Silver Nornir Review | TheXboxHub

It’s simple to be blase about one other KEMCO recreation coming to the Xbox consoles lately. See, this evaluate marks a little bit of a private landmark, the 20th KEMCO title that I’ve performed and reviewed since 2017 – a median of 4 video games a yr.  

The most recent is that of Silver Nornir, yet one more retro styled JRPG. Is it price enjoying?

In an RPG, story is king. And there may be undoubtedly a narrative happening right here, make no mistake about it. My slight reservation is that it’s a tad complicated. It focuses on a foul man, a world, and a bunch of heroes, who all work together. Chaos has apparently already destroyed the world twice, there are particular characters who’re immortal, however can nonetheless be killed in battle, and now we have to try to  cease the world from being destroyed a 3rd time by enjoying as Ein and his companions. Apart from this, you actually need to play Silver Nornir to totally perceive simply how bonkers it’s. 

With the utterly weird story a part of the entire JRPG factor nailed on, how does Silver Nornir current itself? Nicely, it’s just about like that we’ve seen earlier than from the staff at KEMCO, as that is most definitely a retro styled affair; though not fairly as retro as their earlier effort, Dragon Prana. The truth is, this time the period of the graphics seems to be from across the time of the SNES. Consequently, the sprites are fairly giant and show a variety of character. They’re designed firmly on the anime finish of the dimensions, quite than life like, and when one of many extra harmful enemies that you simply face seems to be an eight yr previous lady, it tells you all you’ll want to know. The motion is seen from the standard top-down perspective, and in the principle this viewpoint works fairly effectively. 

The sounds are additionally on the serviceable finish of the spectrum, with numerous sword swishes and spell whooshes all current and proper. A particular point out has to go to one of many feminine protagonists, who yells “Solly!” each time she assaults a baddie, and one other to Grasp Blade, who is ready to struggle completely regardless of showing to have two strips of gaffer tape over his eyes. Prepared suspension of disbelief…

However let’s check out that gameplay and to start with Silver Nornir is just about enterprise as traditional. There are a bunch of characters you management, there are numerous overblown cutscenes filled with drama to observe, after which we’re unleashed on a ready world. Now, the sport has a reasonably main flaw right away, and it’s a fairly easy one: the character motion is just too quick. It’s one thing it’s possible you’ll recognise if you’re sufficiently old to recollect Benny Hill and his upbeat music. Spending time with Silver Nornir is like making an attempt to play by means of that. The truth is, all that’s lacking is the music! Severely, making an attempt to line up your get together with a purpose to open a chest or get by means of a small hole is an train in futility. And you need to neglect making an attempt to do any of the (quite simple) puzzles that require you to comply with a sure path – it’s virtually inconceivable to get your staff the place you need them. And no, there are not any settings to allow it to be slowed down both. 

Other than the annoying motion, the remainder of Silver Nornir is as you’d count on as you wander by means of dungeons, have interaction in random fisticuffs with a wide range of foes (though not an enormous selection, principally simply totally different color palettes of foes you’ve seen earlier than) till you get to a boss. From there it’s a case of battering mentioned boss, after which shifting on to the subsequent. There isn’t even an overworld to discover this time – the one factor you are able to do from the world map is transfer to the subsequent vacation spot, however even this isn’t simple. If you wish to go to a vacation spot to the left, you need to press both up or down on the D-pad. It’s annoying to say the least. 

In any other case, the fight is identical as ever, turn-based and old skool in design. Relying on the characters that you’ve, there are totally different staff assaults that may be carried out, which does add a layer of complexity that’s most welcome. Truthfully, the precise fight is by far and away the very best a part of this recreation; attending to grips together with your staff and taking out an enormous boss is a really satisfying factor to attain. 

In conclusion then, Silver Nornir is an attention-grabbing entry into the KEMCO secure. The story is bonkers, and the fight is nice, however you’ll must stability that towards the very annoying controls and the shortage of any overworld to discover. With the pace of Benny Hill current, it’s in the end a stable entry within the style, however not one that’s going to set the world on fireplace. Maybe count on a bit mild smouldering. 

Silver Nornir is on the Xbox Retailer