option to grind XP for a couple hours and then absolutely crush Eulalia 😊
Graphically the game is quite beautiful, and sound is quite good, but game play wise I find it boring, and the controls need some serious work! For in the case of many of my deaths, I would hit the button to activate the salve to heal, only for Hilda to ignore my inputs, only for a monster to kill her.. I was playing it on PS5. They should definitely check, or double check the controls.. There are too few options for boosting stamina, also especially for some weapons, which require dodging.. The Story can be a bit imbalanced with what seems like exposition dumps, and a lot of superficial fluff that doesn't impact the story even though you would think it should.. It's almost like they were trying to make a game about choices that matter, but they rushed this game to completion.. It's a bit tragic when you think about it..
Really wanted to watch your review but, with Closed Captioning disabled (!?), even when it's a free service UA-cam offers, means I can't/won't. Accessibility matters. Please enable this going forward.
Lol i hear that bro! I'm 36 I've always been like that it's like if im looking at a screen 50 plus hours I need a hot girl. Lightning , Cassandra, Fenyx, Yuna, Tifa etc, kena looks awesome!
I can sum this game up in a single sentence . I love it but fix the stupid broken ass AI enemies lol. They either have too simple a pattern or they just stand around and let you kill them facing the wrong way against a wall too often.
Oh thank gawd I didnt buy it... I was expecting something more like Immortals Fenyx Rising and instead its just more Soulslike trash, man the gaming industry really sucks rigth now
I think I may be the only person on the interwebs that really didnt like this game. 6/10 for me. It really didnt click with me at any level. Everyone else is raging about how good it is. I just dont see it.
If you got this game before you bought "Kena: Bridge of Spirits" You f---ed up royally. Its not so much that this game is awful, its just not great either. The combat/skill system feels the most solid. But good god; the writing, atmosphere, level design is pretty damn bad. There is a really good game here buried somewhere, but the ineptitude of certain staff areas drowns it. One of the cases where if this developer was given AAA type money, and/or scouted their outsourcing better it could have really been something. 5.5/10
Looks like another game, nobody needed. I mean what is there that other games did not do exactly the same way? Even the graphic and art style looks like some others. Also i find the setting and character extremely boring.
Absolute garbage game with clunky combat, cannot rebind controls and no map. I am so directionless, where to go, what are the objectives, not even a compass to know the direction. Why developers even bother to make such crap games?
Got the game on a whim and it sort of feels like playing the first Demon Souls. The ideas are solid and the devs put in a lot of effort, it's just a matter of experience and developing their niche. I really hope they do well enough to expand and improve this idea because I find the concept charming and the artistic direction very appealing.
@@anonony9081 no where in the above comment undermined demon souls. weirdo
This is why we need developers to have the chance to refine their sequels. The jump between Demon and Dark Souls is amazing.
@@cathallynch1 I preferred Demon Souls over Dark Souls 1 and 2, though I prefer DS3, BB and ER over DeS.
I just got this game on sale for $20 and it is surprisingly REALLY fun! The level design may seem confusing at first but the devs did a good job at making locations recognizable so you can't get lost. And the combat is really fun! I'm running a Spear so far and the parry feels so satisfying to pull off!
Misheard part of the intro and now I want a game set in the gecko-roman empire.
I'm about four hours into this and I feel pretty much the same way. It's compelling but only to a point, challenge mode also makes bosses incredibly spongy. That coupled with the ability to one or two shot you with basic attacks has turned me off a bit.
But hey, at least the difficulty is there if you want it, and for an indie company advanced AI or different attack patterns at a higher difficulty might be a tall ask.
It's a pretty good first step into the souls-like genre, but don't expect them to reinvent the wheel.
Why aren't there more reviews of this game??
None of the big outlets covered it.
That is really wierd as some even more obscure recent indie releases like: The Last Oricru and Lost Eidolons got more coverage.
yeah, even tho i liked the demo i been trying to check reviews before buying the full game, but like you said, not many review out there
There are lots of reviews of this game, just not yet on the big medias.
Because contrary to people's belief, video game "journalist", and websites don't review games for free, they all require you to pay and for a small studio it's better of getting organic growth, considering they now have to pay 40% of the revenue to Unreal for using the engine.
That's why you shouldn't trust reviewers they are all paid morons that don't even play the game, just read a script.
I personally liked it, it was refreshing, the art was something new really liked it, yes there are few issues with the map missing but considering it's a new studio I'd say job well done, will defiantly wait for their next game.
Also give Hilda voice actress a raise, she defiantly sold the game.
it's a great pickup at $35
It really is
I'd like to point at at 140 when he talking bout weapons, the magic staff can be used to fire projectiles, and u can aim it as well.
I'm always up for some comfort food. Will definitely grab it but at the same time not in a hurry to do so. Pity about the lack of map though, that's a quality of life feature I pretty much always want in my games.
I am playing this game some now and the map thing is weird, especially coming rfom Elden Ring and AC:Odyssey which have great maps. Still a fun game and I don't mind that I can dial back difficulty.
For a game at half the price of triple A game, this totally worth the investment.
just got it recently and I feel like this review doesn't do the game justice, it might not stand out in any single area, but overall it's a really charming experience, I hope they'll get to do a sequel of some kind eventually
Its pretty good, but is also the ultimate argument for why a game with a souls like structure should never have a Difficulty select. Choosing challenge mode means enemies deal and tank more damage, making certain encounters a massive pain because you get one or two shot. But the enemies themselves don't change, so all it does is make combat take longer and be less varied. On the other side, going with the easy mode means bosses are pathetic and just get destroyed, making them feel even more like just big normal enemies.
Idk man, I think additional difficulty settings could enhance replayability *when* done right. The normal mode could then be the intended way to play for first timers, while a hard mode could add some extra patterns to enemies to suprise players on a second playthrough.
It's a good argument for how _some games_ shouldn't have difficulty settings. In cases like this, the standard 3 settings end up becoming "balanced" (normal), "imbalanced because no challenge" (easy) and "imbalanced because frustratingly unfair" (hard). Games with this kind of world and encounter design are supposed to be designed around each encounter being ideal for when you reach it. Twisting the difficulty knobs can only result in taking a properly-designed encounter and breaking it.
On one hand I agree that the way its made isn't too good, but on the other, its optional. I would enjoy it more if it had enemy variety instead of just hp and dmg boosts, maybe more varied move set for the higher difficulty, unfortunately thats not a world we live in.
Just because some devs are bad at creating meaningful difficulty doesn't mean difficulty selects are all bad. Look at how character action games like Bayonetta handle difficulty levels: the encounters are wildly different in both number and variety of enemies depending on the difficulty selected. That's one way you make difficulty selection interesting as versus the lazy and tedious "just double their health and damage" approach
@@Inojin67 yes, but the style of game means a new difficulty like that would be basically an entire new game from a development side. Enemy placement is not random, and you can't just add more enemies to an area and keep its structure and flow. Difficulty settings are fine, but for this specific style of game they are just worthless.
This game is a pretty good Soulite! The combat is great and responsive the aesthetics are engaging and the narrative is solid. The level design tho is the great spotlight for me, the devs really nailed the level flow!
Needs a 4k update on consoles.
Or a performance or resolution option
I only wish there was a little bit more buffer, it feels way too clucky to control the character.
Shame this didn't do a better job; I absolutely adore the visuals & especially the lighting.
As an enjoyer of JRPGs (and a non-enjoyer of the Souls-like genre) I really appreciated having the option to grind XP for a couple hours and then absolutely crush Eulalia 😊
this is actually my type of game so I would like to try it despite the flaws
Waiting for this to go on sale
you should check instant gaming for a good deal
Scorn Zero punctuation next XD
I thought the name of this game was the evil company from the Assassin's Creed series for a bit there.
Ubisoft?
Abstergo
@@No-dl6im I mean you're right, but I meant in lore.
@@gingerinajacket8519 it was a joke 😉
Reminds me of Immortals: Fenix Rising, for better or for worse
AI glitch at distance as if they are running at 30fps.
Kena clears
Graphically the game is quite beautiful, and sound is quite good, but game play wise I find it boring, and the controls need some serious work! For in the case of many of my deaths, I would hit the button to activate the salve to heal, only for Hilda to ignore my inputs, only for a monster to kill her.. I was playing it on PS5. They should definitely check, or double check the controls.. There are too few options for boosting stamina, also especially for some weapons, which require dodging..
The Story can be a bit imbalanced with what seems like exposition dumps, and a lot of superficial fluff that doesn't impact the story even though you would think it should.. It's almost like they were trying to make a game about choices that matter, but they rushed this game to completion.. It's a bit tragic when you think about it..
Staff weak? It literally makes the whole game a cakewalk.
Really wanted to watch your review but, with Closed Captioning disabled (!?), even when it's a free service UA-cam offers, means I can't/won't. Accessibility matters. Please enable this going forward.
Listen if it's got a cute girl and good level design I'm there. Kena was great cuz Kena was cute and I was hyped for Asterigos for the same reason.
Lol i hear that bro! I'm 36 I've always been like that it's like if im looking at a screen 50 plus hours I need a hot girl. Lightning , Cassandra, Fenyx, Yuna, Tifa etc, kena looks awesome!
@@DeathbeforeSumo lol I'm about to pick up Fenyx rising for the same reason.
@@PewPew_McPewster you won't be disappointed it's an amazing game just be prepared to have to use UA-cam on alot of the shrines though.
@@DeathbeforeSumo i understand she has an outfit thats just a tube top/ bralet top and I will be prioritising getting that 😂
U guys need to seriously go outside & look at flesh instead of pixels.
Sounds like it's worth the low price
I can sum this game up in a single sentence . I love it but fix the stupid broken ass AI enemies lol. They either have too simple a pattern or they just stand around and let you kill them facing the wrong way against a wall too often.
So what you're describing as a modern Dark Souls 1
Yeah, your review is about on par with mine that I left on steam.
Soooo it's one of the games of all time
Oh thank gawd I didnt buy it... I was expecting something more like Immortals Fenyx Rising and instead its just more Soulslike trash, man the gaming industry really sucks rigth now
Vulcane is my waifu.
no in-game map?????🥶
Helps to have a map.
I think I may be the only person on the interwebs that really didnt like this game. 6/10 for me. It really didnt click with me at any level. Everyone else is raging about how good it is. I just dont see it.
If you got this game before you bought "Kena: Bridge of Spirits" You f---ed up royally. Its not so much that this game is awful, its just not great either. The combat/skill system feels the most solid.
But good god; the writing, atmosphere, level design is pretty damn bad. There is a really good game here buried somewhere, but the ineptitude of certain staff areas drowns it.
One of the cases where if this developer was given AAA type money, and/or scouted their outsourcing better it could have really been something.
5.5/10
This game is why we didn't get Hellpoint 2 REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
The game looks generic af but at least Hilda looks cute I guess.
Im skipping because of those kid graphics..
Is this god of war?
No, this is Patrick.
no map when ur out is enough to make me not wanna buy this.
this sounded good until you said the price, nearly 40 bucks really feels like a weight class this game should not throw itself into
Like you and the English language.
@@pauls9034 Yeah with this comment that is fair, must have been a 2am one.
Looks like another game, nobody needed.
I mean what is there that other games did not do exactly the same way?
Even the graphic and art style looks like some others.
Also i find the setting and character extremely boring.
Absolute garbage game with clunky combat, cannot rebind controls and no map. I am so directionless, where to go, what are the objectives, not even a compass to know the direction. Why developers even bother to make such crap games?