Silver Nornir Review | TheXboxHub

It’s simple to be blase about one other KEMCO sport coming to the Xbox consoles today. See, this evaluation marks a little bit of a private landmark, the 20 th KEMCO title that I’ve performed and reviewed since 2017 – a median of 4 video games a 12 months.  

The most recent is that of Silver Nornir, one more retro styled JRPG. Is it value taking part in?

In an RPG, story is king. And there may be positively a narrative happening right here, make no mistake about it. My slight reservation is that it’s a tad complicated. It focuses on a nasty man, a world, and a bunch of heroes, who all work together. Chaos has apparently already destroyed the world twice, there are specific characters who’re immortal, however can nonetheless be killed in battle, and we now have to attempt to  cease the world from being destroyed a 3rd time by taking part in as Ein and his companions. Aside from this, you actually should play Silver Nornir to totally perceive simply how bonkers it’s. 

With the fully weird story a part of the entire JRPG factor nailed on, how does Silver Nornir current itself? Nicely, it’s just about like that we’ve seen earlier than from the crew at KEMCO, as that is most actually a retro styled affair; though not fairly as retro as their earlier effort, Dragon Prana. In reality, this time the period of the graphics seems to be from across the time of the SNES. Consequently, the sprites are fairly massive and show numerous character. They’re designed firmly on the anime finish of the size, slightly than practical, and when one of many extra harmful enemies that you simply face seems to be an eight 12 months outdated lady, it tells you all it’s worthwhile to know. The motion is seen from the standard top-down perspective, and in the principle this viewpoint works fairly properly. 

The sounds are additionally on the serviceable finish of the spectrum, with varied sword swishes and spell whooshes all current and proper. A particular point out has to go to one of many feminine protagonists, who yells “Solly!” each time she assaults a baddie, and one other to Grasp Blade, who is ready to struggle completely regardless of showing to have two strips of gaffer tape over his eyes. Keen suspension of disbelief…

However let’s check out that gameplay and to start with Silver Nornir is just about enterprise as traditional. There are a bunch of characters you management, there are numerous overblown cutscenes filled with drama to look at, after which we’re unleashed on a ready world. Now, the sport has a fairly main flaw right away, and it’s a fairly easy one: the character motion is simply too quick. It’s one thing chances are you’ll recognise if you’re sufficiently old to recollect Benny Hill and his upbeat music. Spending time with Silver Nornir is like making an attempt to play by means of that. In reality, all that’s lacking is the music! Severely, making an attempt to line up your get together with a view to open a chest or get by means of a small hole is an train in futility. And it’s best to neglect making an attempt to do any of the (quite simple) puzzles that require you to comply with a sure path – it’s nearly inconceivable to get your crew the place you need them. And no, there are not any settings to allow it to be slowed down both. 

Aside from the annoying motion, the remainder of Silver Nornir is as you’d anticipate as you wander by means of dungeons, interact in random fisticuffs with a wide range of foes (though not an enormous selection, principally simply totally different color palettes of foes you’ve seen earlier than) till you get to a boss. From there it’s a case of battering stated boss, after which transferring on to the subsequent. There isn’t even an overworld to discover this time – the one factor you are able to do from the world map is transfer to the subsequent vacation spot, however even this isn’t simple. If you wish to go to a vacation spot to the left, you need to press both up or down on the D-pad. It’s annoying to say the least. 

In any other case, the fight is identical as ever, turn-based and old fashioned in design. Relying on the characters that you’ve got, there are totally different crew assaults that may be carried out, which does add a layer of complexity that’s most welcome. Truthfully, the precise fight is by far and away the very best a part of this sport; attending to grips along with your crew and taking out an enormous boss is a really satisfying factor to attain. 

In conclusion then, Silver Nornir is an attention-grabbing entry into the KEMCO steady. The story is bonkers, and the fight is nice, however you’ll must stability that towards the very annoying controls and the dearth of any overworld to discover. With the pace of Benny Hill current, it’s finally a strong entry within the style, however not one that’s going to set the world on hearth. Maybe anticipate a bit of mild smouldering. 

Silver Nornir is on the Xbox Retailer