Fantasy-themed real-time technique coated in basic Vanillaware allure.
Initially launched on PS2, GrimGrimoire is a real-time technique (RTS) sport from Vanillaware, the makers of Dragon’s Crown and 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, and Nippon Ichi Software program (NIS), the makers of the Disgaea collection. The OnceMore re-release options remastered graphics that genuinely elevate the already charming storybook look Vanillaware has change into well-known for, along with a brand new ability tree and revamped person interface. Throughout just a few dozen missions, you’ll information a younger magician in coaching as she tries to uncover the mysteries of the Silver Star Tower the place she is learning. Even when the narrative generally is a bit tough to observe at instances, the controls of this console RTS are stable and the gameplay loop gives a satisfying fantasy-focused tackle the style.
You play as Lillet Blan, a youthful and plucky lady decked out in conventional mage apparel. Throughout her first days at her new college, she meets quite a lot of professors whose classes educate you the ins and outs of GrimGrimoire’s gameplay. Ranges are represented by books on a bookshelf, with cutscenes and particular person missions separated into completely different colours; 25 trial phases have their very own row on the shelf, however these aren’t required to see the principle story by. Sturdy voice appearing and writing buoy the narrative parts of the expertise, however it may be simple to get somewhat misplaced by all of the quirky names thrown at you from the hop.
Whereas the 2D nature of GrimGrimoire’s real-time technique can provide the impression that the gameplay is perhaps pretty easy, the number of items and talents to coach and grasp be certain that nearly each stage is a enjoyable problem. Items are summoned from runes, which operate like portals that may be upgraded to supply extra items and strengthen them. The 12 sorts of runes are divided into 4 magical classes comparable to Glamour, which might summon elves, fairies, and unicorns. In most phases, you’ll begin out with only one or two runes and a handful of items from their respective households, however you possibly can construct extra runes to essentially fluctuate up your forces. In fact, nothing is free; each unit, rune, and improve prices mana, which you should harvest from crystals by sending your employee items there and remodeling the crystal into a sort of mine. The RTS trappings are pretty simple, and anybody who’s performed one will possible decide up the mechanics rapidly. The addition of Grand Magic spells to OnceMore will let you carry out spells that conjure up flames to break a large space and even rewind time, however use of this skill is restricted.
Most missions job you with both destroying your whole opponents runes or surviving for a set period of time. By holding ZR, you possibly can fast-forward time, and the pace of this operate may even be adjusted within the sport’s settings. From the outset, there are three problem modes–simple, medium, and arduous–and you may select which mode you want earlier than every mission. Finishing the sport unlocks a fourth much more difficult problem. Sure ability tree perks are solely obtainable at a selected problem setting.
The ability tree is without doubt one of the most blatant additions to the OnceMore model; it lets you spend cash earned through missions on upgrades to your items and their related rune. For example, for the Hades Gate rune of the Necromancy department, you possibly can improve the ghost and phantom items to spice up their assault and pace, decrease their mana price, and even grant them new talents. The very best a part of the ability tree is that bought upgrades may be refunded, so you possibly can mess around with completely different loadouts and take again cash to make use of on whichever runes you like. The presentation of those screens might be somewhat clearer and the font enlarged, however the best way wherein you need to use the elective trial phases to earn extra cash and unlock extra upgrades does loads to make GrimGrimoire a extra player-friendly expertise.
Whereas the hand-drawn visuals actually shine when it comes to the cutscenes and character/creature designs, the phases themselves find yourself being a letdown compared. Though the layouts can change barely, each stage mainly seems to be the identical, with the identical staircases, black background, and pillars. That there are such a lot of completely different enemies to cope with provides selection to the gameplay itself, however the enjoying discipline may definitely use some range as properly.
GrimGrimoire OnceMore (with feeling) is a textbook instance of the right way to retain an pleasurable expertise and modernize it for a up to date viewers. The whimsical characters and artwork shine in HD, and the RTS gameplay holds up properly on Change. The phases do get somewhat repetitive as you make your approach by the principle story, however there’s greater than sufficient meat on these bones to justify a purchase order for followers of Vanillaware’s earlier works or anybody in search of a satisfying RTS with a fantasy coat of paint.