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Review of Solatorobo: Red the Hunter on Nintendo DS

by Hemal Harris Hemal Harris photo Oct 2010
Cover image of Solatorobo: Red the Hunter on DS
Gamefings Score: 8
Platform: DS DS logo
Released: 28 Oct 2010
Genre: Action Role-playing
Developer: CyberConnect2
Publisher: Namco Bandai Games

Introduction

In the vast skies of the whimsical Shepherd Republic lies a world where anthropomorphic dogs and cats reign. Welcome to *Solatorobo: Red the Hunter* - a quirky action RPG that has you playing as Red, a smooth-talking canine with a penchant for piloting mechas and thrashing bad guys. If you've ever wanted to be a dog flying through the air while solving mysteries and engaging in light-hearted brawls, then be prepared for a wild ride! But let's talk about the meat-and-potatoes of it - the challenges and skills required to truly conquer this game like the pup warrior you were born to be.

Gameplay

The gameplay revolves around Red, who pilots a mecha with the impressive ability to grab and toss enemies like a game of intergalactic dodgeball. You'll often find yourself in intense, yet oddly adorable, skirmishes where you can throw enemies into each other. Seriously, what's cuter than an enemy getting annihilated by a freshly tossed comrade? The combat system encourages combo moves and skills to upgrade your mecha, which means (insert dramatic voice-over) leveling up! Each time you smack down an enemy, congratulations! You earn those sweet, sweet experience points to help Red become a mecha gladiator. Puzzles are sprinkled throughout the game and involve a mix of brain-twisting challenges and the occasional *"Oh, come on! Why didn't I think of that?"* moments. Solving these puzzles will require you to hop into and out of your flying contraption, using skills like climbing ladders, swimming, and even immobilizing enemies with your handy stun gun. The game offers a total of 83 side quests and missions to tackle. Completing these contributes to your hunter rank, unlocking even more territory for Red to explore. What you might find challenging is the side quest system. With dozens of optional missions, many of which involve item gathering and fetching tasks (hey, Red is a dog after all), you may feel like you've stepped into a Doggo Simulation rather than a typical RPG. Fido-um, I mean, Red-has to keep himself busy while also pursuing the main storyline where he interacts with intriguing characters, including his sister Chocolat and the mysterious Elh. Just remember: solving puzzles and defeating enemies is one thing. Deciding whether to tackle a quest about gathering flowers or when to fight a giant flying monster-that's a whole other doggone conundrum!

Graphics

Let's take a moment to appreciate the graphics, which are like getting a pet from your favorite shelter: feel-good and colorful! The mixture of 2D and 3D graphics creates a visually stunning world filled with floating islands and vibrant landscapes. Environments pop with vivid colors and a steampunk-like aesthetic, which adds a layer of charm to what could otherwise be just another generic action RPG. The beautifully animated cutscenes, which are likened to mini-movie shorts featuring spectacular battles and engaging character moments, seamlessly break up the gameplay. Let me warn you, though! One moment you're ready to fight, and the next, you're swept into another enchanting cutscene! You might end up wishing for a skip button-unless you enjoy that heartwarming storytelling.

Conclusion

In conclusion, *Solatorobo: Red the Hunter* offers a delightful mix of action, humor, and the inevitable fluffiness of anthropomorphic animals. The challenge lies not just in combat but also in exploration and puzzle-solving. If you've got a craving to level up with silly side quests, throw some enemies around, and revel in a vibrant world where dogs kick ass and take names, then hop on board! This game might not set your world on fire with difficulty, but it will certainly keep your spirits high and your heart warm from beginning to end - plus, who wouldn't want to experience that kind of joy? For an 18-year-old gamer looking to sink their teeth into a game that's as challenging as it is cute, *Solatorobo* gets an 8/10. Woof!

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