After playing Disco Elysium and Tyranny, I got a new found appreciation for story-driven RPG game with heavy visual novel elements. As someone who has a rather short attention span and can't really stand reading whole novels (even games with voice acting require me to pause rather often 😭), a lot of these narrative driven games become a replacement for novel for me. 🙃

What I find really fascinating is that some of the best within this genre are actually lower budget indie games that aren't very well known or take quite a bit to become known. 1000xResist really comes to mind where it really did not pick up steam until toward the end of the year during award season, or even non-RPG like Mouthwashing that took a bit before it really became a smash hit that it was.

There's a certain publisher with the turtle logo that I really keep my eyes out for when it comes to these sort of games. Akupara really do got all kind of bangers under this umbrella with iconic works such as Universe For Sale, Rain World: Downpour, CryptMaster and, my recent favourite, Sorry We're Closed.

Sorta made a promise to myself to not miss such a banger on release like I did when Sorry We're Closed came out, so I've been paying more attention to these guys in particular as of late. Back in January, I started seeing a small buzz on Twitter with their upcoming title, Cabernet. I was like "yeah I'ma play this after I'm done with Avowed" and that game took FOREVER for me to go through (and it was worth every single minute).

Cabernet is one of those game that really got me with its trailer alone. Playing as a 1800s Eastern European vampire, while not a new setting, is something that I don't think a game let you do so since Vampyr. I also love how the characters look like paper dolls, really help make it stands out among other visual novels. The gothic vibes it got going is the cherry on top of it all.

The game makes one heck of an impression with how it starts; with the main character's funeral!!!

You play as the young Morozova Elizaveta (or Liza), an Eastern European doctor who...is dead. :') We hear Uncle Mitko narrate about Liza's short life. As he spills the beans, you get to pick how she lived her life. Not only are you establishing her past, but also her starting stats, which is certainly a rather memorable way to do your character creation I reckon.

There are four main stats that Liza can become proficient with: Music & Art, Literature, Science and History. These stats are required to unlock certain dialogue options and reward Liza experience to get even more stats. But this isn't the only way for Liza to optain these skills, you can spend in game days reading her new found vampire life away to level up yourself as well.

But those stats aren't the only thing the game's amazing UI keeps track of, and certainly not the only way to unlock optional dialogues (aside from learning new info through speaking with other NPCs). This game also has a very naunce morality system. Liza, as the game progresses, can be rewarded with humanity point or nihilism point. What I love about it is that this isn't not a "good vs evil" way of presenting her character, but how she perceives her second life. Really ties in well with the whole "should we can we hold on to our humanity or give into hopelessness" question that the game is asking off of the player. 

Of course, you can become a horrible person (well... vampire) too! But just because you have a lot of "red" points doesn't mean Liza is an evil lady or anything.

For instance, you are given freedom when it comes down to drinking blood. Are you going to befriend and enchant people to feed yourself? Or would you rather hunt small animals and suck them to death to sustain yourself? How about hitting up the local salon that totally serve you "cabernet" (the game name's sake) and get locally sourced blood that way? 

And just because you're a small town vampire, it doens't mean you won't make a lot of friends. In fact, as a town's doctor, you got many friends. 23 of them. And a cat. 🤔

And yes, you can romance some of them too! But I'll be real, the romance system is not deep at all but the game also makes it clear that it isn't the game's main focus to be fair.

But what's really cool about this big cast is that they actualy managed to give everyone relevancy. Most of the cast members have their own questline or are heavily involved in the the main story/side quests. On top of them, if you wish, you can almost get all of them dead if you play your cards right. Likewise, you can also keep them all alive throughout the game too which in itself is a challenge.

These side quests don't only expand the characters and showcase their personality, but explore multiple heavy topics. Be it alcoholism, equality, feminism, classism and many other social issues that can also be reflected to what's happening in the real world today. The game also asks us through all the characters what it means to be alive. Does living for an eternity really quality as living? There are vampires you will meet that are borderline suicidal for having not seen the sunlight in so long, while some absolutely appreciate the very little moments in their incredibly long life.

The portrayal of  partriachy through Liza being a doctor in the 1800s or even police brutality are also things that the game does not shy away from, but not the main focus or too much that it starts feeling miserable to play either. The game does a great job balancing these heavy topics with its light hearted dialogues that are appropriately placed to give us players a break.

But yeah even if this game doesn't contain combat, it sure does make you wish there was so you could suplex some assholes.

It all circles back to the cruel world we live in. Do we need to "toughen" up to really survive it? Or will sheer kindness and humanity get us through its cruelty?

It's a great reminder that even though things get tough, we still have people around us that we can connect to and through these connections we are able to live. Doesn't matter if we're a humanist or some nihilist edge lord, Liza (and us) can still meet people that will teach her something in her rather weird life now. 

And everything you do with them, to them, and for them will have everlasting impact. Choices have consequences (and sometimes a harsh one). The game does a great job at making these choices feel like a gut punch when you see their outcomes. All around, it's such a well written game that got me really thinking.

What sucks is Party for Introverts, being a small team on a very tight budget, can't really hold proper QA for the game, resulting in its buggy state. Most of the kinks are already ironed out, but there are a few game breaking bugs that can soft lock your game. The game gets patched every other day, but if you're interested I'd say wait for a few months they're ironed out. As for me, the incredible writing really helped me push through, and the very rewarding epilogue got me to overlook these bugs in all honesty. Easily my game of the year contender despite its issues, and I'm glad they're being resolved as the days go by.

Done With #11: Cabernet

It's undeniable that Japanese devs have been on fire the past 4 years. You could say that it's a return to form and this is the new golden age of Japanese game development. As we know, Capcom essentially leading this movement with successful remakes from old franchises and sequels to their anticipated games (despite Dragon's Dogma 2 being a black hole in this... golden age), and SEGA with the three musketeers (Sonic Team, Atlus, RGG) pumping out games that not only sell well, but are acclaimed critically. 

However, I always see Koei Tecmo to be rather underappreciated in all this. They are not as flashy as the former two studios, but they have been killing it with their own IPs. With Atlier games being quite a hit, and Team Ninja finding massive success with their Nioh formula, they're essentially quietly helping push the industry in Japan forward.

Which is quite a bummer that Dynasty Warrriors and Warriors Orochi have not found their footing for so long, with DW9 being both a commercial and critical flop. Thankfully, Koei keeps Omega Force around and have them serve as contractors that work with big studios to make some memorable musuo style games (Persona 5 Strikers and the two Fire Emblem musuo games come to mind).

And it's no big surprise that their recent effort, Dynasty Warriors: Origins, did not disappoint. With more experience working with other teams and assistance from Fire Emblem writing team and Team Ninja (who are on a roll with their Nioh-likes). It's quite awesome to see a legacy studio gained so much confidence and successfully experimented.

However, let's be real, as much as everyone loves Origins, a lot of fans also miss how you can 1v1000 with hundreds of characters like old days. Which is where WARRIORS: Abyss comes in. With the roguelike craze going on, what's better than having 105 playable characters in that gameplay format and all their moveset intact from the latest games!? 

I mean you could say that's essentially a Hades clone with the format that it has. But for a franchise that always focus on quantity over quality, this game is it. As mentioned previously, up to 105 characters that surprisingly play differently, with you being able to recruit multiple characters during the run and have 6 joining you in the battle (via Support Skill system). 

Omega Force claims that there are, *lemme read this again*

Well, yeah it's a big claim to make, and it's not exactly true. It's the number of total possible combinations, which in a sense is a fact, but some of the support skills are very similar to others (just recolours). However, I can guarantee that for the most parts, the 105 characters (well I only played 40) feel different to play since DW8 and Orochi 4.

The biggest different between this and regular Warriors game is its camera angle. Abyss utilises what has become de factor roguelike top-down camera like Hades. It makes the 1v1000 aspect of the game feels that much more impactful, as you can see everyone getting slashed down around you clearly. While it's not as innovative and as deep as Origins with its combat, it's still very cool and it's such a nostalgic feeling to be able to revisit character from my childhood games and enjoy them this way.

The controls are rather simple and is exactly the same as the usual Warriors format, with you pressing Square (or X) repeatedly into Triangle (Y) for big moves. However, with an extra prss of Y, you will be casting the supporting skill from recruited hero corresponding to the number of Squares you press.

It allows for quite a bit of replayability with how simple and short each runs are (up to 40 minutes max if you're unlucky). 

With how it's a roguelike game with 16,000,000,000 playstyles, it's incredibly replayable. There's also strategic depth to this game that I was surprised to find with its emblem system that changes how run plays. So instead of 16,000,000,000 playstyles, it realisticallyhas like 200 or something depending on the emblen combinations and levels.

Each emblem obviously gives you different power, and getting it to 12-18 give some crazy benefits. From obvious ones like fire emblem that permanently burn enemies, wisdom emblem that allows you to spam musuo moves (or your ultimate moves), or even the strength emblem that turns you near invincible.

On top of allying heroes based on their emblems, you also want to check their "categories" as that also unlocks crazy effects that power you the hell up. For example, if you are running Lu Bu, you really want to activate to Dong Zhou army effect to double your attack stats. Or if you are running any of the Five Tiger Generals, you really want to stack them as they synnergise and exponentially increase your power.

However, the 4 zones presented in this game are rather bland making all 36 stages you have to get through feel very samey.  This is an area that Omega Force really fall short with the game. Yeah, you will mostly keep your eyes on the flashy VFX and moves, but it's hard not to compare this game to Hades and the likes. It's a bit unfair as this is clearly a low budget title made as experiment, but it's something to point out

But notice how I haven't said a thing about the story? Well, what story LMAO!

This game's story sucks ass. You are isekai as a general who has to assist a twink called Enma to reclaim hell. That's it. It's incredibly bland with no sauce aside from a femboy bait. 😭

But overall, it's such a blast to play. Turn your brain off and kill everything you see experience. The dopamine hit I get from VFX and big damage number flying around is so awesome. Yeah it has its short coming with bland zones and a poopy story, but with its low price it's not a bad purchase at all.

I'm also very excited to see what's next for Koei Tecmo. I think that Omega Force really laid a solid foundation for this year with this title and DW Origins. With Rise of Ronin coming out soon on PC, and the Gaidens and Atliers having sequels coming. They're looking like they'll be having a great year.

But what's more exciting than Omega Force's future themselves. I'm glad they're out of their comfort zone, dipping their toes into new genre and implementing new systems to Origins that introduce new mechanics to the gameplay loop.

Done With #10: WARRIORS: Abyss

Honestly wished I played this last year. Definitely would have made top 5 list.

AHHHH I CAN TALK ABOUT HOW AMAZING THE ART STYLE IS FOREVER!

The game knows what it wants to be. It's here to slay. It's here to make you blush and breaks your heart.

Sorry We're Closed talks about love in many forms, be it between friends, partners, unrequited love, toxic relationship and even a healthy one, and it does hella good job doing so. Despite it being a "horror" game, there's so much tenderness that can be felt and I can't help but smile throughout the game... for the most part (cuz it doesn't get a lil SPOOKY).

à la mode games expertly utilises the current trendy low polygon PlayStation style to its maximum potential. Especially since at its core, the game is a survivor horror (and is clearly heavily inspired by Silent Hill), this feels like a game that could have been released on the PS1 for real. 

Also the character designs are simply fire. All of them are memorable writing wise and it's incredibly hard to not look at how GOOD LOOKING they are. I mean, check out our protect and her bestie Robyn below.

As mentioned earlier, the game is all about love. The writing uses light comedy to make heavy topic such as abandonment and toxic relationship feel easily digestible, but never taking away how serious they have to be taken. There's a lot to think about while playing, and there's a lot to reflect on good and bad. 

But that's not all. The aesthetic of this game is seriously on point. From the usage of colours to how much care is put into the UI, everything feel just right. The vibe is seriously immaculate, and as I mentioned earlier this is a result of knowing what you want your game to be.

However there are a couple of nitpicks I got for this game:  

THE GAME DESPERATE NEEDS CHAPTER SELECT! Especially for a game that contains branching narrative for its ending, chapter select and new game plus feel like a no brainer. I'm confused as why they are not in the game.

The game is designed for 1v1 fight, but some areas the devs for some reason throw a lot of mobs at you. The combat sadly isn't suitable and it really takes away the fun especially in later part of the game.

But overall, this is probably some of the most creative game in a hot minute. I really recommend checking this out. It's not only funny and well made, but there's a lot to be learned from it. Pretty solid price tag too, felt like a steal.

🌸 Tasha Reviews 🌸

Done With #2: Sorry We're Closed

More Reviews!~

Done With #11: Cabernet

Done With #10: WARRIORS: Abyss