Darkblood Chronicles
- November 22, 2017
- doriantoki
In Darkblood Chronicles, players navigate the Dark Realm as Samantha, a protagonist with a mysterious past. The game features a mature story, decision-based dialogue that determines one of five endings, and an active-time battle system. With over 40 unique skills to learn and over 20 hours of gameplay, players can explore and solve puzzles while building a character that suits their playstyle. The game also includes 3 main characters and over 40 support characters.
Reviews
- The story is engaging and thought-provoking, with good character exploration and themes of death, loss, and overcoming the past.
- The pixel art and animations are visually appealing, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.
- The game features unique gameplay mechanics, such as picturemancy and zodiac warrior souls, which add depth to the turn-based combat system.
- The pacing can be frustrating, with excessive cutscenes that disrupt gameplay and no option to skip them, leading to repetitive experiences after dying.
- Character interactions can be inconsistent, with some characters behaving annoyingly or inappropriately during critical moments in the story.
- Difficulty spikes and some overpowered enemies can make battles frustrating, particularly towards the end of the game, which may deter players from enjoying the experience.
- story14 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 7 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The story of "Dark Blood Chronicles" is generally well-received, featuring engaging twists, character exploration, and themes of death and grief that resonate deeply with players. While it is praised for its captivating and thought-provoking narrative, some reviewers note that the pacing can feel uneven, with excessive cutscenes detracting from gameplay. Overall, the game is recognized for its unique storytelling and homage to classic RPGs, making it an intriguing experience despite its pacing issues.
“The story is very good with some good twists, turns, and nice buildup. It takes inspiration from the Persona games with character exploration, and I appreciate the themes of death, loss, grief, saying goodbye, and overcoming the past. It was very touching and thought-provoking.”
“Darkblood Chronicles is an intelligent and often thought-provoking RPG with a decent cast, a good story, and an interesting setting.”
“The storyline is well scripted so far; it really got me into it.”
“Dark Blood Chronicles is an okay but mixed bag of a JRPG, RPG Maker game; okay, then the story.”
“After watching a long cutscene, you go explore the level only for a minute or two later for another cutscene to happen. I don't know, it just feels unnatural and like there's too much story and not enough gameplay; it all really bogs down the game.”
“The story is also mysterious and captivating.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The gameplay in the game is described as a mixed experience, featuring standard turn-based JRPG mechanics with frequent cutscenes that disrupt exploration and pacing. While some players appreciate the solid spritework and battle system, others feel that the heavy emphasis on story detracts from the overall gameplay experience, making it difficult to fully recommend.
“This game is not only beautiful; it offers amazing gameplay with a cool battle system.”
“The sprite work is solid, the music is good, and the gameplay is quite good.”
“So with that done, Dark Blood Chronicles is an okay but mixed bag of a JRPG, RPG Maker game, with a very good story, okay gameplay, and good enemies and bosses.”
“The gameplay was okay; it's your standard turn-based JRPG where you fight random monsters, pick up items such as healing items to heal your party, or collect weapons and clothing to improve your characters. It's pretty standard stuff.”
“After watching a long cutscene, you go explore the level only for a minute or two later when another cutscene happens. I don't know, it just feels unnatural, and it seems like there's too much story and not enough gameplay. It really bogs down the game.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of Darkblood Chronicles are praised for their impressive pixel art style, featuring a harmonious blend of somber and bright colors that enhance the game's mood. Reviewers highlight the smooth animations and overall visual quality, noting that the graphics effectively complement the clever storytelling and atmospheric design.
“The pixel graphic art style is pretty good with a nice use of somber yet bright colors that really helps with the mood and look of the game.”
“The animations, graphics, and just the look and sound of the game are excellent.”
“Darkblood Chronicles is an awesome blend of stunning retro graphics and clever storytelling.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, featuring some enjoyable tracks that enhance the atmosphere, though it may not stand out significantly. Overall, it complements the gameplay and spritework effectively, contributing to an engaging experience.
“Between the atmosphere and great soundtrack, the game will make you want to not put it down.”
“The sprite work is solid, the music is good, and the gameplay is quite good.”
“The music is also suitable.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised, with users noting its captivating pixel art and smooth graphics that evoke nostalgia reminiscent of classics like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI. The combination of a compelling atmosphere and an engaging soundtrack creates an immersive experience that keeps players hooked.
“I love the game's pixel art and atmosphere; it reminds me a lot of Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI, and Silent Hill.”
“The graphics and animation are smooth and perfectly suit the game's atmosphere.”
“Between the atmosphere and the great soundtrack, the game will make you want to keep playing.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised for its compelling story, which features engaging twists and character exploration reminiscent of the Persona series. Themes of death, loss, grief, and the journey of saying goodbye are effectively woven into the narrative, making it both touching and thought-provoking for players.
“The story is very good with some great twists and turns, featuring a nice buildup. It draws inspiration from the Persona games with its character exploration. I appreciate the themes of death, loss, grief, saying goodbye, and overcoming the past; it was very touching and thought-provoking.”
“The emotional depth of the narrative really resonated with me, exploring complex themes that made me reflect on my own experiences.”
“I was deeply moved by the character arcs and the way the game handles sensitive topics, making it a truly memorable experience.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players report that grinding is a significant part of the gameplay experience, often requiring substantial time investment—around 20 hours for a single playthrough—to unlock all available choices. Despite the time commitment, many still find the experience rewarding.
“I spent a lot of time grinding to unlock all the choices, but I still only got about 20 hours out of one playthrough.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over just to progress, which really took away from the enjoyment.”