Preceded by a bombastic anime trailer, Crystar takes you on a gut-wrenching journey via the afterlife. You play as a teenage lady known as Rei who’s summoned, alongside together with her little sister, into Purgatory. There, your sister is killed, however two demons who watch over Purgatory give you a deal: They’ll show you how to revive your sister in the event you acquire crystals known as Thought for them.
Even for a recreation that overtly has demise as a central theme, Crystar hits its emotional notes arduous from the very starting. As you discover the primary space, you meet a lot of butterflies, which signify the flickering embers of human souls. As you go them, you hear the final issues they mentioned earlier than they died. For some, demise is a launch from ache. Others are scared. Others giggle maniacally. It explores the complete spectrum of demise in a couple of easy moments and units the tone for in the end a really darkish recreation.
Purgatory is populated by Revenants and Spectres, creatures you must combat. It’s only after you’ve acquired via the primary sprawling map that you just be taught that these beings are corrupted souls that didn’t make it via Purgatory. Once you defeat them, you take up their ache. Once you attain the top of every stage, you must cry to launch that ache and your tears change into the crystals you have to acquire. You’ll be able to take consolation by petting your large fluffy canine, although.
The entire recreation is gorgeously designed. The anime artwork type lends itself properly to the fast-paced motion. The world is strewn with lovely crumbling buildings that float in a twinkling sky. Monsters and heroes alike are geared up with very cool weapons and armour. That is all complemented by a stunning soundtrack.
The gameplay is comparatively easy. You journey via the degrees of Purgatory defeating the monsters that populate every map. The directions are clear and the controls aren’t sophisticated, so it’s simple to get the cling of easy methods to combat.
On the finish of every stage, there may be often a cutscene of some form that explores how the demons are toying with you specifically and human souls typically. Typically this introduces new parts of the sport, akin to new strikes and spells. After a couple of maps, you’ll attain a boss that gives you a more durable problem and an opportunity to return to your world to purify.
As Crystar progresses, you purchase allies with completely different expertise and battle types. You’ll be able to swap out Rei to play as the opposite characters to diversify the gameplay. These add new layers to the narrative in relation to how a lot you’ll be able to belief them. In the end this results in more and more convoluted plotlines that leap between alternate universes.
By the ultimate chapters of the sport, there’s quite a bit to maintain monitor of, however it may be a enjoyable rollercoaster in the event you’re dedicated to paying consideration.
