Astor: Blade of the Monolith is an motion RPG, developed by C2 Recreation Studio and printed by Versus Evil. Should you’re in search of a considerably easy journey sport with gentle hack-n-slashing, then you definitely’re in luck. Nevertheless, if you need a sport that entails a robust story and enjoyable world constructing, possibly look elsewhere.
Let me start by saying I loved my time with Astor: Blade of the Monolith, despite the fact that it had its moments of frustration. So, let’s start with the characters and story.
You play as Astor, a Diokek, on the planet of Gliese. Every part is peaceable till the Hiltsik (the unhealthy guys) seem and trigger mayhem. Astor should journey throughout the planet to determine what’s happening, defeat these monsters, and save everybody. It’s a typical story for an journey RPG.
Narrative is instructed throughout temporary lower scenes between the mute protagonist, his buddy, and different NPCs who attempt serving to. Exposition can be instructed through voiceover as Astor travels from one space to the following. The voiceover explains extra of the overworld and the historical past of the planet and the ancients. Nevertheless, I used to be usually too busy determining the place I used to be going to concentrate. Additionally, if I obtained too near the following half, a lower scene would activate, thus slicing off the voiceover. So, even when I paid consideration, I wouldn’t at all times get the total story.
The lower scenes have been generally tough to get by way of. The camerawork was gradual at greatest, usually attempting to assemble the surroundings. Setting the scene is sweet when there’s one thing to have a look at. In keeping with the sport’s description, the participant can “discover the colourful planet of Gliese.” The colours are vibrant, sure. The precise setting? Not a lot.
Astor: Blade of the Monolith has beautiful cities, however you may solely discover a lot. The outlets aren’t precise outlets, and you’ll solely converse to NPCs that may assist push you ahead within the story. The exploration doesn’t exist as a result of the sport holds your hand in the place it needs you to go subsequent. Belief me, I take pleasure in it when video games goal the path you’re presupposed to go in. Nevertheless, once I tried going off the primary path, an invisible wall would usually cease me after going up to now.
With that stated, I didn’t proceed this sport for its world constructing or story. I loved the hack-n-slash battles, even when the controls have been difficult to grasp. You assault with X. You utilize A in your particular assault. B is to leap, Y is a particular runic energy you’ll finally unlock. To dodge, you press ZR, however to protect, you press L – not ZL, simply L. The additional alongside within the sport, the extra controls you unlock. So, R and ZL do finally get used, nevertheless it didn’t really feel even for some time.
The correct analog stick allowed you to regulate the digicam, however you can solely accomplish that a lot earlier than the sport compelled it again to its unique place. This was particularly irritating throughout battles as a result of Astor would generally find yourself instantly in entrance of the digicam. So, I both couldn’t see myself or what I used to be doing and the place I used to be going through, or I might solely see Astor and have a tough time seeing the enemies in entrance of me. In any other case, the enemies in Astor: Blade of the Monolith are comparatively simple. The problem doesn’t spike an excessive amount of, which was good to a sure extent. After some time, the sport didn’t really feel difficult sufficient, thus inflicting the battles to be unexciting.
Despite the fact that this sport is an RPG, you don’t stage up. As a substitute, you’ll earn experience-like factors from defeating enemies and busting purple crystals you discover throughout the world. You’ll additionally discover crystals mendacity about in every space to make use of as forex. Every new space has a dome-like hub that lets you spend this forex and factors to earn upgrades. For instance, you should purchase extra therapeutic crystals, increase your sword’s harm, unlock combo strikes, and the like.
General, the story and the world aren’t sturdy sufficient to maintain your consideration. The battles are enjoyable, however the extra you unlock and the stronger you get, the battles develop into simpler. Quickly sufficient, you’ll really feel you’ve seen all the sport presents earlier than you’ve accomplished the primary story. Nonetheless, Astor: Blade of the Monolith is a enjoyable hack-n-slash motion sport, a minimum of for a short while.