Child of Light

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,319 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
Child of Light Game Cover
From start to finish Child of Light is a delight to spend time with, and without a doubt the best platforming experience.
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Child of Light is a 2D sidescrolling RPG set in the magical world of Lemuria. Players control Aurora, a young girl on a quest to return the sun, moon, and stars to their rightful places. Engaging in turn-based combat, Aurora explores Lemuria's stunning environments, solving puzzles, and recruiting companions along the way.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Play​station Vita
  • Tablet
  • Uplay
  • Wii
  • Wii U
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,319 reviews
story1,441 positive mentions
grinding125 negative mentions
  • Beautiful art style and visuals that resemble a watercolor painting.
  • Engaging turn-based combat system with a unique timeline mechanic that allows for strategic play.
  • Enchanting soundtrack that complements the game's atmosphere and story.
  • Requires Ubisoft's Uplay, which can lead to technical issues and frustrate players.
  • The rhyming dialogue can feel forced and detracts from the overall narrative experience.
  • Limited character usage in combat, as only two characters can be active at a time, reducing strategic depth.
  • story3,257 mentions

    The story of "Child of Light" is often described as a charming fairy tale, told entirely in rhymed verse, which some players find enchanting while others feel it disrupts the narrative flow. The plot follows Aurora, a young girl on a quest to restore light to the land of Lemuria, and while it features familiar themes of good versus evil, many appreciate its emotional depth and character development. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful artwork and soundtrack, which enhance the storytelling experience, despite some critiques regarding the simplicity and predictability of the plot.

    • “The story is beautifully tragic, told with rhymes that work well for the most part and the ending is fairly sad.”
    • “Child of light is a wonderful story with platformer exploration and typical final fantasy style combat.”
    • “The story is simple, but well done, and the dialogue with its rhyme and rhyme are excellently done.”
    • “Unfortunately, the story itself feels shallow and generic, and the many characters with their fun and whimsical designs have stories written as shallow as grating my ear on a cheese grater.”
    • “The dialogue tries too hard, and the plot is on the more juvenile side, but it's still a fun game.”
    • “The rhyming dialogue felt forced and disrupted the flow of the story for me.”
  • music2,091 mentions

    The music in "Child of Light" has been widely praised for its enchanting and atmospheric qualities, effectively complementing the game's stunning watercolor visuals. Composed by Béatrice Martin (Cœur de Pirate), the soundtrack features a mix of soothing piano melodies and orchestral pieces that enhance the emotional depth of the story, making it a standout element of the game. While some players noted a lack of variety in the tracks, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's fairy tale ambiance and immersive experience.

    • “The music stayed with me long after I stopped playing, and sometimes I find myself replaying the tunes in my head.”
    • “The soundtrack complements the visuals perfectly.”
    • “The music, at first calm and slow, gradually became more and more disturbing.”
    • “The music is repetitive, with only about four songs in the game.”
    • “The soundtrack could have been better as it becomes monotonic really quick.”
    • “I just wish the soundtrack was more diverse; I feel like I'm listening to the same theme with a few variations.”
  • graphics1,802 mentions

    The graphics of "Child of Light" are widely praised for their stunning watercolor art style, which evokes a fairy tale atmosphere and enhances the overall experience of the game. Players appreciate the beautiful hand-drawn visuals, smooth animations, and how the art complements the enchanting soundtrack, creating a captivating and immersive world. While some minor graphical issues were noted, the overall aesthetic is considered a standout feature that elevates the game's storytelling and emotional impact.

    • “The game’s visuals are simply breathtaking, and the whole game has a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere to it that reminds me of the awe and wonder I would feel as a child.”
    • “From the moment I started playing, I was captivated by its stunning art style.”
    • “This game has some of the most beautiful graphics I have ever seen.”
    • “The graphics are really cute and the soundtracks are just beautiful.”
    • “The graphics are stylized and cute, and the mechanics are decently fresh without being completely non-intuitive.”
    • “The graphics are in fact in a unique style but that style looks lazy and very soon the marionette physics get tiresome.”
  • gameplay1,335 mentions

    The gameplay of "Child of Light" is characterized by its blend of classic turn-based mechanics and real-time elements, offering a unique combat system that emphasizes timing and strategy through an interrupt mechanic. While many players appreciate the beautiful art and music, opinions on the gameplay vary, with some finding it engaging and others deeming it repetitive or simplistic. Overall, the game provides a charming experience with a focus on exploration and character customization, though it may not satisfy those seeking deep or challenging mechanics.

    • “The gameplay teaches some valuable lessons—like how going oonga boonga is definitely not the way; the defend mechanic is a must, especially in the late game.”
    • “It's a beautifully crafted game with solid mechanics, great writing, and pretty art.”
    • “The gameplay is unique, the art style is fantastic, and the music is beautiful.”
    • “However, I found the gameplay a bit restrictive at times.”
    • “Sadly, this mechanic becomes mostly useless when they implement mechanics where almost every enemy will have some type of counter effect to you executing this maneuver, to the point where sometimes it's not even worth it as the backlash becomes bigger than the gain from the interruption.”
    • “The gameplay is very bland and repetitive.”
  • atmosphere228 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its breathtaking visuals, enchanting soundtrack, and whimsical storytelling, creating a dreamy, fairy-tale-like experience. Players appreciate the hand-painted art style and the poetic dialogue, which enhance the immersive quality of the game. Overall, the combination of stunning graphics, evocative music, and a charming narrative contributes to a captivating and memorable atmosphere that resonates deeply with players.

    • “The atmosphere, soundtrack, art direction, and gameplay were phenomenal; the only flaw was the length of the game, which was quite short.”
    • “The music encapsulates the atmosphere of the game perfectly, and it wouldn't be the same without it.”
    • “The artwork itself really helps make the game and set the atmosphere along with the music.”
    • “The story may be a bit lackluster and predictable at times, mostly due to it all taking place in an in-game engine which leaves clues that you're not done even when you reach certain story beats, but the atmosphere of the game definitely makes up for it.”
    • “While sometimes it added to the fairy tale atmosphere, for the most part it made the story and dialogue convoluted, using strange grammar in order to make a rhyme (and often the rhyming itself not really working).”
    • “Nevertheless, be warned: if you are looking for pure-adult-action games, or don't have the muse or time to dive into the atmosphere of the game, it is nothing for you.”
  • emotional198 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Child of Light" is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling, beautiful artwork, and enchanting soundtrack, which together create a deeply immersive experience. Many players report being moved to tears by the game's touching narrative and character development, often likening it to a classic fairy tale that resonates with both children and adults. The combination of poetic dialogue, whimsical characters, and a poignant score enhances the emotional depth, making it a memorable and impactful journey for players.

    • “The graphics of the game are beautiful and artistic, the soundtrack (which I think is the most amazing thing about this game) is inspired by opera and it is so emotional during the storyline and it is also imposing when you're in a boss fight; everything can take you into the ambiance of the game, and not gonna lie, I cried with the credits' song.”
    • “The story is one of a kind; it's touching, meaningful, and teaches you important things about life.”
    • “This is one of the most gorgeous, most enchanting, most captivating, most well-written, and most heartbreaking games I've played in my whole life.”
  • grinding132 mentions

    Overall, the reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a mixed experience. Many players find that while minimal grinding is required for general progression, certain bosses can create a need for more extensive grinding, which can become tedious and repetitive. However, some players appreciate the balance of leveling up without excessive grinding, allowing for a more enjoyable and story-focused gameplay experience.

    • “There is also a simple crafting system that isn't too grindy and allows the use of gemstones to augment skills and stats.”
    • “Not grindy JRPG-styled gameplay with a little twist or two, although enjoyable, but not a very complex one.”
    • “Exploration is natural and not tedious or a punishment.”
    • “Grinding isn't very effective in my opinion because of the way the XP values scale and the stats growth tables.”
    • “The grinding is the most boring thing in gaming history and takes up 90% of the game time.”
    • “The battles do grow tedious very quickly.”
  • replayability77 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the new game+ mode and various difficulty settings that allow for different character builds and strategies, while others find the linear story and limited content result in low overall replay value. Many enjoy the experience enough to consider replaying for completionist goals or to explore different gameplay styles, but several reviews indicate that the game lacks significant incentives for multiple playthroughs. Overall, while there are elements that can enhance replayability, it is often viewed as limited.

    • “It's a short and sweet tear jerker with excellent gameplay, and replay value if you want a power trip the second go around with max skill trees.”
    • “Game allows you to continue playing after the credits roll if you want to grind your characters or finish any side quests left, giving it additional replayability!”
    • “Tons of replayability with the new game+ feature.”
    • “Personally, I don't think there's a lot of replay value because the story is pretty linear.”
    • “The only downside to Child of Light is it lacks much replay value for most players.”
    • “There's not much replayability here, as I felt that I pretty much saw and did everything there was to see and do in the game.”
  • character development66 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally well-received, with many praising the growth of the main character, Aurora, and the unique designs of supporting characters. However, opinions vary, as some players feel that while the main character's journey is engaging, the development of side characters is often lacking or inconsistent. Overall, the artistic presentation and dialogue contribute positively to the character experience, though some players express a desire for deeper storytelling and more substantial character arcs.

    • “Every frame is a hand-drawn, hand-painted watercolor masterpiece, and the character development and world-building are unmatched.”
    • “With beautiful artwork, character development, an immersive story, and humor, people will find themselves lost in this game, coming to love the main character, perhaps without even realizing it.”
    • “Character development was done really well, and the repertoire of characters with their lively dialogues truly brings the game to life.”
    • “The story is shallow, and the character development is almost non-existent.”
    • “It's disappointing considering that besides the protagonist (who undergoes a really cool transformation two-thirds into the game), there is barely any character development at all.”
    • “That being said, it was boring a few times, and while the character development seemed to have promise at first, it really felt like the choices were meaningless and something you just had to click the buttons on to move forward.”
  • humor61 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by witty, rhyming dialogue and charming character interactions that often elicit laughter. Players appreciate the clever writing and the lighthearted tone, which complements the beautiful visuals and engaging story. While some find the constant rhyming amusing, others feel it can become repetitive, yet overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the gameplay experience.

    • “Every single line is written in such a manner that it rhymes and also has this archaic kind of language, but it's not hard to follow, and many interactions are very funny.”
    • “The banter and conversations between the various characters are amazing, ranging from humor to sad moments.”
    • “One of the most endearing games I have played in the last year, 'Child of Light' brings you into a fairytale world with its unique look inspired by watercolor paintings of the 19th century, and its funny dialogue, all in rhyme.”
    • “Came for the beautiful visuals, tempted to leave because of the unfunny battle system and had to force myself to finish it.”
    • “The jokes fell flat and the humor felt forced, making the experience more tedious than entertaining.”
    • “I expected a lighthearted adventure, but the attempts at humor were cringeworthy and detracted from the overall enjoyment.”
  • stability36 mentions

    The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with some players reporting no significant issues or glitches, while others experience frequent crashes, particularly related to the Ubisoft Connect/Uplay launcher. Many users express frustration with the mandatory installation of Uplay, which they describe as buggy and invasive, leading to a range of stability problems. Overall, while some players enjoy a smooth experience, others encounter game-breaking bugs and performance issues that detract from their enjoyment.

    • “The game looks completely bug-free; at least, I haven't encountered a single one.”
    • “Not buggy; it feels like a well-thought-out game.”
    • “Gameplay is straightforward, and I encountered no glitches throughout the game at all.”
    • “No matter what troubleshooting I run, it always crashes on startup, which is a shame because I wanted to play it again.”
    • “You still need to connect and deal with Ubisoft's buggy DRM/Uplay junk to play a single-player game.”
    • “The game freezes at the main menu and stopped me from exiting.”
  • optimization13 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization receives mixed reviews; while some players report smooth performance on various platforms, including the Steam Deck at 4K 60fps, others experience clunky performance and stuttering issues. Despite the potential for a definitive experience on PC, many feel that the differences do not justify the platform choice, especially when optimization appears lacking in certain areas. Some users express disappointment with the game's graphical options and performance, suggesting that it may not meet the expectations set by its premise.

    • “Super well optimized, my Steam Deck can run it in docked mode at full 4K 60fps while hardly breaking a sweat.”
    • “The game runs smoothly on most PCs.”
    • “Yes, it actually has a pleasantly optimized battle system.”
    • “I buy these games in part because my computer can run them, and it was disappointing the lack of optimization or graphical options.”
    • “Performance is noticeably clunky at parts.”
    • “Ubisoft must have gotten really lazy with the optimization and the game is nearly unplayable for me.”
  • monetization7 mentions

    The monetization strategy in games like "Might & Magic Duel of Champions" and "Child of Light" has drawn criticism for heavy reliance on microtransactions and DLCs that feel like content was intentionally withheld to extract more money from players. While some games maintain a reasonable purchase price without requiring additional spending, the presence of manipulative practices and "cash grab" DLCs has left a negative impression on players, particularly regarding Ubisoft's approach to monetization.

    • “The only downside was a somewhat heavy-handed attempt by Ubisoft to seek microtransactions, as seen in some of the DLCs and the expending of Ubi-Points for 'rewards.' The game is challenging but does not require any additional money beyond the reasonable purchase price.”
    • “The Golem and other DLC are beyond doubt content that was supposed to already be in the game, but was gouged out to make more DLC microtransactions.”
    • “Show them that good games are better than microtransactions.”
    • “A more serious case was that of Might & Magic: Duel of Champions, a free-to-play game with microtransactions, whose closure not only removed the game from stores but also erased achievements and statistics from accounts, rendering important player information inaccessible.”
    • “Remember that you're giving your money to Ubisoft, and let's not forget what this company's higher-ups have perpetuated in the past and the beloved games like Assassin's Creed they have ruined with manipulative microtransactions.”
    • “The golem and other DLC are beyond doubt content that was supposed to already be in the game, but was gouged out to make more DLC microtransactions.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

85% average critic score

Buy Child of Light

Play time

14hMedian play time
26hAverage play time
11hMain story
15hCompletionist
8-17hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 37 analyzed playthroughs

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