Enex2

This is for the Reviewrim event. Here's how it works. I try out a game I haven't played before, and I play for up to 3 hours. I then pick the game apart from five different angles, each addressing a different facet of the game's design and assigning a score of up to 2 points. After each one is evaluated, the score gets totaled up.

Story: 1.5/2

A young man in search of his little brother is mistaken for a cultist ringleader and accused of related crimes. Hate it when that happens. As if that weren't bad enough, the poor guy gets accused of murder multiple times while defending himself and others. It's tragic, really. Poor lad just can't catch a break.

There are some hokey bits, but the story is perfectly serviceable fantasy fare.

Atmosphere: 1.5/2

I experienced a WTF moment at the beginning of the game when presented with multiple cutscenes and a puzzle, all before I even gained control of my character for the first time. Seriously, can't a guy at least grab some breakfast before having multiple out-of-body experiences like that?

While it's not a horrible thing, I'm here to play a roleplaying game. If I wanted to watch a movie or mess around with a puzzle for which I have no context, I'd be doing that instead. For the same reason, I feel like there are twice as many cutscenes in this game as I am comfortable having. Others may prefer having these sorts of things in their gaming experience, but it's possible to overdo it. That's what I feel may be happening here.

The game is drawn nicely. I liked the special effect animations, and the cutscenes are generally well (if over) done. Most of the music is also well done, though some of the ambient sounds are a bit louder than I'd like.

Interface: 1.5/2

Better than the standard clunky RM interface. I didn't like the ugly default shade of green, but was pleased to discover that I could change the color for the menu and dialogue boxes, which is a very nice touch. There is an apparent glitch that sometimes prevents dialogue boxes from fully showing; this makes the dialogue text difficult to read due to the resulting lack of contrast. I first noticed it at the shop in the monastery. Also at the monastery, there is a typo in the head bishop's dialogue, where he says "refugeesto" instead of "refugees to".

Game Play: 1/2

Overinflated stats -- while fairly rampant in JRPGs, I'm not a fan of them. Other than that, I enjoyed the RPG aspect for what it was, which for this game is exactly what it's supposed to be. I did enjoy the forest maze quite a bit as well.

Some tiles (bushes, flowers, crumbly rocks) look like they should be passable but aren't. This makes things a bit confusing when navigating, which wouldn't be much of an issue in a standard turn based RPG but becomes a bit more of one when you're being chased by monsters you'd rather avoid.

There is a place near the cave entrance during the first quest where I can walk over a darkness tile. I imagine this is a bug rather than a feature.

Also, rabbits. Why did it have to be rabbits?


Fun Factor: 1.5/2

Despite the comparatively minor flaws in the game, Enex2 is a fairly solid offering. I'm sure I will be coming back to play more, and after only 3 hours of play there is plenty more for me to come back to.

For the record, I got to the boss fight at the Bronze Mine with the Deregade before stopping to write this. I lost the ensuing fight. A revenge match is forthcoming.

Do you HEAR that Deregade? I'M COMING FOR YOUUUUUUU!
*fade to black*