99 Spirits

note that this one isn't a full review. because i dropped the game mid-way. but i think i played enough to write about it.

99 Spirits (PC)

- i won't review the story, because it might have some awesome twists i haven't got to.

Setting and characters: (1.5/3)
feudal japan. a city is under constant attack of Onii spirit-things.
you, a swordswomen in training, end up reacquiring a magical sword made by your parents then lost. that sword is the only way to the spirits by forcing them to manifest.
how? by using it you get hints about the true nature of the spirit, and then by calling it name (actually typing it). this makes them show up and, by that, become vulnerable to some bashing.

the characters aren't very original. overuse of archetypes.

Combat: (4.5/5)
the best part of the game. you fight in RPG like battle system, but with some real time elements (that is, you block and counter attacks in real time).
you need to gather hints about the enemy to call its name. a.k.a  the name of the item he was before becoming a spirit.
it can be thing like katana or a bucket or pair of socks.
you might think it will become frustrating quickly because you'ed keep missing "the exact words" the dev used. fortunately  the hints you gather were made in a very intelligent way making the whole system tick.
latter you can also capture the spirits and use their abilities in combat in pokemon-ish kind of way.


Other Gameplay: (1/5)
severely lacking.
you travel on a square grid with enemies, items and events marked on it.
all areas in the game are basically a grid. the only difference between a city and a hunted castle is.. well no difference at all! that's the ****ing problem.
ok, ok.. different background pictures.. not nearly enough.
the items are boring and the leveling-up system is boring as well.

Graphic: 0.5/2
regular unimpressive 2D style. nothing new. the spirites are nice. half a point for that.

some pics:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=126670991

bottom line 6/10, polarization -3.
the combat system is new and unique. something you you never heard of before.
well now you have... so it's safe to skip the game.
if only the other aspects weren't so monotone and cliche.. it could have been good.
but they aren't, and it isn't.

do try again guys, i want to see your next game.