Who made it?
Level-5 — that’s right, the creators of Professor Layton, Ni no Kuni, and Yo-Kai Watch — with the help of Nex Entertainment, which helped on games like Bayonetta, Children of Mana, Resident Evil: Code Veronica, and Shin Megami Tensei: Nine.
But the main designer is none other than Yasumi Matsuno, the director of Ogre Battle, Final Fantasy Tactics, A tramp’s story, and one of the writers of Final Fantasy XII.
What is the premise?
The game is part of the Tier 5 ‘Guild01’ series, which consists of four completely different games — Liberation Maiden (by Suda51), Aero Porter, Weapon Shop De Omasse, and this one. They’re not related to each other, but they’re all interesting little experiments for the 3DS.
Unlike many other Matsuno games, Crimson Shroud is more like a tabletop RPG. It is more An RPG of course, but instead of counts ticking away in the background, you’re the one actually rolling the dice this time. Each character looks like a little piece from a board game, and the production values are incredible.
Navigating the world with a map at the bottom of the screen, your group of ‘chasers—Giauque, Frea, and Lippa—hunt criminals and treasure. But one day they come across the legend of the extremely powerful Crimson Cloth, which is said to be the source of all magic.
Why should I play it?
If you are a fan of Yasumi Matsuno, you should play this. It is one of the most unique games in the oeuvre of the legendary creator. The pace is slow and deliberate, meticulous and refreshing, and despite the stacking of the dice, nothing is left to chance, so there’s no need to be daunted by the “nat 20” incident. Unless you’re trying to get some gear to boost your defense or your power (because there’s no leveling system here).
Moreover, can we mention the production values again? This game looks and sounds beautiful (the music is by long-time Matsuno collaborator and composer Hitoshi Sakimoto), even if it’s a little low-budget, and we love how it really feels like a board game, with a DM narrating your every move. And unlike many other RPGs, this is a light little adventure that won’t take you more than 10 hours to complete if you don’t go for absolutely everything.
If you’re curious about Guild01 games in general, this trailer shows a clip of three of them, but all four are available on the 3DS eShop.
How much is that?
$7.99 / £7.19 / $7.99. In fact, all four games in this series cost that much, so you’ll get four games for just over $30 if you want them all.
We’ll be back with another 3DS or Wii U eShop recommendation soon. Let us know below if you already have this in your collection and share your thoughts. Also, feel free to nominate other games — we may feature them in the coming days.
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