Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Great Curry God (PS VITA)

In the world of gaming you'll find plenty of copycat ideas, and blatant rip-offs. Most of the gameplay mechanics that are copied, and combined with these new game creations end up making for a complete mess. In other instances the mixture of old gameplay features, and new plot material works in the developer's favor. In the case of Compile Heart's "Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Great Curry God" the mixture works out quite nicely for the most part. It contains some LOL humor mixed with memorable characters, and a lighthearted story that is entirely unique to it. On top of the new also comes some features that definitely seem inspired by previously released PS3, and PS VITA RPGs. Among the inspired tidbits you'll find dungeon crawling turn based mechanics very similar to that of NISA's "The Guided Fate Paradox". There's also hint's of other NISA RPGs thrown into the mix such as that of the "Atelier" series. While I could pick at the game all day for containing such content the fact remains that I think Aksys Games, and Compile Heart came out smelling like roses with this JRPG release.

In "Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Great Curry God" you will find a small selection of tightly knit characters whose roles in the story intertwine, and intersect on several different occasions. Pupuru, and her wacky assortment of acquaintances are all in essence seeking the same thing, and that thing just so happens to be a legendary curry recipe created by the Curry God himself. Initially when the game begins we find Pupuru daydreaming in the middle of one of her most important exams. After being awakened by her busty teacher Ms. Saffron she pulls off a test related miracle that lands her the role as the student body representative, and in turn it ends up landing her smack dab in the middle of a predicament that defines the gameplay scenario that follows. In short Pupuru gets blamed, and suspended from the magic academy for her inability to complete a required quest. It is after this rather unfortunate event that she, and her newly found friends Kuu (A perverted pokemon-like creature with a lust for busty girls), and Puni (An indecisive young lady with an unnatural ability to sense curry auras) set off to find the ingredients to the ultimate curry recipe in order to save Pupuru's favorite curry restaurant, "Smile Curry".

Through a book's worth of onscreen dialogue, and a magical manga-like collection of visually hilarious hijinks the plot of "Sorcery Saga", and the gameplay details contained therein are revealed to you in a very fun loving manner. As you begin to play through the first parts of the game you will be reading through plenty of onscreen subtitles, and watching the anime style chibi versions of the main characters as they discuss the current goings on of the story. This of course also happens between, and before the actual gameplay oriented RPG portions of the game. As such the game is essentially divided up into three parts. One part deals with dialogue advancement, another part deals with menu management, and the third part actually deals with traversing the dungeon-like areas, collecting the goods therein, and fighting off any baddies that happen across your path.

Like any JRPG you'll find a collection of complimentary information contained within the menu systems of "Sorcery Saga" along with the core style of gameplay associated with such an adventure. If you choose to access the wealth of knowledge known as the "Library" (via the town menu) you'll be able to gain proper insight on all of the features of the game as well as unlock some special items that will come in handy as you continue to play. Within the library you'll find a "Monsters" guide listing all of the creatures you have encountered, a "Characters" guide listing the small collection of main characters that are shown in the game, an "Items" guide which lists all the items you have collected on your outings, a "Help" section for those who need a reference on gameplay features, a "Chara" mini-theater in which characters act out a theatrical performance based on a special item that you have gathered, and a "Seal" list that includes all of the possible seal/bonus effects associated with combined equipment. In the case of the "Chara" theater you'll find that once the play has ended you will be gifted a special item that will help you in a variety of different ways. I should also mention that your "stats" are also recorded, and collected within the "Library". Everything from your kills to the money you've collected, and even the amount of time you've played is contained within this "tell all" application.

As far as the actual gameplay goes you'll find that in between, and after certain character based dialogue events you'll taking Pupuru (via the world map) to dungeon-like areas where you'll search for, and collect the necessary ingredients for the "Legendary Curry". Fret not though as Pupuru will not be traveling alone on this epic journey. By her side is her faithful new creature companion "Kuu (named so because of the sound he makes)" who in turn acts as a source of special functions, and as an assistant in fights against monsters. In a method very similar to NISA's "The Guided Fate Paradox" You (Pupuru), and Kuu will take turn-based steps throughout the semi-overhead maze-like dungeon areas as you search for ingredients, and equipment for combat and defense. Every step, and action definitely counts, and in more ways than one. For example you'll find that as you move monsters in the same dungeon will advance towards you, and Kuu equal to the amount of steps that you take. As such deciding which path to take, and when to confront the monsters is the key to survival, or perhaps even death assuming you choose poorly.

Just as every step counts, so does every action. Whether you're attacking (X), using equipped spells (L Bumper), or utilizing the item menu (TRIANGLE) you'll find that your actions, or lack thereof will result accordingly. In the instance of a monster fight you'll find that the battle is more, or less a slapping contest. Both you (Pupuru), and the opposing monster will take turns about striking each other until one of you dies off. If there are a line of monsters waiting their turn to confront you it will make the situation all the more dire. The only good point to battle is that if you can access the (TRIANGLE) menu in time you'll be able to use a gathered potion, or healing item to refill the lost HP. You factor in that, and your ability to regain health/HP as you walk, and the situation doesn't seem all that bad. Keep in mind though that as with "The Guided Fate Paradox" every time you return to town your current level will be reduced back to zero, leaving you to start anew as you journey through the next dungeon area. The real kicker lies with the fact that if you don't make it out of a dungeon alive all of your gathered items, and money will be forfeit leaving you with only bare knuckles to duke it out on your next dungeon outing.

When it comes to Kuu he is more, or less a one stop source for assistance so long as you keep him fed. By fed I mean tossing any item that you have in your inventory in his direction. All you need to do is bring up the (TRIANGLE) menu, select the desired item from your inventory, and choose the "Throw" option. Be sure you are facing his way though otherwise you'll find yourself tossing the goods all over the dungeon floor. As far as the acceptable items go they can includ unneeded weapons, ingredients, or even shields. By feeding him regularly you'll find that not only is Kuu's health level maintained, but that he also levels up improving his stats (Def, Mag, ATK ...), and in the process gains useful skills that can be helpful to Pupuru and Kuu as well. Some skills such as the one that allows for the combining of items will help you improve upon Pupuru's currently equipped weapon, and shield. In a sense Kuu is a lot like a mixture of a Pokemon, and Kirby. Be cautious not to anger this cute, and cuddly boob loving creature by not feeding him properly though as he will retaliate by crying out to the nearby monsters to attack your sorry !@#$%.

The more you progress in the game the more new features will be made available to you. For example, at one point after you've collected the first ingredient for Nicholi's Legendary Curry recipe you'll find that you can create curry on the go via the (TRIANGLE) menu. This stat boosting item is really useful in dungeon scenarios. If you craft the curry correctly (Ingredient, Rice, Spice) you'll have an edible item that will continually boost your stats as you go through the several levels of the current dungeon you are currently in. There is a catch though. If you cook up a curry recipe on a floor/level, and do not use it before you exit that floor it will become a cursed curry, and will negatively affect your stats. Keep in mind that revisiting Nicholi's "Smile Curry" shop via the town menu with newly collected ingredients will allow him to make more curry recipes for you, and will in turn help you to make some noteworthy stat boosting concoctions.

Other features that will appear as you continue your journey for the "Legendary Curry" ingredients include, but are not limited to new shops, a blacksmith venue at your home base/room via the paid aid of one of Kuu's relatives, and even a special "Restore Tower" dungeon where you can go, and collect items before heading off to your next dungeon destination. I highly suggest you use the "Restore Tower", especially if you have died during one of your previous outings, otherwise you'll start off empty handed. Seeing as the 'Restore Tower" is randomly generated with lower level monsters you'll get the chance to find a variety of different items, and equipment for use on your outings. For those of you who are really worried about loosing your best items the game does offer two methods for saving your progress. If you make it back to town intact you can save your progress via the (TRIANGLE) menu. Aside from that option you also have the choice to use a "Temp Save" within a dungeon. These temporary save files are exactly as they sound. They will let you continue from a saved point in a dungeon with your items intact, but the file itself will be erased immediately after it is activated. Saving frequently is a must in this JRPG.

One thing I need to mention before I get to my conclusion is that items come in a vast assortment. Certain ones are a mystery until equipped, or appraised using a specific scroll item. Among these more rare finds you'll find weapons classified as "Old?", "Kings?", "Legendary?", and even "Pointy?". Collectively there rarity is based on their base name, and the fact that it is followed by a question mark. Should you equip it, or reveal it's identity with the proper scroll item you'll be able to find out it's stats (ATK, DEF, MAG ...) along with it's proper name. Some of these "Rare" equipment items will come with added boosts (+1, -1) adding to their base stats. Keep in mind though that all of these rare items which can be found in treasure chests, barrels, or even laying out in the open are randomly generated. You'll have no clue as to what you have until you actually check it out properly.

One more thing. As your travel throughout the labyrinth inspired dungeons of "Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Great Curry God" you'll happen across a variety of different treasure chests, barrels, and items. The treasure chests which come in small red versions, and large silver versions will hold either an item, or a trap. The barrels on the other hand come in two versions as well, but it is only the larger barrels that sometimes contain an item. As far as random items lying around go you will find such things scattered about the floors of particular dungeon areas. Items include everything from weapons, shields, scrolls, money bags, ingredients, spices, rice, special "Chara" theater items that cannot be lost once gained, and even spell books that can be used to unlock limited skills/spells for use in a dungeon scenario. One important thing to always keep in mind is that your inventory can only contain a certain amount of items, so feeding Kuu what you don't need is very important, especially if you come across a special item that you really want later on. You'll also want to utilize the piggy bank money storage item in the town "Room" menu. Once you die, you lose everything. I almost forgot to mention that.

Now on to the verdict ...

Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Great Curry God is more, or less a collaboration of different RPG/JRPG features. It's story which is accented by the often times hilarious, and perverted humor of the main characters is also complimented by a well designed gameplay system that utilizes the best that the JRPG genre has had to offer over the years. While some would call it a copycat experience it is innovative enough to stand alone as it's own unique game. The characters involved in the plot are adorable, perverted, and mostly understandable in an anime sense of the word. They are the kind of characters that a lot of anime, and manga fans will find a connection with, and will not forget even after they've beaten the game. I for one could relate to Kuu, and his love for the busty ladies. I could even relate to his sarcastic nature towards certain other characters. I think there's definitely someone here for everyone to connect with in that respect.

As far as the graphic, and audio presentation goes this dialogue, and anime heavy experience was a pleasantly presented one. I loved the chibi anime art style that was applied, I love the soundtrack that often times surprised me with it's exciting vocals at the more intense parts of the dungeon areas, and I loved the gameplay. In retrospect everything about the game complimented itself in a most positive manner. The downside, if there were any was the fact that the turn based battles felt more like a bitch slapping contest than a proper turn-based event. I do understand they were going for that "The Guided Fate Paradox" feel, but the game would have honestly been worlds better if they would have taken the "Legend of Zelda" approach instead. With that being said though I still love the heck out of this game.

When it comes down to recommendations I think "Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Great Curry God" is a "Must Have!!!" for all PS Vita owners. It is currently a sleeper hit, but I can guarantee you'll walk a way with a proper smile, and laugh if your dare to invest your time, and money into this JRPG. There's not a dull moment to be found despite it's dialogue heavy nature. If you have the cash to get this noteworthy mobile JRPG adventure then I'd highly suggest you do so! If not you can always ask your loved ones, or Santa Clause to get it for you on Christmas. There's still time to do both!!!