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{{short description|2020 Role-playing game (RPG) with rhythm commands}}
{{Short description|2020 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
| state =
| italic title =
| title = Ikenfell
| title = Ikenfell
| image = File:Game-Logo-Ikenfell.png
| image = Ikenfell cover art.jpg
| alt = A depiction of the words ''Ikenfell'' overlaid atop the main player party members in the library of Ikenfell's titular setting
| alt =
| caption =
| caption =
| developer = [[HappyRayGames]]
| developer = Happy Ray Games
| publisher = [[Humble Store]]
| director = [[Chevy Ray Johnston]]
| producer = [[Chevy Ray Johnston]]
| writer = {{ubl|Chevy Ray Johnston|Joanna Blackhart|Jeriko Green|[[Aivi Tran]]}}
| writer = {{ubl|Chevy Ray Johnston|Joanna Blackhart|Jeriko Green|[[Aivi Tran]]}}
| artist = Chevy Ray Johnston
| programmer = Chevy Ray Johnston
| artist = {{ubl|Chevy Ray Johnston|Hunter Russell}}
| composer = [[Aivi & Surasshu]]
| composer = {{ubl|[[Aivi & Surasshu]]|Sabrielle Augustin}}
| platforms = {{ubl|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[macOS]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]|[[Playstation 4]]|[[Xbox One]]}}
| publisher = [[Humble Bundle#Publishing|Humble Games]]
| released = October 9, 2020
| platforms = {{ubl|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[macOS]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[Xbox One]]}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Role-playing game]]}}
| released = {{vgrelease|WW|October 8, 2020}}
| genre = Role-playing
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}
}}


'''''Ikenfell''''' is a [[Role-playing game]] (RPG) video game developed and published by [[HappyRayGames]]. The game was released for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[macOS]], [[Nintendo Switch]], [[Playstation 4]], and [[Xbox One]] on October 9, 2020.
'''''Ikenfell''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɪ|k|ɛ|n|f|ɛ|l}} {{respell|IK|en|fel}}) is a [[role-playing video game]] developed by Happy Ray Games and published by [[Humble Bundle#Publishing|Humble Games]]. It was released for [[Windows]], [[macOS]], [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], and [[Xbox One]] on October 8, 2020.


The tactical combat system involves players battling on an isometric grid, but also includes timing-based elements akin to the ''[[Paper Mario]]'' series. In the story, the player initially controls Maritte Hildegaard, a non-magical teenage girl who journeys to the titular [[List of fictional schools#Magic_schools|magical school]] Ikenfell, in an attempt to investigate the disappearance of her witch sister Safina. While trying to enter the school, she suddenly gains magical powers, concurring with mysterious changes in magic that some link to the mysterious Dark Fold.
Players control Maritte Hildegaard, a teenage girl who is travelling far from home to the magical school of Ikenfell, a school for burgeoning witches and wizards to hone their specific magical craft. Her journey is not to attend Ikenfell, but rather to find her sister, Safina, who did not come home for Summer break and thus has piqued Maritte's worry. During her attempt to gain entry to the school, Maritte suddenly develops pyromancy, and at the same moment, a wide range of bizarre magical creatures appear and other strange events begin to happen. Determined to learn more about her new powers and find her missing sister, Maritte begins a harrowing journey into forgotten secrets in this world of magic.


Reviews from critics were mixed. Some reviewers largely praised the game's combat and story, while others described it as having potential, but let down by flaws in those systems.
''Ikenfell'' was developed in a custom [[C Sharp (programming language)]] engine written on top of SDL2 and [[OpenGL]].


== Gameplay ==
==Gameplay==
[[File:Ikenfell battle example.jpg|thumb|left| Playable characters on the right side of the screen (top to bottom) Maritte, Petronella, and Rook in a battle against a thieving hat-witch.]]
[[File:Ikenfell battle example.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A battle in the Garden levels of Ikenfell, with the player party attacking a group of enemies.|''Ikenfell'''s battle system features player characters (here, Rook, Pertisia, and Petronella) on an isometric grid.]]


''Ikenfell'' is a turn-based [[Role-playing video game#Tactical_RPGs|tactical role-playing video game]].<ref name="hg review"/><ref name="tr interview"/> It uses various [[2.5D]] perspectives to display characters and the game world.<ref name="gm blog"/> Like older ''[[Paper Mario]]'' games and ''[[Super Mario RPG]]'', the outcome of both player and enemy moves during combat depends on timed button presses. The playing field is composed of a grid, upon which both the player and enemies can move, with their position affecting what moves can be performed and how efficient they are. As the game advances, the attack patterns and timing become more complex, providing greater difficulty. For accessibility, there are options to both partially and completely disable combat timing.<ref name="gs review"/>
''Ikenfell'' contains similarities to notable classic SNES JRPGs, such as some entries in the Final Fantasy Tactics series, as well as [[Super Mario RPG]]. Like most traditional JRPGs, there are two main sections to the game: adventuring and turn-based battle sequences. Much of Ikenfell's gameplay is outside monster battles and plays like an isometric 2D adventure/exploration game. There are no random encounters and as such fightable enemies are visible in the game world at any given time; a battle ensues only if the player controlled character comes in contact with one. This allows the player to evade battles if so desired.


Characters are managed with a party system; although the player initially only controls Maritte, they later gain control of other characters, each with their own unique skillset.<ref name="self"/> Three characters in the player's battle can engage in battle at any time; these can be changed at save points (which are represented by cats).<ref name="kt"/>
The player controls only Maritte at the beginning of the game. As the story progresses, the player ultimately gains a party of six characters, though only three members can be used during a battle at a time. The six available party members in the game are (in order of acquisition): Maritte, Petronella, Rook, Pertisia, Ima, and Gilda. Each of the six characters has a unique set of attacks and techniques. For example, Maritte has an array of offensive, fire-based magical attacks as well as a few status buff spells, whereas Petronella and Ima both have offensive and AOE attacks but also several forms of healing spells.


Like most traditional [[History of Eastern role-playing video games|Japanese-style RPGs]], gameplay also consists of parts outside battle which characters can navigate.<ref name="hg review"/> Much of Ikenfell's gameplay involves these, which include exploration, adventure, and puzzle-solving portions. There are no random encounters and as such fightable enemies are always visible in the world. Battle only ensues if the party reaches one, allowing the player to evade combat.<ref name="se review"/><ref name="self"/>
The combat is based on a traditional turn-based battle system with the addition of timed button presses that amplify a move's effects. The player starts each turn by choosing to attack, defend, run, use an item, or perform magic from the combat menu. The action command consists of timed button presses during an attack, special move, defense, or item usage.


== Plot ==
==Plot==
Players initially control Maritte Hildegaard, a teenager who travels to the [[List of fictional schools#Magic_schools|magical school]] of Ikenfell to find her sister Safina, who has gone missing since summer break. Although she is initially non-magical, she soon mysteriously develops [[pyromancy]] while trying to enter Ikenfell, after which she learns bizarre and unprecedented magical events began occurring across the school grounds not long after the students left for the break, and thus the school is currently on lockdown. She encounters [[non-binary]] alchemist Petronella, a close friend of Safina, who has had an emotional breakdown due to the latter's disappearance, and tells Maritte of a secret passage of Safina's they use to get into the school.
Placeholder Text


Once inside, they discover Safina's dorm room blocked by a magic seal. After fighting lightning magician Gilda, who is attracted to Maritte, they join up with fellow student Rook. With Rook and Safina's rival Pertisia, they successfully enter it by disguising Maritte as her sister. Inside, they retrieve the Prism Heart, a creation of Safina that allows the user to see through deception, which she had used for research with older student Ima. Meeting with Ima and Gilda, they go to the Summerstone, a large orb which imprisons the Dark Fold, a destructive wave of magic seemingly precipitating the strange events. At the stone, they successfully fight experienced coven magician Bax and his partner Ibn, who are also looking for Safina. Using the Prism Heart, they reveal that the Summerstone is merely an illusion, and Safina destroyed the actual stone.
== Development ==
Placeholder Text


Believing her sister wanted to free the Dark Fold, Maritte has a [[panic attack]] and rids herself of her magic, and decides to leave Ikenfell. Ima asks the school's raven deity to remove Maritte and get help, but it refuses to do either, instead sending the party to the ancient ruins of old Ikenfell. There, they discover that a squad tried to defend an important plant, the Sapling, from the Dark Fold. Aeldra, the current headmistress of Ikenfell, was the only survivor, using her friends' magic powers to construct the Summerstone, imprisoning both the Dark Fold and the Sapling. Motivated by getting answers and her friends, Maritte regains her magic. In the library's archives, her party finds an old book that explains the cycle of the two magical seasons. Every thousand years, the Sapling dies, causing a new generation of magic to arise, and the old generation to be forgotten; this process is the cause of Ikenfell's unusual magical events, and trying to prevent the Sapling’s death would lead to "great catastrophe", in repetition of the fall of old Ikenfell a thousand years ago. The deaths of her friends, however, is causing Aeldra uncontrollable grief, which she can only abate through expelling her pain into a cauldron, and has wished to preserve the Sapling in fears that freeing it will also free the Dark Fold: Safina, having found out the truth of the Sapling, had tried to stop her.
== Reception ==

{{Expand section|date=September 2020}}
Persuading several professors to oppose her, they decide to confront Aeldra, as the school is slowly collapsing. The party arrives at the Spelltower, where Aeldra is guarding the Sapling. Finding the doors blocked, Pertisia reveals she created a secret passage like Safina's, but suffered injuries from it that traumatized her, and she uses her powers to create a new passage. As they try convincing Aeldra to stop her vain attempt to preserve the Sapling, her stress breaks her cauldron, overwhelming her and making her [[psychosis|lose contact with reality]]. Convinced she is defeating the Dark Fold, she kills Bax and attacks Maritte's party; the party defeats and awakens her from her trance. Distraught at the loss of his lover Bax, Ibn steals the Sapling. Revealing his immense power in the spiritual realm, his anger makes him lose his sense of self and become a monster. After defeating Ibn, the party uses Petronella's magic to revive Bax, who calms Ibn back to normality, and they free the Sapling.

Petronella and Safina join the coven as repayment for saving Ibn and Bax. Aeldra retires, leaving the role of headmistress to Ima and dueling teacher Radegund, who begin research into the new knowledge created by the next magical generation. In the epilogue, Rook and Gilda travel to distant lands to make new discoveries. Pertisia resumes her old music career and begins a relationship with Maritte, and they both agree to go on the journey as well.

==Development==
Before developing ''Ikenfell'', Chevy Ray Johnston, the game's lead developer, had worked as a contract programmer for [[Bandai Namco]], as well as on a variety of indie games.<ref name="lv interview"/> He had developed a custom engine,<ref name="engine"/> but failed to complete any of his game ideas. After reading [[Rainbow Rowell]]'s young adult novel ''[[Carry On (novel)|Carry On]]'', he was inspired to make a video game about a magic school using his tools. Originally, the game's premise was based around a witch completing a final quest before dying of illness.<ref name="tw origins"/> It was also an [[action RPG]], but Johnston decided the space required for combat limited level design.<ref name="gm blog"/>

Johnston's custom [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]] engine, based on top of SDL2 and [[OpenGL]], allowed him to port it to a wide variety of platforms. The engine also included [[Lua (programming language)|Lua]] scripting for control puzzles, events, and scenes; and a GUI frontend, including a custom map and scene editor, which were used to accelerate the development process.<ref name="tr interview"/><ref name="engine"/>

After a few years into development, the game was funded via [[Kickstarter]] in 2016.<ref name="tr interview"/> Later, Johnston also brought on consultant Joanna Blackhart to ensure that the game's portrayal of [[LGBT]] characters was accurate and inoffensive, a process that led to a "rewriting" of parts of the story.<ref name="gr interview"/> It was featured at the 2019 [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]] as part of its inclusion in the [[Xbox Game Pass]],<ref name="ks gamepass"/> before being released on October 8, 2020.<ref name="mc switch"/>

In September 2021, [[Limited Run Games]] announced a physical release of the game, with pre-orders beginning on the 24th.<ref name="nl physical"/> A Japanese localisation produced by [[8-4]] was also revealed that month, set for a November release.<ref name="yh japanese"/>

===Art and game design===
Despite being an inexperienced [[pixel art|pixel artist]], Johnston drew the majority of the game's art, choosing the style as it was easy to iterate upon. Much of the game was developed in a public library, influencing its artistic direction and plot; he borrowed vintage books from the collections to use as references. Its visual design was inspired by games such as ''[[Mother 3]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening]]''. Each character was designed to have a distinct look and silhouette. Buildings were "white-boxed", with their layout being designed first, akin to actual construction.<ref name="tr interview"/><ref name="lv interview"/><ref name="gm blog"/>

The timing-based elements of the game's combat were inspired by ''[[Super Mario RPG]]'' and the ''[[Mario & Luigi]]'' games, among others. Johnston designed each party member's moves so they could be used in many different ways, while still being fundamental to the character, comparing this philosophy to [[Mario]]'s basic skillset. As he disliked [[Magic (game terminology)|magic points]], he decided to make magical spells free to use during combat.<ref name="tr interview"/><ref name="lv interview"/>

''[[Steven Universe]]'' composers [[Aivi & Surasshu]] worked on the soundtrack of the game alongside Sabrielle Augustin,<ref name="hg review"/> who helped finish the soundtrack after Aivi suffered an injury leaving them unable to complete some work.<ref name="cb interview"/> As the game was inspired by the landscape of Canada, some tracks incorporate elements from [[Canadian folk music]].<ref name="se interview"/> They also chose an ambient style atypical of [[video game music]], a decision influenced by ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild]]'', the game's narrative elements, and their experience composing for TV shows. Vocals were incorporated into some of the songs after seeing their successful usage in games like ''[[Transistor (video game)|Transistor]]''; initially, the composers wanted to do a vocal song for each character, but were unable to find a place for all of them in the story.<ref name="hg interview"/>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
{{Video game reviews
| MC = NS: 73/100<ref name="mc switch"/><br />PC: 69/100<ref name="mc pc"/>
| MC = NS: 93/100<ref name="MC Switch">{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/hades | title = Hades for Switch Reviews | publisher = [[Metacritic]] | accessdate = November 19, 2020 }}</ref><br />PC: 92/100<ref name="MC PC">{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/hades | title = Hades for PC Reviews | publisher = [[Metacritic]] | accessdate = September 21, 2020 }}</ref>
| GSpot = 6/10<ref name="gs review"/>
| Destruct = 9/10<ref name="dtoid review">{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-hades-603497.phtml | title = Review: Hades | first= Jordon | last = Devore | date = September 20, 2020 | accessdate = September 20, 2020 | work = [[Destructoid]] }}</ref>
| HCG = 4/5<ref name="hg review"/>
| GI = 8.5/10<ref name="gi review">{{cite web | url = https://www.gameinformer.com/review/hades/hades-review-the-highs-and-lows-of-repetition | title = Hades Review – The Highs And Lows Of Repetition | first = Matt | last = Miller | date= September 17, 2020 | accessdate= September 17, 2020 | work = [[Game Informer]] }}</ref>
| rev1 = [[Enthusiast Gaming|''Siliconera'']]
| GSpot = 9/10<ref name="gamespot review">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hades-review-however-long-it-takes/1900-6417568/| title = Hades Review – However Long It Takes | first= Suriel | last= Vazquez | date = September 18, 2020 | accessdate = September 20, 2020 | work = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref>
| rev1Score = 7/10<ref name="se review"/>
| IGN = 9/10<ref name="ign review">{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/hades-review | title = Hades Review | first = Nick | last = Lemon | date = September 17, 2020 | accessdate = September 20, 2020 | work = [[IGN]] }}</ref>
| PCGUS = 90/100<ref name="pcgamer review">{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/hades-review/ | title = Hades Review | first = Jody | last = MacGregor | date = September 18, 2020 | accessdate = September 20, 2020 | work = [[PC Gamer]] }}</ref>
}}
}}


According to gaming review aggregator [[Metacritic]], ''Ikenfell'''s reception was mixed. Both ''GameSpot'' and ''Siliconera'' described it as having potential, but being let down by flaws in the story and combat.<ref name="se review"/><ref name="gs review"/> Other sites were more positive, like ''Hardcore Gamer'', which said it was "a trip well worth taking", and ''GameRant'', which described it as having the potential to be a "cultural touchstone".<ref name="gr review"/><ref name="hg review"/>
''Hades'' received "universal acclaim", according to [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MC Switch" /><ref name="MC PC" /> During its nearly two year long early access ''Hades'' sold seven hundred thousand copies. Within three days of its official release ''Hades'' had sold an additional three hundred thousand copies for a sales total of over one million.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hades-has-sold-1-million-copies-nearly-one-third-sold-in-last-few-days/1100-6482388/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f | title= Hades Has Sold 1 Million Copies, Nearly One-Third Sold In Last Few Days | first = Gabe | last = Gurwin | date = September 20, 2020 | accessdate = September 20, 2020 | work = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref> In particular, critics praised ''Hades'' for it combination of smooth gameplay, deep loot systems, and captivating story, remarking that the game offered dozens of hours of unique gameplay.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gilliam|first=Ryan|date=2020-09-24|title=Hades is a near-flawless romp through hell after two years of early access|url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2020/9/24/21453043/hades-review-switch-windows-early-access-supergiant-roguelite-impressions|access-date=2020-11-08|website=Polygon|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Donlan|first=Christian|date=2020-09-17|title=Hades review – Of myth and mayhem|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-17-hades-review-of-myth-and-mayhem|access-date=2020-11-08|website=Eurogamer|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Castello|first=Jay|date=2020-09-17|title=Hades review|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/09/17/hades-review/|access-date=2020-11-08|website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|language=en-US}}</ref>


Although reviewers generally liked the game's combat system, they felt it could be frustrating at times.<ref name="se review"/> ''Hardcore Gamer'' reviewer Kyle LeClair described it as "challenging and fun",<ref name="hg review"/> and Jason Rochlin of ''GameRant'' commended the game's tactical variety and complexity.<ref name="gr review"/> PJ O'Reilly of ''Nintendo Life'' pointed out the "impressive range of enemy types" among other elements as contributing to the game's strategical depth.<ref name="nl review"/> However, LeClair, ''Slant'' magazine, and ''GameSpot'' reviewer Hope Corrigan all criticised the excessive variability of the timing-based attack system, although multiple reviewers pointed out that the game provides an optional setting that allows players to enable easier combat.<ref name="gs review"/><ref name="nl review"/><ref name="sl review"/> ''Slant'' also complained about the combat design, stating that it involved "selecting an attack, and then cancelling that move to place them in a different space once you see that they’re not properly positioned".<ref name="sl review"/>
== Notes ==
{{noteslist}}


The story also received both praise and criticism, with reviewers praising it for its in-depth examination of characters, but some also claimed it was too derivative of ''[[Harry Potter]]'' and unrealistic at times.<ref name="se review"/> LeClair described it as an "engrossing piece of work",<ref name="hg review"/> but somewhat unoriginal. Corrigan was more negative, describing it as "unusual",<ref name="gs review"/> criticising implausible and on-the-nose elements in the plot, and the incongruous manner in which [[LGBT]] issues were included. Conversely, both Rochlin and ''Slant'' lauded these elements, with the former stating that the game wore "its progressiveness on its sleeve" and provided a much-needed focus on the importance of relationships.<ref name="gr review"/><ref name="sl review"/>
== References ==
{{reflist}}


Reviewers largely praised the game's art and music, noting the quality of the chiptune tracks.<ref name="se review"/> However, reactions to the vocal segments were more disparate, with LeClair stating that they "enhance the mood even further",<ref name="hg review"/> but Corrigan calling them poor quality, remarking that she was tempted to turn down the volume.<ref name="gs review"/> O'Reilly criticised the pixel artstyle, calling it overused.<ref name="nl review"/>
== External links ==
* {{official|http://www.ikenfell.com}}


===Awards===
{{HappyRayGames}}
''Ikenfell'' was nominated for several awards, including categories in the [[32nd GLAAD Media Awards]] and the [[SXSW Gaming Awards|SXSW Gaming Awards 2021]].<ref name="gl award"/><ref name="sx award"/>

{| class="wikitable"
!Award
!Category
!Result
!{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [[32nd GLAAD Media Awards]]
| [[GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Video Game|Outstanding Video Game]]
| {{Nominated}}
| <ref name="gl award"/>
|-
| [[Gayming Magazine#Gayming Awards|Gayming Awards 2021]]
| Best LGBTQ Indie Game
| {{Nominated}}
| <ref name="gy award"/>
|-
| [[SXSW Gaming Awards|SXSW Gaming Awards 2021]]
| Indie Game of the Year
| {{Nominated}}
| <ref name="sx award"/>
|-
| Canadian Game Awards
| Best Debut Indie
| {{Nominated}}
| <ref name="ca award"/>
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist|40em|refs=
<ref name="mc switch">{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/ikenfell/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch | title = Ikenfell for Switch Reviews | publisher = [[Metacritic]] | access-date = February 13, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="mc pc">{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/ikenfell/critic-reviews/?platform=pc | title = Ikenfell for PC Reviews | publisher = [[Metacritic]] | access-date = February 13, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="gs review">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ikenfell-review/1900-6417588/ | title = Ikenfell Review - GameSpot | first= Hope | last = Corrigan | date = October 16, 2020 | access-date = February 13, 2021 | work = [[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
<ref name="hg review">{{cite web | url = https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-ikenfell/389311/| title = Review: Ikenfell - Hardcore Gamer | first = Kyle | last = LeClair | date= October 8, 2020 | access-date= February 13, 2021 | work = Hardcore Gamer}}</ref>
<ref name="se review">{{cite web | url = https://www.siliconera.com/review-ikenfell-could-cast-a-spell-on-players/ | title = Review: Ikenfell Could Cast a Spell on Players - Siliconera | first = Jenni | last = Lada | date= October 8, 2020 | access-date= February 13, 2021 | work = [[Enthusiast Gaming|Siliconera]]}}</ref>
<ref name="nl review">{{cite web | url = https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/ikenfell| title = Ikenfell Review (Switch eShop) | first = PJ | last = O'Reilly | date= October 14, 2020 | access-date= February 13, 2021 | work = [[Nintendo Life]]}}</ref>
<ref name="gr review">{{cite web |url = https://gamerant.com/ikenfell-review/| title = Ikenfell Review| first = Jason | last = Rochlin | date= October 10, 2020 | access-date= February 14, 2021 | work = GameRant}}</ref>
<ref name="sl review">{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/games/review-ikenfell-has-a-narrative-that-considerably-out-charms-its-combat/|title = Review: Ikenfell Has a Narrative that Considerably Out-Charms Its Combat| first = Steven | last = Scaife | date= October 8, 2020 | access-date= February 13, 2021 | work = Slant}}</ref>
<ref name="gl award">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/glaad-media-awards-32nd-annual-deadlines-new-hollywood-podcast-representation-inclusion-diversity-lgtbq-1234681899/ |title=GLAAD Unveils Nominees For 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards; Deadline's New Hollywood Podcast Honored With Special Recognition Award |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=January 28, 2021 |access-date=January 29, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="gy award">{{cite web |url=https://gaymingmag.com/awards/ |title=Gayming Awards 2021 - Gayming Magazine|work=[[Gayming Magazine]]|access-date=February 15, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="sx award">{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/sxsw-gaming-awards-nominees-2021/|title=SXSW Gaming Awards 2021 Nominees Announced|first=Charlie|last=Ridgely|work=Comicbook|date=February 16, 2021|access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="ca award">{{cite web |url=https://cgameawards.ca/here-are-all-the-canadian-game-awards-2021-nominees/|title=Here are all the Canadian Game Awards 2021 nominees|work=Canadian Game Awards|date=March 15, 2021|access-date=March 22, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="self">{{Cite video game|title= Ikenfell|developer= Happy Ray Games|publisher=[[Humble Bundle#Publishing|Humble Games]]|date=October 8, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="ks gamepass">{{cite web |url=https://www.trueachievements.com/n37997/microsoft-highlights-over-20-idxbox-titles-during-e3-conference|title=Microsoft Highlights Over 20 ID@Xbox Titles During E3 Conference|last=Mills |first=Andy|publisher=TrueAchievements|date=June 10, 2019 |access-date= February 13, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="tr interview">{{cite web |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/features/ikenfell-interview-super-mario-RPG|title=Ikenfell Takes Us to Magic School, Super Mario RPG Style|last=Suther|first=Austin|publisher=TechRaptor|date=September 21, 2020|access-date= February 13, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="gr interview">{{cite web |url=https://gamerant.com/ikenfell-video-game-representation/|title=Ikenfell Writer Speaks to Representation in Video Games|last=Mathys|first=Quinn|publisher=GameRant|date=October 18, 2020|access-date= February 13, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="cb interview">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/ikenfell-composer-aivi-surasshu-sabrielle-augustin-interview/|title= Ikenfell Composers Discuss Steven Universe and Their Inspirations |last=Corbett|first=Noelle|publisher=CBR|date=October 25, 2020|access-date= February 13, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="hg interview">{{cite web |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/features/interviews/interview-with-ikenfell-composers-aivi-surasshu/391106/|title= Ikenfell Composers aivi & surasshu Talk Influences, Marriage Fitting Game's Vibe|last=LeClair|first=Kyle|publisher=Hardcore Gamer|date=October 30, 2020|access-date= February 13, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="se interview">{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/aivi-tran-talks-about-making-ikenfells-soundtrack/|title= Aivi Tran Talks About Making Ikenfell's Soundtrack|last=Lada|first=Jenni|publisher=Siliconera|date=November 11, 2020|access-date= February 13, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="lv interview">{{cite web |url=https://80.lv/articles/ikenfell-bringing-magic-to-pixel-art-games/|title=Ikenfell: Bringing Magic to Pixel Art Games|last=Tokarev|first=Kiril|publisher=80.lv|date=November 11, 2016|access-date= February 14, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="kt">{{cite web |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2020/10/cosy-rpg-ikenfell-uses-cats-as-save-points/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024162338/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2020/10/cosy-rpg-ikenfell-uses-cats-as-save-points/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 24, 2020|title=Cosy RPG Ikenfell Uses Cats As Save Points
|last=Walker|first=Ian|publisher=[[Kotaku]]|date=October 23, 2020|access-date= February 13, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="gm blog">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/the-art-visual-language-of-ikenfell|title=Chevy Johnston's Blog - The Art & Visual Language of Ikenfell|last=Johnston|first=Chevy Ray|publisher=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]]|date=July 6, 2017|access-date= February 13, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="tw origins">{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/ChevyRay/status/1352687920818253824/|title=Chevy Ray on Twitter: "from a document with a big list of game concepts... "Little Witch" would eventually become Ikenfell. you can see that uh... the premise and story got a lot less depressing than my original"|last=Johnston|first=Chevy Ray|publisher=[[Twitter]]|date=January 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122184155/https://twitter.com/ChevyRay/status/1352687920818253824/|archive-date=January 22, 2021|access-date= February 13, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="engine">{{cite web |url=http://ikenfell.com/tools/|title=Development Details|last=Johnston|first=Chevy Ray|access-date= February 14, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="nl physical">{{cite web|title=Wizard School RPG Ikenfell Is Getting A Physical Edition|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/09/wizard_school_rpg_ikenfell_is_getting_a_physical_edition|last=Gray|first=Kate|date=September 23, 2021|access-date= September 24, 2021}}
</ref>
<ref name="yh japanese">{{cite web|title=魔法学園RPG『Ikenfell』の日本語版が配信決定。問題児の生徒6人が闇の真実を解き明かすため、校内を探索し怪物や教師たちと戦う|url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/24a42ff9250b6e1d512456f80326ff437ca25662|website=[[Yahoo! Japan]]|date=September 23, 2021|access-date=September 24, 2021|lang=ja|archive-date=March 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306235310/https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/24a42ff9250b6e1d512456f80326ff437ca25662|url-status=dead}}</ref>

}}

==External links==
* {{official|http://www.ikenfell.com}}


[[Category:2020 video games]]
[[Category:2020 video games]]
[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:JRPG video games]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related video games]]
[[Category:LGBT-related video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Switch games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Switch games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the Canada]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Canada]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Indie games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4 games]]
[[Category:Xbox Cloud Gaming games]]
[[Category:Xbox One games]]
[[Category:Xbox One games]]
[[Category:macOS games]]
[[Category:macOS games]]
[[Category:Humble Games games]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Grant Henry]]
[[Category:Video games set in schools]]
[[Category:Video games about magic]]

Latest revision as of 18:01, 12 November 2024

Ikenfell
A depiction of the words Ikenfell overlaid atop the main player party members in the library of Ikenfell's titular setting
Developer(s)Happy Ray Games
Publisher(s)Humble Games
Programmer(s)Chevy Ray Johnston
Artist(s)
  • Chevy Ray Johnston
  • Hunter Russell
Writer(s)
  • Chevy Ray Johnston
  • Joanna Blackhart
  • Jeriko Green
  • Aivi Tran
Composer(s)
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: October 8, 2020
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Ikenfell (/ˈɪkɛnfɛl/ IK-en-fel) is a role-playing video game developed by Happy Ray Games and published by Humble Games. It was released for Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on October 8, 2020.

The tactical combat system involves players battling on an isometric grid, but also includes timing-based elements akin to the Paper Mario series. In the story, the player initially controls Maritte Hildegaard, a non-magical teenage girl who journeys to the titular magical school Ikenfell, in an attempt to investigate the disappearance of her witch sister Safina. While trying to enter the school, she suddenly gains magical powers, concurring with mysterious changes in magic that some link to the mysterious Dark Fold.

Reviews from critics were mixed. Some reviewers largely praised the game's combat and story, while others described it as having potential, but let down by flaws in those systems.

Gameplay

[edit]
A battle in the Garden levels of Ikenfell, with the player party attacking a group of enemies.
Ikenfell's battle system features player characters (here, Rook, Pertisia, and Petronella) on an isometric grid.

Ikenfell is a turn-based tactical role-playing video game.[1][2] It uses various 2.5D perspectives to display characters and the game world.[3] Like older Paper Mario games and Super Mario RPG, the outcome of both player and enemy moves during combat depends on timed button presses. The playing field is composed of a grid, upon which both the player and enemies can move, with their position affecting what moves can be performed and how efficient they are. As the game advances, the attack patterns and timing become more complex, providing greater difficulty. For accessibility, there are options to both partially and completely disable combat timing.[4]

Characters are managed with a party system; although the player initially only controls Maritte, they later gain control of other characters, each with their own unique skillset.[5] Three characters in the player's battle can engage in battle at any time; these can be changed at save points (which are represented by cats).[6]

Like most traditional Japanese-style RPGs, gameplay also consists of parts outside battle which characters can navigate.[1] Much of Ikenfell's gameplay involves these, which include exploration, adventure, and puzzle-solving portions. There are no random encounters and as such fightable enemies are always visible in the world. Battle only ensues if the party reaches one, allowing the player to evade combat.[7][5]

Plot

[edit]

Players initially control Maritte Hildegaard, a teenager who travels to the magical school of Ikenfell to find her sister Safina, who has gone missing since summer break. Although she is initially non-magical, she soon mysteriously develops pyromancy while trying to enter Ikenfell, after which she learns bizarre and unprecedented magical events began occurring across the school grounds not long after the students left for the break, and thus the school is currently on lockdown. She encounters non-binary alchemist Petronella, a close friend of Safina, who has had an emotional breakdown due to the latter's disappearance, and tells Maritte of a secret passage of Safina's they use to get into the school.

Once inside, they discover Safina's dorm room blocked by a magic seal. After fighting lightning magician Gilda, who is attracted to Maritte, they join up with fellow student Rook. With Rook and Safina's rival Pertisia, they successfully enter it by disguising Maritte as her sister. Inside, they retrieve the Prism Heart, a creation of Safina that allows the user to see through deception, which she had used for research with older student Ima. Meeting with Ima and Gilda, they go to the Summerstone, a large orb which imprisons the Dark Fold, a destructive wave of magic seemingly precipitating the strange events. At the stone, they successfully fight experienced coven magician Bax and his partner Ibn, who are also looking for Safina. Using the Prism Heart, they reveal that the Summerstone is merely an illusion, and Safina destroyed the actual stone.

Believing her sister wanted to free the Dark Fold, Maritte has a panic attack and rids herself of her magic, and decides to leave Ikenfell. Ima asks the school's raven deity to remove Maritte and get help, but it refuses to do either, instead sending the party to the ancient ruins of old Ikenfell. There, they discover that a squad tried to defend an important plant, the Sapling, from the Dark Fold. Aeldra, the current headmistress of Ikenfell, was the only survivor, using her friends' magic powers to construct the Summerstone, imprisoning both the Dark Fold and the Sapling. Motivated by getting answers and her friends, Maritte regains her magic. In the library's archives, her party finds an old book that explains the cycle of the two magical seasons. Every thousand years, the Sapling dies, causing a new generation of magic to arise, and the old generation to be forgotten; this process is the cause of Ikenfell's unusual magical events, and trying to prevent the Sapling’s death would lead to "great catastrophe", in repetition of the fall of old Ikenfell a thousand years ago. The deaths of her friends, however, is causing Aeldra uncontrollable grief, which she can only abate through expelling her pain into a cauldron, and has wished to preserve the Sapling in fears that freeing it will also free the Dark Fold: Safina, having found out the truth of the Sapling, had tried to stop her.

Persuading several professors to oppose her, they decide to confront Aeldra, as the school is slowly collapsing. The party arrives at the Spelltower, where Aeldra is guarding the Sapling. Finding the doors blocked, Pertisia reveals she created a secret passage like Safina's, but suffered injuries from it that traumatized her, and she uses her powers to create a new passage. As they try convincing Aeldra to stop her vain attempt to preserve the Sapling, her stress breaks her cauldron, overwhelming her and making her lose contact with reality. Convinced she is defeating the Dark Fold, she kills Bax and attacks Maritte's party; the party defeats and awakens her from her trance. Distraught at the loss of his lover Bax, Ibn steals the Sapling. Revealing his immense power in the spiritual realm, his anger makes him lose his sense of self and become a monster. After defeating Ibn, the party uses Petronella's magic to revive Bax, who calms Ibn back to normality, and they free the Sapling.

Petronella and Safina join the coven as repayment for saving Ibn and Bax. Aeldra retires, leaving the role of headmistress to Ima and dueling teacher Radegund, who begin research into the new knowledge created by the next magical generation. In the epilogue, Rook and Gilda travel to distant lands to make new discoveries. Pertisia resumes her old music career and begins a relationship with Maritte, and they both agree to go on the journey as well.

Development

[edit]

Before developing Ikenfell, Chevy Ray Johnston, the game's lead developer, had worked as a contract programmer for Bandai Namco, as well as on a variety of indie games.[8] He had developed a custom engine,[9] but failed to complete any of his game ideas. After reading Rainbow Rowell's young adult novel Carry On, he was inspired to make a video game about a magic school using his tools. Originally, the game's premise was based around a witch completing a final quest before dying of illness.[10] It was also an action RPG, but Johnston decided the space required for combat limited level design.[3]

Johnston's custom C# engine, based on top of SDL2 and OpenGL, allowed him to port it to a wide variety of platforms. The engine also included Lua scripting for control puzzles, events, and scenes; and a GUI frontend, including a custom map and scene editor, which were used to accelerate the development process.[2][9]

After a few years into development, the game was funded via Kickstarter in 2016.[2] Later, Johnston also brought on consultant Joanna Blackhart to ensure that the game's portrayal of LGBT characters was accurate and inoffensive, a process that led to a "rewriting" of parts of the story.[11] It was featured at the 2019 Electronic Entertainment Expo as part of its inclusion in the Xbox Game Pass,[12] before being released on October 8, 2020.[13]

In September 2021, Limited Run Games announced a physical release of the game, with pre-orders beginning on the 24th.[14] A Japanese localisation produced by 8-4 was also revealed that month, set for a November release.[15]

Art and game design

[edit]

Despite being an inexperienced pixel artist, Johnston drew the majority of the game's art, choosing the style as it was easy to iterate upon. Much of the game was developed in a public library, influencing its artistic direction and plot; he borrowed vintage books from the collections to use as references. Its visual design was inspired by games such as Mother 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. Each character was designed to have a distinct look and silhouette. Buildings were "white-boxed", with their layout being designed first, akin to actual construction.[2][8][3]

The timing-based elements of the game's combat were inspired by Super Mario RPG and the Mario & Luigi games, among others. Johnston designed each party member's moves so they could be used in many different ways, while still being fundamental to the character, comparing this philosophy to Mario's basic skillset. As he disliked magic points, he decided to make magical spells free to use during combat.[2][8]

Steven Universe composers Aivi & Surasshu worked on the soundtrack of the game alongside Sabrielle Augustin,[1] who helped finish the soundtrack after Aivi suffered an injury leaving them unable to complete some work.[16] As the game was inspired by the landscape of Canada, some tracks incorporate elements from Canadian folk music.[17] They also chose an ambient style atypical of video game music, a decision influenced by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the game's narrative elements, and their experience composing for TV shows. Vocals were incorporated into some of the songs after seeing their successful usage in games like Transistor; initially, the composers wanted to do a vocal song for each character, but were unable to find a place for all of them in the story.[18]

Reception

[edit]

According to gaming review aggregator Metacritic, Ikenfell's reception was mixed. Both GameSpot and Siliconera described it as having potential, but being let down by flaws in the story and combat.[7][4] Other sites were more positive, like Hardcore Gamer, which said it was "a trip well worth taking", and GameRant, which described it as having the potential to be a "cultural touchstone".[20][1]

Although reviewers generally liked the game's combat system, they felt it could be frustrating at times.[7] Hardcore Gamer reviewer Kyle LeClair described it as "challenging and fun",[1] and Jason Rochlin of GameRant commended the game's tactical variety and complexity.[20] PJ O'Reilly of Nintendo Life pointed out the "impressive range of enemy types" among other elements as contributing to the game's strategical depth.[21] However, LeClair, Slant magazine, and GameSpot reviewer Hope Corrigan all criticised the excessive variability of the timing-based attack system, although multiple reviewers pointed out that the game provides an optional setting that allows players to enable easier combat.[4][21][22] Slant also complained about the combat design, stating that it involved "selecting an attack, and then cancelling that move to place them in a different space once you see that they’re not properly positioned".[22]

The story also received both praise and criticism, with reviewers praising it for its in-depth examination of characters, but some also claimed it was too derivative of Harry Potter and unrealistic at times.[7] LeClair described it as an "engrossing piece of work",[1] but somewhat unoriginal. Corrigan was more negative, describing it as "unusual",[4] criticising implausible and on-the-nose elements in the plot, and the incongruous manner in which LGBT issues were included. Conversely, both Rochlin and Slant lauded these elements, with the former stating that the game wore "its progressiveness on its sleeve" and provided a much-needed focus on the importance of relationships.[20][22]

Reviewers largely praised the game's art and music, noting the quality of the chiptune tracks.[7] However, reactions to the vocal segments were more disparate, with LeClair stating that they "enhance the mood even further",[1] but Corrigan calling them poor quality, remarking that she was tempted to turn down the volume.[4] O'Reilly criticised the pixel artstyle, calling it overused.[21]

Awards

[edit]

Ikenfell was nominated for several awards, including categories in the 32nd GLAAD Media Awards and the SXSW Gaming Awards 2021.[23][24]

Award Category Result Ref.
32nd GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding Video Game Nominated [23]
Gayming Awards 2021 Best LGBTQ Indie Game Nominated [25]
SXSW Gaming Awards 2021 Indie Game of the Year Nominated [24]
Canadian Game Awards Best Debut Indie Nominated [26]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h LeClair, Kyle (October 8, 2020). "Review: Ikenfell - Hardcore Gamer". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Suther, Austin (September 21, 2020). "Ikenfell Takes Us to Magic School, Super Mario RPG Style". TechRaptor. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Johnston, Chevy Ray (July 6, 2017). "Chevy Johnston's Blog - The Art & Visual Language of Ikenfell". Game Developer. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Corrigan, Hope (October 16, 2020). "Ikenfell Review - GameSpot". GameSpot. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Happy Ray Games (October 8, 2020). Ikenfell. Humble Games.
  6. ^ Walker, Ian (October 23, 2020). "Cosy RPG Ikenfell Uses Cats As Save Points". Kotaku. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Lada, Jenni (October 8, 2020). "Review: Ikenfell Could Cast a Spell on Players - Siliconera". Siliconera. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c Tokarev, Kiril (November 11, 2016). "Ikenfell: Bringing Magic to Pixel Art Games". 80.lv. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Johnston, Chevy Ray. "Development Details". Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  10. ^ Johnston, Chevy Ray (January 23, 2021). "Chevy Ray on Twitter: "from a document with a big list of game concepts... "Little Witch" would eventually become Ikenfell. you can see that uh... the premise and story got a lot less depressing than my original"". Twitter. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  11. ^ Mathys, Quinn (October 18, 2020). "Ikenfell Writer Speaks to Representation in Video Games". GameRant. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  12. ^ Mills, Andy (June 10, 2019). "Microsoft Highlights Over 20 ID@Xbox Titles During E3 Conference". TrueAchievements. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Ikenfell for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  14. ^ Gray, Kate (September 23, 2021). "Wizard School RPG Ikenfell Is Getting A Physical Edition". Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  15. ^ "魔法学園RPG『Ikenfell』の日本語版が配信決定。問題児の生徒6人が闇の真実を解き明かすため、校内を探索し怪物や教師たちと戦う". Yahoo! Japan (in Japanese). September 23, 2021. Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  16. ^ Corbett, Noelle (October 25, 2020). "Ikenfell Composers Discuss Steven Universe and Their Inspirations". CBR. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  17. ^ Lada, Jenni (November 11, 2020). "Aivi Tran Talks About Making Ikenfell's Soundtrack". Siliconera. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  18. ^ LeClair, Kyle (October 30, 2020). "Ikenfell Composers aivi & surasshu Talk Influences, Marriage Fitting Game's Vibe". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  19. ^ "Ikenfell for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  20. ^ a b c Rochlin, Jason (October 10, 2020). "Ikenfell Review". GameRant. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  21. ^ a b c O'Reilly, PJ (October 14, 2020). "Ikenfell Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo Life. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  22. ^ a b c Scaife, Steven (October 8, 2020). "Review: Ikenfell Has a Narrative that Considerably Out-Charms Its Combat". Slant. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  23. ^ a b Ramos, Dino-Ray (January 28, 2021). "GLAAD Unveils Nominees For 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards; Deadline's New Hollywood Podcast Honored With Special Recognition Award". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  24. ^ a b Ridgely, Charlie (February 16, 2021). "SXSW Gaming Awards 2021 Nominees Announced". Comicbook. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  25. ^ "Gayming Awards 2021 - Gayming Magazine". Gayming Magazine. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  26. ^ "Here are all the Canadian Game Awards 2021 nominees". Canadian Game Awards. March 15, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
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