Again after I reviewed Voice of Playing cards: The Isle Dragon Roars in October of final yr, I had no concept that almost a yr later, I’d be reviewing its third entry. At this level, some may ask if the sequel fatigue has settled in and to that, I’d must admit that it’s difficult.
The collection could be very a lot a “like it or hate it” state of affairs given how a lot of the gameplay move carries over. Whereas its sequels are largely devoted of their variations of the foundations laid out by the primary entry, The Forsaken Maiden launched extra additions to its battle system and a way more fleshed-out story that higher suited its storytelling angle of hopping from island to island making a considerable sufficient enchancment regardless of some balancing points in the direction of the tip and a random encounter charge that meant fixed battles again to again which broke up the pacing.
Nonetheless, the pretty fast manufacturing schedules beg the query: What does The Beasts of Burden do to assist relieve the sequel fatigue? Finally, whereas the third entry does assist handle some points with some new depth given to its gameplay methods, a number of of its different parts just like the story find yourself having to take a backseat.
First issues first, it is a story of revenge. Provided that the idea itself is so linear in nature, the runtime is so much shorter as effectively, with lots of its parts streamlined as effectively. Nonetheless, this tradeoff does enable for the plotlines to be much more centered this time round resulting in some participating twists and turns and finally, given its nature as a revenge story, there are some darker topic issues explored as effectively!
You play as Al’e, a youth from a subterranean village that goals of someday seeing the celebrities within the sky. As she spends her days defending the village from monsters, it isn’t till lengthy that the monsters unleash a devastating assault on her dwelling leaving Al’e the only real survivor. Amidst the devastation, Al’e is rescued by a younger man by the title of L’gol, and their path towards vengeance begins.
As with collection custom, the get together picks up some pals alongside the best way however I’d quite hold these characters a shock provided that they provide some good dynamics to the group. The shorter runtime right here additionally permits these characters to be centered on extra giving some attention-grabbing perception into the intricacies of every member of the solid. I all the time appreciated the bildungsroman setups of every entry of the Voice of Playing cards collection however this one feels far more private provided that the character of its revenge setup additionally means it’s an examination of the methods the primary character handles grief.
Whereas it’s not exceptionally deep it nonetheless does make for an attractive narrative angle. It’s additionally of observe that the brand new tracks right here by collection composer Keiichi Okabe, significantly improve among the extra vital scenes with the vocal tracks, specifically, being a big spotlight within the general expertise.
As for the gameplay sections, it’s nonetheless Voice of Playing cards so the core gameplay loop of utilizing playing cards and cube for rolls stays largely the identical. The key additions right here nonetheless are the addition of environmental gimmicks and extra importantly, the brand new “creature amassing” gimmick providing an alternative choice to conventional assaults and skills within the earlier entries.
The environmental gimmicks are sometimes current in particular moments like the start combat within the village having floor traps and rock traps which you need to use within the combat as talents to do quite a lot of completely different assaults. The key change right here, nonetheless, is the addition of the monster playing cards that may be gained from battles or at shops unfold all through the map. These playing cards enable for quite a lot of choices in battle and always incentivize making an attempt out new combos and grinding can be considerably incentivized which significantly improves the exploration loop within the overworld and dungeons as getting duplicates generally will boast the next rarity permitting for extra highly effective variants of the identical card having the ability to be used.
As talked about earlier than, the sport itself is much extra streamlined when it comes to design than its predecessors however that additionally permits for the overworld and dungeons to really feel much more snappy. This focus additionally permits for not solely intelligent puzzles that don’t overstay their welcome however extra memorable dungeon design in consequence. That being mentioned, the random encounter charge continues to be fairly excessive right here however on the very least your persistence is rewarded given the prospect of every encounter dropping a card stays tantalizing all through the tip.
Sadly, the gameplay right here being streamlined additionally means the expertise is considerably easier than The Forsaken Maiden which I personally thought earned its issue spikes for essentially the most half. Nonetheless, that’s a tradeoff I’m prepared to make finally given how a lot the overworld and dungeons profit from that focus.
As common, the majority of the expertise is basically skilled by way of the presentation of its tabletop aesthetic right here and the comfortable ambiance that’s turn out to be a collection staple stays the identical right here. There’s a brand new recreation grasp this time round and the performances by each the English and Japanese voice actresses stay endearing and do an excellent job at bringing numerous the great script to life. Pairing all this with some nice new designs by Kimihiko Fujisaka and the aforementioned soundtrack by Okabe and the collection’ ambiance is preserved virtually completely on this new entry.
Voice of Playing cards: The Beasts of Burden be on the shorter aspect of the entries thus far however that’s to not say that it doesn’t have so much to supply. Whereas repetitive at occasions, the core gameplay loop has been revamped in a means that whereas may appear minor to some significantly provides worth to taking part extra actively within the methods it engages its gamers with.
Total, The Beasts of Burden is a extra streamlined model for higher or worse, and for returning gamers the familiarity of its methods could elicit curiosity or lack thereof, however I believe when you keep it up for its opening hour, the sport will get the ball rolling narratively and opens up gameplay-wise pretty fast comparative to its forerunners. I simply hope that someday this collection can tackle some bigger adjustments to refresh curiosity for others and take the collection on one other trajectory fully.
For me, it’s the little steps within the course of that matter most, and Voice of Playing cards: The Beasts of Burden looks like a very good path in the direction of that. In spite of everything, one may finest describe Voice of Playing cards as a collection that will get higher because it goes on, a sentiment that I hope continues to hold its personal weight sooner or later.
Model Reviewed: PC (Steam)
Disclaimer: Evaluation code offered by the sport’s writer Sq. Enix.