Lotheneil vs. The Backlog Hydra, Ep. #30
Another week spent on VITA games rather than backlog killing. Oh well, at least the number is going down somewhat :)
A dated (released in 2007) hack&slash. One of the games I can only ask myself "why did I actually complete that?" about. The problem does not even lie in visuals (while definitely nothing breathtaking, the title at least launches in 1080p), but in a really clunky controls (mostly combat and item use). Somebody had a bright idea to create a combo-like spell casting system: in order to cast a spell - and you do it all the time, the character is a mage after all - you need to press (for example): up, down, up, RMB. Unique and completely unviable. Fortunately standard key bindings can be used as well. After adding a bland and uninspiring plot, the result is a mediocre game I cannot recommend.
Status: completed (unless I've missed a sidequest or two somewhere, not that I really care at this point).
Demon Gaze
Dungeon crawler with turn-based battles on a separate screen and visual novel-style conversations. Interesting, long and quite difficult at times. Towards the end of the game some serious grinding was required, as I’ve observed a definite difficulty curve spike (in Astro’s domain). Fortunately there are some QOL functionalities - autowalk (choose a cell on the map and the party will move there on their own, though random battles will still occur), ability to repeat all combat orders in the following round as well as speeding up all actions during a round by holding circle button. There are some quirky characters and Japanese-style gags I’m not exactly fond of, but all in all it was a really enjoyable experience.
Status: completed - all bosses (including post-game) beaten. Time spent: ~50h.
Child of Light
Yes, VITA has its own version as well. A platformer with RPG elements and ATB-based combat on a separate screen, with distinct feel of a fairy tale: enforced with plot, visuals and characters speaking in rhymes. An unique element is a firefly that accompanies us thorough the game, who we can give orders to (using right stick or touchscreen, the latter works really well), to light dark areas, open chests, operate mechanisms, heal the party both in and out of combat, as well as blind enemies to slow them down. Even though I was a bit bored with overly long battles in the last couple of chapters and rhymed conversations weren’t easy to follow, it was still a very enjoyable and relaxing experience.
Status: completed - main storyline and all sidequests finished. Time spent: ~15h.
Playing Vita games still counts as killing backlog! I feel like powering mine up again too, I still got many games on it I want to give a try.