After going through my library of games, thumbing through a bunch that I've barely touched I decided to put King's Field: The Ancient City in. I've gotta say, this is the most fun I've had with a game all summer.
The game starts you out just outside of the Ancient City, a land that has been cursed until the idol that had been taken from that land is returned. You, the player, possess this idol. It was given to you a night of a storm by a mysterious hooded traveler. From the onset you really don’t know much of anything. Why you accepted the idol, why you then took it upon yourself to return it, let alone who you even are.
Then I died within 30 seconds. The ground beneath me crumbled and I fell into a pit of lava. Probably the fastest I’ve ever died in any game, let alone an RPG.
If you open up the menu you’ll find that you don’t have a weapon to defend yourself with, let alone any money to buy one with. The game does a wonderful job crafting a feeling of isolation. The only thing in your possession is the Idol of Sorrow, which you must return to its proper place unless you want certain tragedy to befall your main character.
Inside of the equipment screen you’ll see what might resemble a black mannequin. Combined with this game being one that is set in first person, King’s Field creates the illusion that you are the main character, and not just playing the game in someone else’s shoes. While playing the game, you truly feel like the experience is yours and I never once felt like I was just going through the motions (Japanese RPGs).
I feel the biggest reason why people have ignored King’s Field is because of The Elder Scrolls. This game is not The Elder Scrolls, nor does it even try to pretend to be. The closest thing King’s Field resembles is maybe Metroid Prime. But it's not. This game is King's Field, and an experience all in itself--but only if you care to apprecaite it. Because this game is all about the atmosphere it creates for the player.
After playing a game like Odin Sphere where reviewers went ape**** over it just because it proved a point, that “OMG 2D is back” but had some severe design, game play, and technical flaws it’s a big disappointment to see a game like this that has practically gone unnoticed.
The game starts you out just outside of the Ancient City, a land that has been cursed until the idol that had been taken from that land is returned. You, the player, possess this idol. It was given to you a night of a storm by a mysterious hooded traveler. From the onset you really don’t know much of anything. Why you accepted the idol, why you then took it upon yourself to return it, let alone who you even are.
Then I died within 30 seconds. The ground beneath me crumbled and I fell into a pit of lava. Probably the fastest I’ve ever died in any game, let alone an RPG.
If you open up the menu you’ll find that you don’t have a weapon to defend yourself with, let alone any money to buy one with. The game does a wonderful job crafting a feeling of isolation. The only thing in your possession is the Idol of Sorrow, which you must return to its proper place unless you want certain tragedy to befall your main character.
Inside of the equipment screen you’ll see what might resemble a black mannequin. Combined with this game being one that is set in first person, King’s Field creates the illusion that you are the main character, and not just playing the game in someone else’s shoes. While playing the game, you truly feel like the experience is yours and I never once felt like I was just going through the motions (Japanese RPGs).
I feel the biggest reason why people have ignored King’s Field is because of The Elder Scrolls. This game is not The Elder Scrolls, nor does it even try to pretend to be. The closest thing King’s Field resembles is maybe Metroid Prime. But it's not. This game is King's Field, and an experience all in itself--but only if you care to apprecaite it. Because this game is all about the atmosphere it creates for the player.
After playing a game like Odin Sphere where reviewers went ape**** over it just because it proved a point, that “OMG 2D is back” but had some severe design, game play, and technical flaws it’s a big disappointment to see a game like this that has practically gone unnoticed.
Comment