Welcome to the world of 'Bastard!!', a game that dares to mix heavy metal, dark fantasy, and some questionable spellcasting all in one bizarre package. If you ever wanted to witness a magical wizard duel while offending half of the population, congratulations, this game is for you!
In 'Bastard!!', you play as Dark Schneider, a dark wizard who has apparently jumped out of a heavy metal magazine and directly into your RPG console. The gameplay consists of navigating dungeons, battling fierce opponents, and casting magic that would make most D&D players raise an eyebrow. The combat system is a blend of turn-based mechanics with real-time actions, which can feel a bit janky but gets the job done. Also, your companions—who can only be described as cast-offs from a 90s anime—provide much-needed comic relief as they either help or hinder your quest, depending on how well you manage the dialogue options. Good luck keeping your party's relationship (and sanity) intact!
Let's talk about graphics; if you hoped for Final Fantasy VII-level visuals, oh buddy, are you in for a surprise. Picture a kaleidoscope exploded all over a 90s computer screen while trying to rendering the 'Crimson Wizard of Doom' in confusing 3D. The character designs follow the manga's aesthetic quite closely, which means lots of spikey hair, dubious costumes, and shadowy figures that look like they walked right out of a heavy metal album cover. The environments? Let’s just say they feel a little 'retro'—a charming word that means we could've opened a time capsule instead.
Ultimately, 'Bastard!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy-' is a wonderfully chaotic experience that appeals to a niche audience. It is a wild rollercoaster of quirky dialogue, magical battles, and questionable protagonist decisions, all wrapped up in some nostalgia-inducing graphics and an intricate, albeit clunky, gameplay system. So, if you are an 18-year-old who has a taste for the absurd, go ahead and give it a try. Just don’t take it too seriously, or it might just give you a permanent headbang!
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