Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection review

It’s undeniable that the game Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection bears a striking resemblance to a well-known Nintendo franchise, specifically the feel and atmosphere of Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom. Instead of subtly displaying its inspirations, it boldly announces them from every corner, while also embodying Link’s character in many ways. The stamina system, the appearance of the main character, and even certain runic symbols found within the roguelike dungeons seem strikingly similar to those seen in Hyrule.

Instead of saying “But this 3D remake of the earlier pixelated dungeon crawler is a distinct and (presumably) weaker version compared to the mentioned classics,” you could rephrase it as “However, unlike its predecessors, this 3D makeover of the original pixelated game offers a unique and possibly less impressive take on the classic dungeon crawler genre.”

The story follows Tama, who embarks on an emotionally charged journey to resurrect her cherished friend Koko. The compelling narrative and anime-inspired cutscenes stand out as the most captivating aspects of Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection. Notably, the opening animated movie is visually stunning, and the art used in the vignettes and static storyline panels is exceptionally well-crafted.

Although the gameplay mechanics are similar to the original, the shift to 3D introduces a new atmosphere and incorporates platforming elements. Additionally, there are unlockable boss rush and challenge modes available, along with local co-op play.

The main gameplay involves progressing through multiple levels, battling adversaries and gathering treasure. Upon acquiring the central sword, you can revive fallen foes to join your side in battles. You can store up to three allies at a time and call them into action with a button press. This system has great potential and is effectively used in games like Ni No Kuni or Dragon’s Dogma’s Pawn system.

As a gamer, I’ve found myself struggling at times with the variety of characters reminiscent of Zelda or Dragon Quest, especially when it comes to keeping up with Tama. Often, they seem to lag behind or get stuck while navigating through the intricate labyrinths of the dungeons. Furthermore, there have been instances where they didn’t react as expected to commands, like not sitting on a specific spot to solve an environmental puzzle that required such action. Lastly, it can be frustrating when you need to sacrifice one of your companions, the monsters in my party, because certain puzzles can only be solved by summoning a specific type of enemy.

The overall fight sequences in this game tend to be rather bland. The success of a 3D action platformer hinges on the excitement and responsiveness of its combat system, yet many enemies can be effortlessly defeated by repetitively pressing the same button. There’s a good selection of weapon types, such as bows and arrows for hitting distant adversaries or switches, but the crafting system seems to go largely unused, as I advanced with relative ease without frequently upgrading my standard sword and spear collection.

Instead of boasting beautiful cinematics, Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection offers a rather dull visual encounter. While I appreciate the effort to maintain a vintage atmosphere, the landscapes lack inspiration and seem reminiscent of outdated 3D platformers, which unfortunately isn’t in a flattering light.

On every fresh level you reach, there are numerous tasks to conquer, some tricky ones like completing a stage within a specific timeframe or clearing an area solely with your sword attack, which adds depth but the game might not keep you engaged for too long as you either vanquish it or lose enthusiasm.

As a fan, I was genuinely excited for Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection, but unfortunately, despite its heartfelt and charming story, if you’re looking for something similar in this genre, I would recommend checking out other titles instead. While the visuals are certainly appealing, overall, it doesn’t quite live up to expectations across the board.

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2025-01-27 12:17