Buzz
If you're a fan of tactical role-playing games, from the Fire Emblem series to some Final Fantasy spin-offs, you'll find a familiar vibe in Reverie Knights Tactics.
Reverie Knights Tactics sets the story's backdrop with the image of Lennórien, once a prosperous city of small folk, now desolate after a vengeful attack by Goblinoid tribes.
Superiors command adventurers to assess and rectify the situation, but years pass without any returned response. This is where players step in. We take on the role of the daughter of one of the missing adventurers. Players must journey to the city now renamed Rarnaak and uncover what transpired.
During combat, players are thrust into a battlefield teeming with adversaries. Movement is limited to tiles highlighted in either blue or yellow. However, stepping onto a yellow tile consumes all Action Points (AP) and prohibits attacks. Additionally, various interactive obstacles can cause damage to EVERYONE within range. Therefore, players must carefully consider the consequences of interacting with these obstacles.
In each battle, certain tasks grant players EXP and Cogni. EXP is straightforward, allowing for level upgrades. However, Cogni is the currency used to decode magical scrolls, enhancing all character stats.
Unfortunately, if players fail to meet objectives, they must delete all battles to replay, if desired. When moving to the next battle, replaying that level won't be an option. This is a design aspect I dislike, especially for achievement hunters.
However, Reverie Knights Tactics isn't just about skirmishes. Throughout the main storyline, you'll encounter choices that affect how others perceive Aurora, the main character. For example, choosing too many 'Chaotic' options makes them think Aurora is brave but lacks intelligence, while too many 'Commanding' choices make them believe she's smart but weak in combat. Depending on the player's choices, the text color will also change in the following scene.
Regarding the main menu, the user interface doesn't seem optimized for controllers. The instructions sometimes aren't very helpful. The control buttons are quite cumbersome and can detract from the player's enjoyment.
Overall, Reverie Knights Tactics is a great game with an excellent storyline, but unfortunately, the user experience isn't very smooth or suitable. Despite the engaging content, the control buttons sometimes make the gameplay experience a bit frustrating.
