Initial release date: September 16, 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
Developer: Jyamma Games
License: proprietary license
Genres: Action role-playing game, Adventure game, Indie game, Fighting game, Adventure
Publishers: Jyamma Games, Jyamma Games S.R.L.
Engine: Unreal Engine 5
What comes to mind when you hear the term “Souls-like?” Do you remember the popular FromSoftware SoulsBourne games, such as Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Demon Souls, and Elden Ring? If not those popular games, what about Lies of P, Code Vein, Remnant 2, Star Wars Jedi Survivor, or Nioh? The Souls Like genre is distinguished by difficult adversaries, demanding bosses, experience drops and retrievals upon death, and often darker landscapes.
So, what happens when a developer tries to break the paradigm by creating a more colorful and welcoming Souls-like experience? This has resulted in games such as Phantom Blade 0, Seikero: Shadows Die Twice, and, most recently, Enotria: The Last Song. How does this new approach to the formula work? Find out in our Entoria: The Final Song review!
When players initially launch Enotria: The Last Song, they are prompted whether they wish to play in Story Mode or Souls-Like Mode. After picking the game mode, the user is guided through the tutorial and taught the game’s basic controls. Unlike other Souls-like games, countering plays a larger part and can be the decisive factor when surrounded by opponents or fighting a challenging boss. After completing the tutorial, the user is greeted by a stunning field of sunflowers.
Rather than a dark and depressing atmosphere, the universe is filled with bright colors, natural foes, and soothing music and soliloquies. Enemies in the game may not appear to be frightening, yet lowering your guard can easily lead to death. Whether you’re playing in Story Mode or Souls-Like Mode, adversaries in the game can kill you; in Souls-like mode, opponents hit harder, and you have to be more careful with your decisions.
Enotria: The Last Song has two main focuses: demonstrating the game’s shifting complexity and the mask-swapping feature. In Story Mode, the game will guide you in the right route, and the goods you find in each region appear to be more plentiful. In Souls-Like mode, you will face a greater struggle than you are accustomed to. Bosses will appear to be gods at times until you grasp their movement patterns. Story mode allows you to tank the boss’s strikes without fear of death.
Playing through Enotria: The Last Song was interesting after watching the same type of game for the past decade. Rather than feeling like a clone of anything popular, it seems that the developers selected pieces of each that they enjoyed and used those mechanics in a fun and smart manner. The method for destroying certain objects took some getting used to, however these destructible objects were not always required to continue.
Boss fights in Enotria: The Last Song were exciting, with no boss encounter seeming the same as another. Each fight had its own unique gimmick and something to keep an eye out for, yet none of them overlapped. Even if you believed the argument was over, something could happen and it would be escalated to the next level. Even minor bosses, with ability to poison, call allies, and heal themselves, can provide an unexpected challenge.
The game offers more than just big boss fights. Players can fight minor monsters to obtain masks, important goods like weapons and souls, and even useful stat items. The game also includes optional confrontations through Dark Rifts, which can range from basic opponents to difficult variants of previous monsters. The game does occasionally force the player to use the Dark Rifts to continue, but these fights usually only attract lower-level enemies.
Unlike other Souls-like games, Enotria: The Last Song uses a multi-class system in which the player can change their fighting style by changing masks. The only other game like that is Deathbound, which swaps classes but depletes another’s health pool when battling.
Unlike Deathbound, switching between masks does not require you to manage your health, and each mask provides you with unique stats and abilities. Some masks can reduce certain metrics while increasing others. If you want to vary your combat style, switch masks.
Players that enjoy customizing their experience can alter the layout of controls to match their specific demands, whether they use a gamepad or a keyboard and mouse. When Auto Loot is enabled, there are various difficulties with the interact command.
Players can customize their visual experience by adjusting colorblind settings, anti-aliasing, light quality, shadow quality, and the quality of other art in the game. Objects on the map can be difficult to notice when on a lighter background. The game includes twelve text languages and three audio languages (English, Italian, and Japanese).
When looking closely at Enotria: The Last Song, the gameplay is fairly strong, and the leveling and mask change systems provide an element that no other soul-like game can equal.
All of the boss bouts include distinct combat mechanics that are both exciting and demanding. The choice to play in Souls Mode or Story Mode allows players to explore the game without being frustrated by harsh fighting. Finally, the level design and artistic style set the game apart.
The opportunity to customize the game’s graphic settings and control arrangement is something that many gamers can only dream about. Although the game has many excellent aspects, it suffers from choppy visuals and poor object interactions. Unlike most other Souls-like games, Enotria: The Last Song does not currently support cooperative gaming.
So, if you’re seeking for a unique Souls-like experience, Enotria: The Last Song is worth checking out. If you’re merely searching for a new action-adventure game to try out, you might want to seek elsewhere. Perhaps when the game is launched for the Xbox Series X, it will be more stable.
Review Overview
Gameplay: 82%
Controls: 78%
Aesthetics: 90%
Content: 85%
Accessibility: 76%
Value: 83%
Overall: 82%
GREAT ADVENTURE!
Summary:
Enotria: The Last Song introduces players to a wonderfully designed fantasy world brimming with lore, strategic warfare, and a fascinating plot. The game stands out for its vivid graphics and deep world-building, making exploring a joy for RPG fans. Minor control and tempo difficulties exist, but they do not greatly distract from the entire experience. Enotria is a wonderful addition to the genre, particularly for those looking for an adventure full of depth and visual appeal.