Astor: Blade of the Monolith is an motion RPG, developed by C2 Sport Studio and printed by Versus Evil. Should you’re searching for a considerably easy journey recreation with mild hack-n-slashing, you then’re in luck. Nevertheless, if you would like a recreation that includes 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 little thing is peaceable till the Hiltsik (the unhealthy guys) seem and trigger mayhem. Astor should journey throughout the planet to determine what’s occurring, 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 pal, and different NPCs who attempt serving to. Exposition can also be instructed by way of 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 typically 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 chopping off the voiceover. So, even when I paid consideration, I wouldn’t all the time get the complete story.
The lower scenes had been generally tough to get by. The camerawork was gradual at finest, typically making an attempt to collect the surroundings. Setting the scene is sweet when there’s one thing to have a look at. In accordance 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 retailers aren’t precise retailers, and you’ll solely communicate to NPCs that can 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 get pleasure from it when video games goal the path you’re alleged to go in. Nevertheless, after I tried going off the primary path, an invisible wall would typically cease me after going thus far.
With that stated, I didn’t proceed this recreation for its world constructing or story. I loved the hack-n-slash battles, even when the controls had been difficult to grasp. You assault with X. You employ A on 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 recreation, the extra controls you unlock. So, R and ZL do finally get used, but it surely didn’t really feel even for some time.
The fitting analog stick allowed you to regulate the digital camera, however you may solely achieve this a lot earlier than the sport compelled it again to its authentic place. This was particularly irritating throughout battles as a result of Astor would generally find yourself immediately in entrance of the digital camera. 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 troublesome time seeing the enemies in entrance of me. In any other case, the enemies in Astor: Blade of the Monolith are comparatively straightforward. 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.
Though this recreation is an RPG, you don’t degree up. As a substitute, you’ll earn experience-like factors from defeating enemies and busting crimson 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 buy extra therapeutic crystals, enhance your sword’s injury, unlock combo strikes, and the like.
Total, the story and the world aren’t robust sufficient to maintain your consideration. The battles are enjoyable, however the extra you unlock and the stronger you get, the battles turn 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 recreation, at the very least for a short while.
