Tag: Review

Review: Hollow Knight

Review: Hollow Knight

by Kirstie ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Platform: Playstation 4 Playtime: 25 hours Genre: Indie Platformer

Impressions: Whimsical, challenging, artistic Rating: 7/10

Hollow Knight is a game that will make you want to drink in the details. There’s a magical quality to its visual design that makes itself known immediately, and every new backdrop deserves a reaction of awe. The world that’s been created is eerie and strange and beautiful in its simplicity, and as you start to delve into the depths of Dirtmouth it continues to get better. Imagine getting lost in a labyrinth of tunnels lit by fireflies and the deathly blue glow of lamps, as you fight your way through the denizens of an underground world to collect souls…and that’s Hollow Knight.

What makes it more unique is that it’s also a miniature world inhabited by all manner of insects, including the playable character who is both adorable and deadly. Your tiny weapon of choice? A nail (aww). Plus you’ll unlock a heap of new abilities that will aid you in progressing through the depths. You will get lost (probably a lot), but persevere, it’s worth it.

This game really made me aware of how bad I am at platformers, but maybe that’s a good thing. Movements need to be super precise, you are swiftly punished for your mistakes, and perfect timing in boss battles is a must. It can be frustrating and discouraging if like me, you lose so many lives for the sake of progression, but it also made it more rewarding when I did eventually master something and move forward.

It really is a labyrinthine game, so it’s absolutely essential to make good use of the map features and purchase all the markers you can. I really enjoyed the random encounters with characters among the isolation of the depths; there’s a mystery dungeon kind of feel to the game, as if you could find a surprise around any corner. The soundtrack was a noticeable element for me too, and I appreciated both the use of suspenseful silence and music that was as equally balanced between grim and beautiful as the artistic visuals.

My favourite thing was entering this area called Greenpath, because it was like stepping out of a dark tunnel, blinking into the daylight, and being struck with a sudden appreciation for all the living and green things. All in all, Hollow Knight is a memorable title which successfully lured me out of my JRPG niche. Good luck with your adventure, and don’t forget your map!

Review: Fire Emblem Three Houses

Review: Fire Emblem Three Houses

by Kirstie ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Rating: 9 out of 5.

Platform: Nintendo Switch Playtime: 60-80 hours Genre: JRPG, tactical

Impressions: Addictive, story-driven, immersive Rating: 9/10

This is a game that you will play more than once.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses for Nintendo Switch is the game that keeps on giving. The end credits were accompanied by an instantaneous desire to start a second playthrough. What were the fates of the other characters? How did my on-game decisions shape the finale? What story arcs did I miss? I just had to know, and this was match point for the game.

At the outset of the story, the player is given the choice to support one of three characters, and by extension, one of three houses. This appears to be an innocuous decision, but ultimately it will determine the story arc your character Byleth is about to embark upon.

If you’re new to the franchise, expect tactical turn-based warfare on the battlefield, and plenty of relationship building and stories to delve into off the battlefield. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a side of romance and humour, served with item collecting.

The inclusion of three separate storylines (plus a lesser known fourth option) was definitely the highlight of this title, but other features also deserve a mention:

  1. The main setting of the story, Garreg Mach, was an unexpected but very pleasant surprise. Its sheer size has no equal in the Fire Emblem franchise, and the option to roam, explore and discover places and people was a great addition.
  2. The recruiting system added an interesting twist also. Traditionally the player would pick up new characters for their army at various points throughout the story, but recruitment in this game was much more action driven. If you want a character on your side, you have to work for it. You have more control over your team but there’s also a challenge in it, and this makes recruitment far more satisfying.
  3. There’s no doubt fans of the series will appreciate seeing battles play out on the big screen for the first time. Visually, battles and cut scenes are striking enough that even new players are likely to take note.
  4. Battalions. Well my, my, aren’t you an interesting one? In another first, you can recruit groups to your cause, or pay them as mercenaries. Your assigned battalions will aid you in battle, and each have unique skills that can be activated to cause damage or give you an advantage.
  5. Fire Emblem games traditionally include a class system that gives you a degree of choice about your characters’ growth and strengths, but in this game it was taken to another level. To get the most out of it you really have to focus your efforts on building your characters in different directions, but this was definitely a positive rather than a negative.

My second playthrough was much more thorough to an almost perfectionist extent, and the game rewarded me for it. My advice would be not to skimp on the character interactions/support feature – It’s not only entertaining and novel but also beneficial for your gameplay.

The story sets a steady pace, and really does a good job exploring what the idea of peace means when there are so many competing ideals, beliefs and motives at play. It succeeds in transcending the simple black and white, good vs evil trope, and creates a cast of grey, well-rounded and complex characters.

Now, who’s ready for a third playthrough?