God Wars: The Complete Legend
Developer: Kadokawa Games
Publisher: NIS America
Review Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: Sept. 4, 2018
Also available: PS4, PSVITA
OVERVIEW
GOD WARS: The Complete Legend is a complete version of Future Past with a lot more content and gameplay. This game is a tactical turn based RPG that explores the untold history of Japan through folklore and tactical combat.
PLOT
In a land called Mizuho there consists three nations: Fuji, Izumo, and Hyuga. The people valued their ancestral spirits, didn’t cause conflicts, and lived in harmony with nature. Then they developed cultivation technology and prioritized obtaining natural resources, metal. The people combed through the mountains for metal without a care to nature and set forth to gain more land resources through battles with other nations. The ancestral spirits were neglected and as a result the Myriad Gods were angered creating floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions all over the land of Mizuho.
The Queen of the Fuji Nation, Tsukuyomi, believed sacrificing her daughter, Sakuya a child with strong spiritual powers,
would appease the gods and prevent the destruction of the world. The sacrifice was a success.
Fearing for the next time the gods were angered Queen Tsukuyomi confined her other daughter, Kaguya, as the next sacrifice. Then suddenly Queen Tsukuyomi disappeared, and 13 years passed. The people of Fuji didn’t know what happened or where their queen went but knew Princess Kaguya was meant to be the next sacrifice should anything happened. Princess Kaguya fed up from waiting (13 years) escaped from her prison and went on a search for her mother looking for answers. And this is where the game begins…..
CHARACTERS
We start at the FUJI NATION
Kaguya: Third daughter of the Queen of Fuji, Tsukuyomi. In case the gods were angry again Kaguya was set to be the sacrifice and was confined until that day came.
Kintaro: Childhood friend of Kaguya, with his inhuman strength he helped Kaguya escape and is a member of her party during the journey through Mizuho.
Kuma: A Myriad God from Mount Fuji. He formed a strong bond with Kintaro and in a form of a bear he acts as tank in their party.
Hansaka: Another Myriad God who once served Queen Tsukuyomi
Then we travel to the other nations and gain more allies.....
IZUMO NATION
Susanoo: King of Izumo, focuses on developing the economy and technology.
Ookuninushi: Eldest son of Susanoo. He took an interest in Kaguya and decided to help her.
HYUGA NATION
Amaterasu: Queen of Hyuga, focuses on expanding her territory.
Momotaro: Eldest son of Amaterasu. Talented, full of spirit, and makes calculated decisions.
To see other characters visit https://godwarsgame.com/character/
GAMEPLAY
Battle maps feature an isometric view.
Allies are positioned in relation to the enemies on the 3D map. The player must consider height and distance when maneuvering characters. Attacks' range are limited. Attacks are more effective from the side or behind the enemy. Attacks lose power at lower ground and more power at higher ground.
**Note: Its important for the player to understand each allies' job(s) in the party because it will tremendously affect strategy.
Front Attacker
Front Defender
Mid Row
Back Row
In a turn based RPG the battle order is determined by the speed of each character. When every character has taken their actions, it counts as one turn.
When characters attack enemies or heal allies, their "impurity" increases. The higher their impurity is, the more likely they will be targeted by enemies. Players need to manage the impurity of their characters to gain an advantage in battle. For example, Kuma’s skill taunt increases his impurity causing enemies to focus on him while enemies are distracted allies are put in favorable positions to gain the upper hand.
Through jobs characters gains Skills, special abilities performed in battle that consume MP. There are over 400 skills ranging from combat to support.
Secret Skills are powerful skills that can only be unleashed by charging the Secret Skill Gauge (flower petals) during battle. Secret Skills are unlocked as the player progresses through the story.
JOBS
Each Character has access to 3 types of jobs
Main Job: Determines equippable items, stats distribution, and stat growth. Gain skills unique to this job
Warrior, physical combat
Priest, recovery support
Magician, offensive spellcasting
Sub Job: Able to use learned skills from this job
Unique Job: Able to use learned skills from this job
To advance Job Level of chosen jobs, players will need to fulfill requirements to unlock new jobs. To unlock certain jobs will require leveling up multiple jobs.
Again its important for the player to understand each allies' job(s) in the party because it will tremendously affect strategy.
Front Attacker: Warriors attack enemies and also take in damage for the team. Do not stray too far from recovery support.
Front Defender: Warriors acting as tanks. They increase their impurity and take most damage for the team. They can handle it but will still need recovery support
Mid Row: Magician dish out magic attacks and also support
Back Row: Priest or Magicians mainly help the front by healing, dispelling effects, and increasing stats
EQUIPMENT
Players will acquire equipment through loots or shops placed throughout the game.
Players should equip their characters with lots of defense and equipment that increase stats for their specific role. For example Hanasaka is a magician so players would want armor or accessories increasing stats for magic attacks.
If players are not sure what to pick the game has the shops give the option to try on before buying. From there players can try on equipment to see any difference in stats and there is a recommendation feature. The recommendation feature allows players to see what equipment is most beneficial for a specific role: front attacker, front defender, mid row, back row. This feature in the shop is very helpful.
GRAPHICS
Gameplay is in the form of 3D graphics. Players have access to a 360 view of the map and characters.
Cut scenes are beautifully made in anime like art. There is detail to the character's wardrobe and color pop. Players will temporarily forget its a game.
Characters are protagonists of Japanese folklore with a modern flare. Rulers of each nation represent the gods: Tsukuyomi - god of moon, Amaterasu - god of sun, and Susanoo - god of storm. Each rulers' wardrobe is detailed to the god they represent. Kintaro is from the legend of a child with superhuman strength. Okuninushi represents the folklore of a minor god and later on became ruler of Izumo. Momotaro is from the story Peach Boy and like in the story Momotaro's allies are humanoid beasts of a dog, monkey, and pheasant.
The transition between 3D graphics to detailed art is like seeing fanart coming to life because fans use their imagination to draw a more realistic version of their favorite characters making them more realistic. The developers did a fantastic job in doing that for the public.
AUDIO
Music brings players back in time. There is an upbeat melody that seems to be from a koto (string instrument) matching perfectly with the game's setting in folklore Japan. The wood and brass instruments give off the feel of marching off to war and conquering all foes who stand in the way. No mercy. No quitting. Fight to the end!
MY THOUGHTS...
The game is very eye catching and cut scenes are beaufifully drawn. For someone like me who loves watching anime this feature sucks me in. When I first started playing God Wars it felt a bit slow. Then I started leveling up, gained skills, and got stronger. The multiple jobs felt a bit too much, but once I realized how useful it was to use skills outside of the main job I appreciated the sub jobs more.
At one point of the game I kept dying because there was a strong enemy that kept one-hit-killing my characters. Ugh, he picked up a rock and threw it at Hansaka, instant death. It was so frustrating. And the reason I kept dying was because I didn't keep in mind each characters' role in the party. I would put my magicians and priest at the front because they had powerful magic attacks. That was a no no. The strong enemy killed them off instantly. Then I equipped them with better armor, instant death.
Finally I paid attention to the four roles: front attacker, front defender, mid row, and back row. By moving the party as one I was able to progress. I had Kuma taunt whenever he could to raise his impurity. I didn't want any of my back row character taking hits. Then I had Kaguya dispelling effects and Hansaka healing Kuma repeatedly so he could take more hits. This strategy took a while BUT I cleared the stage. Victory was so sweet!!!
By having the party moving together there was no dull moment, there was always something one of my characters had to do in order to move forward. After I cleared the next stage I encountered another shop and upgraded all of my characters equipment. I didn't care I was going broke, no more one-shot-kills for my people!!!
For more info visit....
God Wars Official website
https://godwarsgame.com/