Once I get started a brand new unfashionable RPG from the KEMCO / Exe Create combo, I achieve this with the information I’ve most probably been right here ahead of. Their video games have a tendency to be minimize from the similar material, however the higher ones deliver sufficient twists and beauty to assist them stand out. Spirit Valor, sadly, didn’t.
The sport does have a promising get started. We’re as soon as once more on the finish of the standard 100 years of peace after vanquishing an as-of-yet undefined evil, however we’re additionally on the finish of that journey. Spirit Valor starts with what seems to be the general boss fight, most effective it doesn’t finish as deliberate. Our hero passes out, two different heroes disappear, and no person turns out certain of whether or not the evil overlord was once in reality defeated.
We finally end up becoming a member of two pairings as they piece issues again in combination. The extra compelling of those is Richard and Alice, basically as a result of Richard may be fused with a spirit who’s ready to keep watch over his frame whilst he’s drowsing (just right factor Richard’s now not Roger). The opposite duo is composed of Vivian and Finn. They’re all rather conventional, however too widely drawn. Extra on that during a little bit.
As a result of his spirit connection, Richard is in a position to use magic via default. The opposite solid individuals, on the other hand, need to shape contracts with spirits or seize the essences of enemies all over fight. This permits avid gamers to customise and degree up the characters’ magic skills as they see are compatible, and you have got the choice to take away those skills to make room for extra (4 lively from a listing of ten). It’s a good device that is helping to allay the redundancy of the random, turn-based battles, which in large part play out as you’d be expecting; a timeline dictates when your celebration individuals can take a flip, at which level they may be able to shield, assault, use an merchandise, or use/summon a spirit.
Past that mechanic, on the other hand, there isn’t a complete lot to do along with your celebration. You degree up as you acquire revel in, and you’ll be able to gain/acquire higher armor and guns as you cross. Maximum KEMCO titles had been a little bit extra creative with celebration control and abilities nowadays, inflicting Spirit Valor to really feel like a step backwards. It doesn’t assist that the sport may be relatively simple. Like maximum KEMCO video games, you’ll be able to acquire rather priced DLC that is helping you degree up quicker, however it’s now not wanted right here. The traditional issue spike with bosses isn’t as pronounced, so you’ll be able to simply push via with slightly grinding or a well-optimized celebration setup.
Exploration additionally feels lackluster. You’ve were given your standard cities to consult with and dungeons to discover, either one of that have minor drawbacks. The dungeons are relatively linear, so operating via them doesn’t really feel as adventurous as customary.
I do like, on the other hand, that you’ll be able to open warp issues in them for later get admission to. The cities are oddly linear, too. If, graphically, the highest of a tree meets a stump, you will have to be capable of stroll at the back of/below the treetop, proper? No, it’s blocked as though the tree has in reality fallen down. It looks like a lazy solution to keep watch over get admission to, and the overall overworld simply isn’t really well accomplished.
The battles, on the other hand, glance a lot better. The characters have respectable element, and the animations/settings are relatively energetic. It’s bizarre that the heroes have a chibi-like design that the enemies don’t, however it’s now not off-putting.
All of those little problems could be more uncomplicated to conquer if the tale was once higher, however I wasn’t ready to get into this one. That is in large part for the reason that discussion felt pressured and juvenile, ceaselessly simply making an attempt too onerous to be humorous. The characters are likeable sufficient, however their personalities and interactions at all times felt fabricated.
I’ve really helpful a large number of KEMCO RPGs as a laugh time-fillers between better adventures, however I will’t achieve this with Spirit Valor. The fight device seems to be just right and performs properly, however the sport isn’t compelling outdoor of battle. If KEMCO’s subsequent unencumber returns some urgency, I’m able to move. Another way, I’m satisfied to sit down within the inn of the introductory village and anticipate the following adventurers searching for help.
