Tales of the Elements

About

"Tales of the Elements" is an action-packed JRPG inspired by 90's classics, featuring a 4-player co-op system and a unique blend of Hip Hop and RPG music. The game follows the story of music producer Last BeNeVoLeNcE, Mega Ran, and K-Murdock, with challenging gameplay and Hip Hop themed mechanics. This indie adaptation of the album of the same name provides a refreshing twist to the traditional JRPG genre.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 16 reviews

music11 positive mentions

The game features a fantastic soundtrack that blends Hip Hop and RPG music, which many players found enjoyable and nostalgic.
The characters are unique and creative, contributing to a rich atmosphere and engaging story that resonates with players.
The gameplay offers a refreshing take on traditional RPG mechanics, with fun hack and slash action and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic 90s games.

The game suffers from clunky gameplay and poor AI, leading to frustrating experiences where party members often get themselves killed.
Graphics and overall presentation are outdated, with low-quality pixel art and a lack of polish that detracts from the experience.
There are significant control issues, including sensitivity problems and a lack of mouse support, making gameplay cumbersome for some players.

music
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
50%
11%
The reviews for the game's music are highly polarized. Many users criticize the music as being of extremely low quality, describing it as "ear damagingly bad" and worse than generative AI music, while others praise the soundtrack as fantastic, blending hip hop with RPG elements and enhancing the overall experience. Overall, the music aspect appears to be a significant point of contention, with some players finding it integral to the game's appeal and others deeming it a major flaw.
- “The soundtrack is fantastic.”
- “Hip hop by both is featured in the game, and it's not an 'afterthought' like it might be in some games - the music is interwoven in with the story - it's actually rewarding to gain access to the rhymes that go along with the instrumentals in different parts of the game.”
- “While similar to the classic style of Japanese RPGs of the 90s, this game blends hip hop music and culture with the characteristics and setting of a traditional JRPG to create a world of fantasy and style!”
- “It's ear-damagingly bad music, some of the worst ever made.”
- “This isn't making music better; it's making video games much, much worse.”
- “If the business plan for a game is to compete with Spotify, which is free and has effectively unlimited music, all of which is better than the music here, it's failed before it even started.”
story
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
47%
18%
The game's story is praised for its refreshing take on traditional RPG tropes, blending elements of good vs. evil with themes of indifference and greed. Players appreciate the heartfelt narrative and the integration of hip-hop music, which enhances the storytelling experience. Overall, the story is engaging and reminiscent of classic 90s Japanese RPGs, with light puzzle-solving elements that contribute to the progression.
- “Unique story that is a refreshing take on the standard RPG tropes.”
- “Good story: there's a lot of heart in this story, and one can feel like it really draws on some current feelings in real life.”
- “The story told here is indeed good vs. evil, but it also touches on how evil can flourish because of indifference and greed.”
- “The story is basically about Mega Ran, K-Murdock, and Last Benevolence's adventure in a mysterious place.”
- “Japanese-style RPG storytelling like the classics of the 90s.”
- “You walk through the levels avoiding obstacles in order to reach your destination and progress the story.”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The gameplay is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its nostalgic, old-school RPG mechanics reminiscent of titles like Secret of Mana, while others criticize it for being clunky, dull, and visually unappealing. The hip-hop themed elements add a unique twist, but overall, the execution feels imprecise and lacks depth, leading to a divided reception among players.
- “An interesting mix of pure hip-hop and 16-bit ARPG gameplay (like Secret of Mana or Ys).”
- “Here's why you'd be interested in this game: good rhymes, good story, old school gameplay.”
- “Old school gameplay: if you've played a Shining Star game, or Secret of Mana/Evermore, the game plays similarly to that.”
- “Like most RPG Maker shovelware and asset flips, the game features extremely low quality copy-pasted 2D retro pixel art, looks awful, and has even worse gameplay.”
- “Gameplay is clunky, AI is a bit of a clown.”
- “It's a very basic, dull game with outdated graphics and chipsets used; general gameplay is boring and about as dense as it gets.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The graphics of the game are characterized by outdated, pixelated artwork typical of RPG Maker titles, which may not meet the expectations of modern gamers seeking high-definition visuals or advanced graphical options. While some players appreciate the retro aesthetic, others find the visuals dull and lacking in quality, contributing to an overall basic gameplay experience.
- “Good story, the controls and visuals are decent.”
- “Old school graphics isn't really something I have a problem with at all, but if someone expects the latest Ys from this game, this is not it.”
- “Visually a retro-styled game with pixelated artwork and a ton of retro RPG elements.”
- “As with all RPG Maker games, the poor quality engine displays badly in fullscreen and doesn't have full HD support or any graphics tweaking options, making this unacceptable for any dedicated modern PC gamer.”
- “It's a very basic, dull game with outdated graphics and chipsets used; general gameplay is boring and about as dense as it gets.”
- “Old school graphics isn't really something I have a problem with at all, but if someone expects the latest visuals from this game, this is not it.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers consistently highlight the game's rich atmosphere, noting its immersive environments and detailed sound design that enhance the overall experience. This depth contributes significantly to player engagement and emotional connection within the game world.
- “The game immerses you in a rich atmosphere that feels alive and vibrant.”
- “Every detail contributes to an incredibly immersive atmosphere that draws you in.”
- “The hauntingly beautiful atmosphere creates a sense of tension and wonder throughout the game.”