Ikenfell: Difference between revisions
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[[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| Playable characters on the right side of the screen (top to bottom) Maritte, Petronella, and Rook in a battle against a thieving hat-witch.]] |
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''Ikenfell'' is a turn-based [[Role-playing video game#Tactical_RPGs|tactical role-playing video game]].<ref name="hg review"/> Like classic ''[[Paper Mario]]'' games, the outcome of both player and enemy moves 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. |
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| ⚫ | Like most traditional [[History of Eastern role-playing video games|Japanese-style RPGs]], gameplay also consists of portions outside battle which characters can navigate. Much of Ikenfell's gameplay is outside monster battles; this includes exploration, adventure, and puzzle-solving portions. 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, allowing the player to evade battles if so desired. |
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| ⚫ | 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. |
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| ⚫ | 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. |
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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. |
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== Plot == |
== Plot == |
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Revision as of 06:52, 13 February 2021
| Ikenfell | |
|---|---|
| File:Ikenfell cover art.png Cover art for Ikenfell | |
| Developer(s) | Happy Ray Games |
| Publisher(s) | Humble Games |
| Artist(s) | Chevy Ray Johnston |
| Writer(s) |
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| Composer(s) | Aivi & Surasshu |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release |
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| Genre(s) | Role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Ikenfell is an independently-produced role-playing video game developed by Happy Ray Games and published by Humble Games. It was released for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, and Xbox One on October 9, 2020. In the game, the player 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.
Gameplay
Ikenfell is a turn-based tactical role-playing video game.[1] Like classic Paper Mario games, the outcome of both player and enemy moves 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.
Like most traditional Japanese-style RPGs, gameplay also consists of portions outside battle which characters can navigate. Much of Ikenfell's gameplay is outside monster battles; this includes exploration, adventure, and puzzle-solving portions. 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, allowing the player to evade battles if so desired.
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.
Plot
Players initially control Maritte Hildegaard, a non-magical teenager who travels to the magical school of Ikenfell to find her sister Safina, who has gone missing since summer break. While she attempts to gain access to the school, she mysteriously develops pyromancy, then encounters non-binary alchemist Petronella, a close friend of Safina, who has had an emotional breakdown due to the latter's disappearance. Meanwhile, bizarre and unprecedented magical events begin to occur across the school grounds, forcing it into lockdown.
Development
Ikenfell was developed in a custom C Sharp (programming language) engine written on top of SDL2 and OpenGL.[citation needed]
Reception
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | NS: 73/100[2] PC: 69/100[3] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Hardcore Gamer | 4/5[1] |
| Siliconera | 7/10[5] |
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.[5][4] Other sites were more positive, like Hardcore Gamer, which said it was "a trip well worth taking".
Although reviewers generally liked the game's combat system, they felt it could be frustrating at times.[5][4] Hardcore Gamer reviewer Kyle LeClair described it as "challenging and fun". However, both LeClair and GameSpot reviewer Hope Corrigan criticised the excessive variability of the timing-based attack system.[1], though Corrigan praised the game's use of options to enable easier combat.
The story also received both praise and criticism, with reviewers praising it for its in-depth examination of characters, but also claiming it was too derivative of Harry Potter and unrealistic at times.[5][4] LeClair described it as an "engrossing piece of work",[1] but somewhat unoriginal. Conversely, Corrigan described it as unusual, criticising implausible and on-the-nose elements in the plot, and the incongruous manner in which LGBT issues were included.
Ikenfell was nominated for the 32nd GLAAD Media Awards' Outstanding Video Game category in 2021.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d LeClair, Kyle (October 8, 2020). "Review: Ikenfell - Hardcore Gamer". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ "Ikenfell for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ "Ikenfell for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Corrigan, Hope (October 16, 2020). "Ikenfell Review - GameSpot". GameSpot. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Lada, Jenni (October 8, 2020). "Review: Ikenfell Could Cast a Spell on Players - Siliconera". Siliconera. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ 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.
External links
Category:2020 video games Category:Role-playing video games Category:LGBT-related video games Category:Nintendo Switch games Category:Video games developed in Canada Category:Windows games Category:Single-player video games Category:PlayStation 4 games Category:Xbox One games Category:macOS games