Jul 2021
Time travel sounds great until you realize you have to deal with consequences—like accidentally ruining your favorite character's life or worse, your favorite pizza topping! Welcome to the whimsical world of Cris Tales, a turn-based RPG that doesn’t just let you mess with time, it encourages it! But before you rush in, get ready to put your thinking cap on because this game isn’t just about pretty graphics and quirky characters. Nope, it involves some serious strategic skills and brainpower to unravel its unique challenges.
Cris Tales rolls out its time-bending mechanic with the grace of a kindergarten teacher introducing finger painting: cautiously, yet with enthusiasm. The game's combat system uses a split-screen format showing three timelines—past, present, and future. Imagine trying to sort out your life decisions while battle-hardened goons are trying to take you out! Each of your characters has special abilities that interact with these timelines. For instance, hurling an enemy back into the past allows you to set up effects like poison that explode in the future. Timing commands like attack sequences adds a rhythm game element, keeping players on their toes and making combat a dance-off of tactical woes. Beyond the battles, Cris Tales invites you to explorar, solve puzzles, and make impactful decisions that can lead to a variety of endings. Depending on whom you help or ignore in your journey, expect to see your world marred by consequences or blessed with beauty. So basically, it’s in your hands to turn things around—literally! It’s like owning a time machine, but without the messy DeLorean issues and crazy old guys trying to steal your flux capacitor. What really cranks up the challenge in Cris Tales is its Colosseum mode, a post-launch addition that lets you test your skills against relentless waves of baddies. Think of it as physical education class—except this time, the only thing at stake is your pride, and the only dodgeball being tossed is your ego against brutal failure. If you think simply beating the main campaign is enough, think again. Mastering each character, learning their combos, effectively managing resources, and strategizing around enemy weaknesses are essential. That small enemy you dismissed earlier might become a nightmare if you’re not paying attention. The combat doesn't just test your reflexes but your sanity levels, because nothing tests a player's patience more than a surprise ambush by goblins late in the game that just want your life essence...or something like that.
On the visual front, Cris Tales is like a love letter from a child to their favorite animated show—bright, colorful, and filled with delightful designs that pop. It takes clear inspiration from the likes of Persona and even Paper Mario, giving it a distinctly charming aesthetic. The hand-drawn graphics and fusion of Colombian culture offer a visually enchanting experience. Every scene is vibrant, inviting you into a beautiful world that looks like it came straight from a storybook. But remember, do not judge a game solely by its cover. Just because it looks whimsical doesn’t mean it won’t toss a massive, metaphorical anvil your way as you make a spike trap in combat. Beware of the deceptively charming vibes!
Cris Tales is a delightful yet deceptively complex RPG that combines a charming visual style with a compelling time-manipulation mechanic. If you fancy puzzles and strategy bathed in times of nostalgia (and maybe a few bouts of frustration), this game is for you. Just take it slow, plan your moves, and don’t forget: every action has a consequence, which means one wrong move could send you tumbling down the rabbit hole of dragon-sized regret. In short, if you're an RPG lover who's tired of predictable turn-based combat or you need an excuse to channel your inner time lord, grab your PS4 and let Cris Tales whisk you away on a colorful adventure filled with strategic challenges. Whether you choose to help your companions succeed or play the role of the occasional nefarious time-traveler, just remember: time waits for no one, and it certainly won't wait for you to figure out your next move!
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