Initial release date: May 28, 2024
Developer: Rablo Games
Genres: Role-playing video game, Casual game, Strategy
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
Publisher: Rablo Games
Engine: Unity
Have you ever looked at a Pokemon game and thought, “I like the idea, but the execution is just too cute and fluffy for me”? Well, we might have just the game for you.
Rablo Games has released Necro Story, a new creature-collection RPG that aims to satisfy that gothic itch you may not have even realized you had. So, with a plot including the last human, necromancy, and ghosts, you’re eager to learn more, right? (See what I did there?) Anyway, let’s go into the details and flesh out the story. I’ll stop making necromancy puns now.
A Necro Story awaits.
In this game, we play as an evil necromancer who, for reasons that will become clear, is also the last living human. As the game begins, we are laid out on a slab, with our soul hovering outside our body. You’ll find out why later in the story (no spoilers!), but we’re saved by the spirit of a wizard named Vivi, who has an offer for us. She wants us to help resurrect the human species by bringing them back from the underworld (which, confusingly, is also known as the Upperworld in this game), so the route has been set. Of course, our necromancer and Vivi won’t get too far on their own. We’ll need an army.
Necro Story has a gorgeous, hand-drawn aesthetic, and the characters of our necromancer and Vivi are well-designed and animated. The animals we encounter are likewise well-done, though as the game proceeds, we begin to notice a number of re-colored character models, such as a red lizard enemy rather as a blue one. This isn’t particularly obtrusive, and I only bring it up because I’m a picky critic.
The world has a variety of dungeons and an overworld to explore, and everything is well rendered. Enemy engagements can be seen from a distance, as they are represented by black blobs that travel across the landscape, although avoiding them is primarily a frustrating exercise. You see, if the black blobs discover you, they will chase you, and they can travel quicker than you can walk, making avoiding confrontation difficult.
The sound is exactly what you’d expect, with strong battle effects, including a surprisingly heartbreaking squeak as some teammates die. The tale is told through cutscenes and text windows, and there are choices that impact the course you pursue. I went on the straight and narrow on my first game, but you may be as nasty as you want. Overall, the presentation is fantastic, with the graphical attractiveness doing the most of the hard work to keep you interested.
Get battling.
Now for the gameplay. If you’ve played a Pokemon game before, forget all you know since this is very different.
As we roam around and fight, our necromancer has the power to capture enemy souls, and as we all know, captured foes can be “persuaded” to join your side. Defeating enemies causes their souls to be released from their bodies and float around the screen. This is our cue to aim at the souls with the left stick and press RT to collect them. As we catch souls, a mirror icon appears on the screen (the game explains what it is, although rather unhelpfully, it does it in French, which happened a few times), and once the mirror has fully formed, aiming at a soul and pressing LT will capture it and add it to your roster.
There are numerous creatures to capture, and once they are on your side, you can upgrade them with various things to increase their power. Fighting monsters levels them up and gives them new skills, so there’s a benefit to sticking with the same squad throughout, but experimentation is also enjoyable.
The combat system is a hybrid of an auto-battler and a regular RPG. We control the necromancer, who can use up to six spells as they grow stronger. Each spell has a mana cost and a cooldown, so timing is important. As we manage our character, the other creatures on our team, including Vivi, fight independently, using attacks from their unlocked repertoire.
Our necromancer has a final trick up their sleeve: the ability to change into demons. By traveling the globe and conquering buildings, we can meet demons and make evil alliances with them. These demonic forms are powerful and effective in boss battles, but they substitute standard spells, limiting your offensive options.
You will enjoy this one.
You will thoroughly enjoy your time with Necro Story. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, the characters are likable, and you grow to care about their fate. With its simple gameplay, Necro Story has charm and warmth that belies its subject matter, and it’s a lot of joy to play. What else could you want?
Review Overview
Gameplay: 76%
Controls: 75%
Aesthetics: 82%
Content: 78%
Accessibility: 77%
Value: 76%
Overall: 77%
GOOD
Summary: “Neco Story” immerses players in a dark and atmospheric environment full of intriguing tasks and a gripping storyline. The game, which combines RPG gameplay with an engaging tale, enables players to discover its secrets while defeating a variety of opponents. The gloomy art style adds depth to the experience, drawing gamers into the eerie setting. Although the gameplay can feel cumbersome at times, and some plot aspects are predictable, the rich content and character development keep gamers interested. With good visuals and a unique concept, “Necro Story” is an enjoyable excursion for those looking for a darker story in their gaming experience.