Shieldmaiden: Remix Version Overview | TheXboxHub

Whereas performing some analysis for my overview of Shieldmaiden: Remix Version from Dumativa Sport Studio, I found that present pondering is that Shieldmaidens, warriors from the Viking tradition, did truly exist in any case. Consider me, it’s all very fascinating, and will have led me down various Wikipedia rabbit holes. 

It doesn’t nevertheless inform us something in regards to the recreation which is up for consideration, no less than not past the truth that the heroine has a defend. I’m not going to invest on whether or not she is a maiden!

However let’s go to the longer term, to a destroyed world no much less – why is the longer term by no means good, with free lollipops and stuff?

Trying on the presentation of Shieldmaiden: Remix Version first, and a dreaded phrase is making its approach in direction of my fingertips once more – this can be a retro-styled platformer. Now, despite the fact that I’m vulnerable to carrying out these specific keys on my keyboard, what Shieldmaiden brings is a brand new really feel to the style, as though it’s completed in a pixel artwork type, it additionally has a form of neon Cyberpunk-fuelled vibe to the sport. The motion is considered from a side-on perspective and whereas the tip of the world has been grim, there may be nonetheless a robotic canine to pat, so I’m fairly blissful. 

The graphics on provide are fairly good, with an actual cool vibe happening, helped by the synthwave soundtrack that matches in with the motion completely. The hero is properly animated, the robots are a diversified bunch, and the bosses are good examples of retro recreation design. I’ve been mighty impressed by the sound too, apart from one factor – the narrative is offered in textual content containers however the heroine, Asta, or the individuals she is speaking to, will generally make sounds, like fun or so on. While you skip the textual content scenes, Asta can find yourself sounding like Beavis and Butthead – “Huh, huh, huh,” over and over. I don’t must inform you how annoying that may get. Apart from that, the Tron-like world seems and sounds good. 

For a lot of it’ll be the story of a recreation that’s all the time essential, and fortuitously Shieldmaiden has one. 

Asta, the heroine we play as, has a sister who was misplaced when the world ended. Fortunately, she additionally has a pleasant AI that may monitor traces of her sister by way of the assorted worlds, and so the scene is ready for Asta to go on an epic journey to try to discover the one household she has left. In the best way are a bunch of haywire robots, some difficult platforming sections and some bosses, and all she has to assist her is a trusty defend that magically seems from a bracelet that her sister gave her. Are you able to make it by way of the imply streets of Modigard to search out your sister, or will you be stomped flat by a giant robotic? It’s in your arms!

Now, it could possibly be stated that the easiest video games from this style come have two strings to their bows – the fight part, be that in opposition to small foes or larger bosses; and the exploration and traversal a part of the sport. We are going to begin off with the best way that Asta will get round, as this isn’t with out its issues. In fact, the fight isn’t good both, however one factor at a time. 

The best way Asta will get round is fairly commonplace fare, to be sincere. She will be able to soar, and in the event you press the button for longer, she jumps greater. She additionally has a splash transfer that she will be able to use within the air, so clearing massive gaps is a breeze. Additional is a helpful line in wall leaping, and it’s right here that the controls are a bit, properly, odd. For the sections the place Asta has to leap up between two vertical partitions, it really works okay, however there are sections the place there is only one barely too excessive wall in the best way. It’s left to Asta to leap as excessive as she will be able to, bounce off the wall, after which sprint again the opposite method to land on prime of the impediment. It’s actually exhausting to do that, and to ensure it wasn’t my drained previous fingers letting me down, I received my son to attempt, and he stated the identical – the controls don’t “really feel” proper. Really feel is a tough factor to quantify, however you already know when one thing is true, and this aspect of the exploration isn’t. 

Fortunately, fight is loads easier – stand up subsequent to the enemy and press X to hit them with a defend. What could possibly be simpler? Properly, Shieldmaiden: Remix Version does go just a little deeper than that, because the defend may double up as a surfboard. You’ll want it to be too as at sure factors within the recreation, there are electrified flooring, and Asta can use the defend to bounce throughout them with out dying. 

She will be able to additionally use the defend in its conventional function; blocking harm from hitting. On this mode, the defend will be charged with vitality, after which this vitality will be launched as a particular assault that offers heavy harm – largely to bosses. Certainly, sure bosses want you to make use of this assault to make them susceptible, so blocking the whole lot you may is a good suggestion. Apart from that, the fight is fairly simple and simple to grasp. 

Shieldmaiden: Remix Version is just not a protracted recreation, and you’ll have just about seen the whole lot inside a few hours. The sport appears to recognise that this is a matter, nevertheless, including in collectibles to search out by exploring the degrees past the overwhelmed path. But what Shieldmaiden provides with one hand, it takes away with the opposite, as there are some baffling design selections on show right here. 

The pits that result in your doom will not be marked in any approach, and so that you by no means know if falling down will lead you to a brand new space, or to the final checkpoint you handed. Dying to a boss will be annoying too, as the closest checkpoint is usually just a few screens away, resulting in you attending to the boss battle with diminished well being. However, to be truthful, these are niggles and the essential construction is fairly strong. 

Shieldmaiden: Remix Version isn’t going to set the world on fireplace, however there are worse methods to spend your gaming time. 

Shieldmaiden: Remix Version is on the Xbox Retailer