Mary Skelter: Nightmares (PS VITA)

IFI (Idea Factory International) is mostly known for their lighthearted action JRPG adventures like that of the Neptunia series. Games which are adorned with a delightful bunch of bubbly female protagonists fighting against villainous threats within their world, the Game Inudstri. For whatever reason that base formula, and series was dropped briefly for something much darker, and more mature, but oddly very fun to play through. This bloody tale that features dual protagonists in the form of Jack, and Alice begins on a horrific note with them being subjected to torture in a living tower known as the "Jail" which is located where a forgotten vanished Japanese city once stood. Run by demonic Marchens, and plagued by devilish Nightmares the once free inhabitants of the now gone Japanese district plan an escape that may never come. Luckily for Jack, and Alice though their roles are crucial to the opposing DAWN organizations escape efforts, and as a Blood Maiden herself Alice must tag along with DAWN's recruits through the dungeon-like Jail if she ever hopes to free her and her beloved Jack from their torment.

Gameplay in "Mary Skelter: Nightmares" is an interestingly unique mash-up of oldschool dungeon-crawling mechanics, and new mechanics based on a blood splatter system. In the Prologue chapter of the story it is disclosed by Red Riding Hood, one of DAWN's assistants, that Alice is a Blood Maiden like her. A girl with a supernatural gift affected, and triggered by Marchen blood. Through this unholy power Alice, and the other Blood Maidens are able to uses special skills to their advantage in fights against the Marchen, and the more threatening Nightmares which must be escaped from rather than fought. All at a cost to their sanity via a Skelter corruption. Jack who also plays a crucial role as Alice's childhood friend, and her unlikely savior through macabre means is what keeps Alice and the other Blood Maidens from succumbing to their corrupted Skelter state. By coming in contact with Jack's blood Alice is ultimately able to snap herself out of the Skelter state as are the other Blood Maidens.

The blood splatter mechanics which tie into the whole Blood Maiden mythos comes into play as you encounter Marchen, and Nightmares in your dungeon-crawling outings. In your party you'll have Jack, Alice, and other Blood Maidens as you meet up with them via the story, and battle encounters, therein. It is the Blood Maidens like Alice who have a special blood splatter meter which fills up as they deal overkill damage to the Marchen enemies. Once the meter fills up part way you'll have a couple of options past the basic Blood Maiden actions (Attack, Skill, Defend, Escape). These additional blood splatter perks include a "Massacre Mode" which will cause the Blood Maidens to transform in a frenzied state for a limited time, and deal extra damage as well as a "Blood Soul Skill" which happens when you choose the "Lick" option. Choosing "Lick" will sometimes heal, cure, and boost Blood Maiden's performance. It is said in the game's tutorial that your choices between the two blood splatter functions will mean the difference between success, and failure.

When it comes to Jack's role in the fight his options are limited. His optional actions in the agility ranked turn-based battles includes the ability to 'Wait', 'Guard', 'Item'. or 'Escape'. Thus making him into a support, and defense character for the Blood Maidens. If you happen to use the 'Guard' action too often, and Jack get's KO'd too much he will be out of commission for at least a few turns if not more. Outside of the base roles of Jack and the Blood Maidens, the latter crew also has the ability to change jobs or classes, and in doing so the ability to equip different equipment, and weapons. There a total of 18 different job specific weapon types in Mary Skelter including the usual tools like that of the sword, sickle, and club as well as a more unusual option like that of playing cards among other things. One thing to note is that the Blood Maidens each harbor a name of a fairytale character. Alice referring to Alice of 'Alice in Wonderland", and Red Riding Hood of her respective fable. So forth, and so on ...

The dungeon outings which will be the main focus of the game outside of the story elements can be taken on from the DAWN HQ once you've gotten past the prologue chapter of the tale being told. At the DAWN HQ you'll find various services, and rooms pertaining to key characters. Some being the Blood Maidens, and others being the resident staff as well as Jack. You'll find a Blood Weapon Craftsman who can increase the power of your characters' gear up to 9 times via blood crystals. Blood crystals which are acquired through battle. You'll also find a shop where you can purchase items, and gear needed for your dungeon outings using the gold you also acquire from fought battles. There's even a medical wing, and Blood Maiden's rooms. Speaking of Blood Maidens' rooms they tie-in with the affection system in which Jack can increase affection with them by gifting them surprise gifts. These surprise gifts include items, and room decorations which can either positively or negatively effect the relationships depending on what they are. Also to note is the fact that said relationship courting will effect the ending that you get, and will trigger special events before the end comes.

In regards to Jack's room it is the storage, and information hub of the game. In it you'll find an option to access the equipment storage, an option to browse the tutorials, and an option to look at other out of game references like the Marchen enemy bestiary which showcases enemy attributes as well as other helpful hints coinciding with said creatures. One thing I forgot to mention is that the Marchen are weak to specific elements. Elements which are presented in a cyclic wheel diagram that shows both weaknesses, and strengths to certain elemental based skills. As you level up your Blood Maidens through won battles you'll earn CP points which can in turn be used to unlock new skills, or upgrade skills you already have. Knowing the weakness of the enemy in relation to these skills will help you better finish a battle, and move forward through the dungeon more efficiently.

Aside from the previously mentioned blood splatter meter you'll also have to mind your HP (Health Points), and SP (Skill Points). Health points are self-explanatory while skill points are a little less so. Skill points, in particular are used to cast Blood Maiden skills, and with each skill there is a set SP point requirement. Of course with the right items you can refill SP meter. Items as they were also help rid your party of various stat afflictions which can be taken on through the dungeon battles.

Dungeons in the game play a huge role in encountering story forwarding plot points, and characters of interest. The dungeon layout in the "Jail", as it were, is the usual squared off first-person 3D environment filled with gated areas, traps, hazards, and random enemy battles. The dungeons themselves being encased labyrinthine areas which are navigated via a two different onscreen maps that each showcase different points of interest in different ways. Maps which also give way to an automated travel function that can be set to automatically guide your party from place to place instead of having to use the DPad directional cross to move about. Other dungeon things like blood splatter effects that ward off the darkness after a battle during a Nightmare induced "Murder Chase" event also come into play. When you encounter the current Dungeon's Nightmare boss creature in the "Murder Chase" event you'll have to escape, or fight your way to safety if caught by the Nightmare. This requires getting a good enough lead to escape, or using the special Marchen battles to splatter the dungeon with blood in order to ward off the Nightmare via it's light effect. The Nightmares, in particular aren't an enemy you can defeat outright as they respawn, and if you get caught by them your only way out is to damage their body parts enough to make an escape. Nightmares won't stop unless you make an escape in the dungeon, or until your entire party is dead.

Gimmicks, as the game refers to them, are environmental toggles/features which will help in your exploration. Things like switches, and traps are among them. Using gimmicks is not the only thing you'll be doing though. You'll also be looting treasure chests for gear and items, gathering memos which open up the lore and provide hints, and even minding the markers for additional in-game opportunities.

The Presentation ...

Visually, "Mary Skelter: Nightmares" is a spectacle to behold. From the animated anime characters to the labyrinthine dungeon environments everything is gorgeously complimentary. Everything fits the mature theme, and reflects the pseudo-fable lore that is going on within the plot. Even the enemy avatars in battle are impressively rendered in a 3D format that forgoes the usual panel style art that some oldschool dungeon-crawlers go for. It is a beautiful game to look at, and equally as attractive in regards to the eerie, and often times haunting soundtrack.

The Verdict ...

As a fan of more mature anime I was greatly impressed with the backstory of "Mary Skelter: Nightmare". The characters, their plight, and and the lore all are unique enough to interest even the most hardened anime fan. A fan tired of old anime cliches. Not only that but the blood based mechanics, and the creature battles really spice things up. I personally loved the cast of characters, especially Jack and Alice. I also loved the gift based affection feature which allowed you, as Jack to dote upon your favorite Blood Maiden ultimately changing the end game scenario. It adds replay value, and in a way that would not put off people who have played through the story once before from playing through again. The added fact that there's a secret mode for those who finish the game extends gameplay even further. Hoping that you didn't ditch your PS Vita I highly recommend this as a purchase! It gets the Inferno's resounding favor, and prestigious seal of approval! Dante says, "Don't Miss Out!!!".