Tevi is a metroidvania with bullet hell and RPG components. That easy description belies the true nature of this side-scrolling title, which options beautiful graphics, chibi characters, Japanese dialogue, a deep menu system, and a robust fight ingredient. With a lot happening, does it hit the mark?
There’s a protracted and detailed story right here, with the titular Tevi appearing as our protagonist. She’s additionally a beastskin, a species of human with animal qualities. She’s an outgoing gal who ventures into the wild to hunt legendary gadgets referred to as astral gears. These uncommon artifacts are launched by way of a cutscene set years earlier when the world was below assault. Unbeknownst to Tevi, others are additionally looking for these gears, triggering a race to search out all of them.
Alongside the way in which, Tevi meets many fascinating characters. These embrace all method of creatures, similar to demons, angels, and different beastskins. Some are extra pleasant than others; you by no means know when Tevi’s robust persona has offended the flawed particular person up to now, triggering a boss combat. Different conferences are extra fortuitous, along with her biggest allies even becoming a member of her quest. These get together members aren’t playable, as a substitute hiding inside Tevi’s spinning orbs to grant her further energy. The orbs function Tevi’s long-range assault, though she additionally has a melee possibility that’s equally helpful.
Tevi carries a lethal sword that she wields with precision. Fight is fast-paced, with button-mashing combos proving to be very satisfying. Every time you encounter an enemy, your assault is scored by a letter within the prime proper. I loved the sensation of accomplishment that got here with attaining an S as usually as potential.
Enemies range immensely. That is additionally the place the bullet-hell ingredient comes into play, with sure enemies spawning projectiles that should be prevented. Merging bullet-hell gameplay with platforming components presents a brand new problem in the event you’re used to the everyday top-down type of the style. Avoiding bullets in a side-scrolling atmosphere may be difficult, however it works effectively general. Fortunately, Tevi comes with six problem settings to cater for all talent ranges.
As with every metroidvania, exploration is an element and parcel of proceedings. There’s an unlimited world to discover, which may get sophisticated. A map helps make clear issues, however it wasn’t probably the most intuitive instance I’ve seen. This participant discovered herself wandering round very often, uncertain of the place to go subsequent. This could possibly be irritating for some gamers, however it appears typical of the style. Numerous save factors and teleportation pods assist maintain issues accessible, too.
One factor that took me abruptly was the quantity of on-screen dialogue. In the event you’re on the lookout for a text-heavy story, you’ll get pleasure from this outing. Initially, it interrupted the movement fairly considerably. My advice is to keep it up, because the motion does choose up after the primary couple of hours, revealing a extra strong outing. It’s a disgrace the dialogue bogs issues down in the course of the early a part of the sport.
Other than exploring and preventing (and speaking), there are a couple of different targets to maintain you taking part in. Objects may be discovered hidden across the panorama or on the market within the city retailer. These improve your stats, permitting you to customise Tevi to a point. You may as well use recipes to arrange meals, offering one other enhance to your stats. There’s lots happening within the menu, and it pays to verify again sometimes to be sure you’re as powered up as potential.
The graphics are beautiful. This side-scrolling journey options many diversified and colourful backdrops with a 16-bit look that’s merely charming. The background stands out whereas the foreground pops. The chibi-looking characters are additionally effectively designed, oozing persona. Curiously, these brief, cute characters are juxtaposed with taller, extra anime-esque variations of themselves throughout dialogue scenes. It creates an fascinating type and compliments the audio and voiceover work.
The soundtrack is equally great and a stand-out a part of this sport. Upbeat tunes and dramatic beats accompany you in your journey, including to the environment. The audio blends a synth beat with an anime vibe to assist draw you additional into the motion. The voicework—which is solely in Japanese with subtitles—is great, too.
General, Tevi is a beautiful-looking side-scrolling metroidvania with bullet hell and RPG components. A heavy load of dialogue slows issues down initially, however there’s a deep sport hiding beneath the floor with satisfying motion and gameplay.