RemiLore: Lost Girl in the Lands of Lore (PS4)

I like Nicalis games. I like that they are their own unique thing. I like that the art style varies from most indie developers' creations, and I like more than anything that Nicalis is brave enough to mix things up with different genres. In the case of RemiLore this holds ever more true. Complete with a cutesy Japanese anime flair, likeable characters, a simple yet engaging story, and fun combat this hack-n-slash combo centered misadventure is one that will no doubt earn the attention of those willing to take a chance, and try it out.

The game itself features three main modes of play including a single player story mode, and two other modes without story elements included. The latter two modes being a single player playthrough, and a co-op experience in which the joining player gets to play an alternate character alongside Remi, and the Grand Grimoire that is Lore. At the heart of the tale you'll find a school girl named Remi who, by happening upon Lore at her school's library, is swept away into a magical world not her own. That world being Ragnoah. To get back home she must work with Lore, who happens to be a magical book who hails from said world. Together their end goal is to clear out all the mechanical monstrosities with Remi's melee weapons while utilizing extra abilities afforded to her through Lore. Thus opening up a portal back to Remi's world. The acts included in the journey are a series of graded room clearing events where time, damage output, and combos will score you an alphabetical grade with 'E' being the worst, and 'S' being the best. Kind of like with 'Devil May Cry'. Along with that Remi, and her couch co-op companion played by another joining player via local connection will be looting each area for sweet snacks which happen to be currency in the world they are in. Currency which can be spent on new randomly generated weapons or health potions at key intersections between point 'A', and point 'B'. As well as in the abilities upgrade menu which I'll explain away a little later on.

Act playthroughs which play out in numerically sectional acts (i.e, 1-1) will have you clearing up to five or more rooms that are only accessible after enemies are cleared of their mechanical minions in the previous room. Rooms which will have you earning new weapons via drops and end room treasure chests according to grade before reaching a final yellow portal to the next part of the act. At the end of a full act (i.e., 1-1 to 1-4) Remi and Lore will face off against a boss completing that part of the story arch. Ultimately moving on to the next act in line. An act which will carry it's own unique dessert containing furniture, enemies, and environmental theme.

In regards to the collectibles you'll gather as you fight off the fantastical foes in your way the sweets or desserts which are dropped from downed enemies and destructible furniture can be spent to upgrade Remi and her friend's melee effectiveness, potion effectiveness, and magical power among other things pertaining to the game's character/weapon/gauge mechanics. After completing four to five rooms, and getting a grade for each you will ultimately reach a final yellow portal within each given act where your grades will be collectively tallied rewarding you with up to four treasure boxes that can be broken to reveal up to four random weapons that you can swap between.

Each weapon, aside from being physically different, and class based (single-handed, hammers ...) comes with a different letter grade as well as damage stats and additional effect attributes that will pop-up onscreen when stood over for comparison sake. The weapons in the game each come paired with their own Lore magical attack which can be used when you have enough blue meter to do so. The blue meter is filled up with blue potions whereas health or HP can only be refilled through the collection of red potions. In addition to the weapon combat option Remi, and her accompanying co-op friend also have a three bar meter for a dash that will help them clear ditches, and avoid enemy attacks. Pressing the dash button quickly will exhaust one bar while holding it down will exhaust all three bars. The dash bar fills back up when it's not being used.

In total Remi, and company each have three tools to utilize when completing each act, and the sub-sections of enemies therein. These tools, as previously disclosed, include the melee weapon attacks which can be combo'd into using "TRIANGLE" for slash attacks, and "CIRCLE" for horizontal slash attacks. That and the attached magic attacks as well as the previously mentioned dash (X). Each of which are explained away in a hands-on tutorial that can be accessed via the main menu, and should be played through before starting the game. It should be noted as well that by pressing "OPTIONS" on your controller you will gain access to a pause menu that includes a weapons breakdown menu which showcases the weapons you've collected as well as a combo guide for reference sake, and a playthrough records stat listing. It's also in this menu that you can upgrade Remi's base abilities (Melee, Potions, Lore Magic), and save your progress.

Back at the main menu you will find collected together the main story mode, an additional single player mode without story events, and a co-op mode without story elements. In the way of story elements things don't go all out with major cutscenes, or lots of text to read, but instead are shown in conversational pop-up windows with character art included along with Japanese spoken voice overs for each character as you make progress. While the more conversational text bubble pop-ups are easy to miss in the heat of combat most of the conversation is spent revisiting the main point of the game, or character insight. Stuff that is rehashed over, and over again. When it comes to major plot points those usually take place at the beginning of an act, at a boss battle, or during key treasure room moments. While you can skip the conversations via a button press, and fast forwarding it is a good idea to read through it all to understand what it is you are fighting for. Alongside all those main menu, and mode features you'll also find the tutorial mode listing, and a settings menu with basic volume, language, and vibration options included. That and an option to change character costumes within the main mode's menus.

The Verdict ...

As an experience RemiLore isn't too deeply involved. Though it does have a basic point in the guise of a story driven objective it is mostly meant to be a fun little adventure with friends. One where you can perfect your playthroughs by utilizing the games combo, damage, and time based grading system. It's nothing too hard, but you will encounter boss-like creatures along the way as well as lesser mechanical menaces as you choose optional paths, and loot your way to the final finish portal. It's smooth fun with quirky characters that are quite likable. Each in their own right. Overall the game is beautifully rendered with fast and frenetic gameplay done up in a hack-n-slash way in a semi-top down kind of view. Not hindered by online connectivity issues. Whether you play it alone or with a friend it is a game worth getting if you like your anime inspired action/adventure indies lighthearted, and zen in nature. Here at the Gaming Inferno we give it an 'S' grade, and recommend it to anyone looking for something fun outside of the Triple A monopoly. Something that can be enjoyed with a friend, locally.