Review: Azuran Tales: TRIALS (Nintendo Switch)
Explore the secrets and mysteries of the world of Azuran. Face the trials put forward by Magrath, where death is never the end, just a moment of respite. For Drukandra will not let you find peace until the Amulet of Valur is remade and the balance is restored.
Pros:
- Decent graphics.
- 2.4gb download size.
- 2.5D action RPG gameplay.
- Brief tutorial.
- 15 trials (levels).
- Game-make your way through the level taking on enemies, finding secrets/loot/shortcuts and then fighting a boss.
- Stamina system for rolls, blocking and attacks.
- Combat-you can block, roll through them, attack and special attack.
- Unlock lore as you play.
- Infinite lives.
- Gems and coins-used to upgrade and buy abilities along with permanent unlocks.
- Constant checkpoints.
- Abilities mapped to the d-pad.
- Instant restarts.
- Difficult.
- Hud-clear icons and info showing the time taken, death count.
- Scrolls-found in the game and are limited use items to do things like health regen or fast movement etc.
- Death-restart at a checkpoint and lose 50% of any loot you are carrying.
- Levels are well designed and have secrets and shortcuts.
- Satisfying combat along with chunky damage numbers. Each encounter feels different.
- Can replay trials.
- Easy to get into.
- Small bite-sized levels.
- New gear rewards at level end.
Cons:
- Not the best loading times.
- Difficult.
- Combat does have a learning curve, especially with the weapon swing arc and speed.
- Underwhelming loot.
- Very controlled experience.
- The foreground scenery like pillars can obstruct your view.
- Really easy to die.
- Graphics - 7/107/10
- Sound - 7/107/10
- Accessibility - 7/107/10
- Length - 7/107/10
- Fun Factor - 7/107/10
Summary
OK, Azuran Trials is a relatively good game on the whole. I mean it’s a series of small bite-sized levels with a handful of bad guys, maybe a secret or two, few platforming situations and then a boss fight. Combat is really well done allowing you to roll through them to avoid damage, the conviction is your meter you build to unleash a special move or heal. My complaint with combat is just the initial learning curve as the swing arc feels small and speed is slow, causes issues when you try a roll hit combo. Loot in the game is always just gems and coins with stat improving gear being a reward for boss fights. Levels, as I say, are small and tidy enough for commute play or a quick sesh. Overall it’s a game that doesn’t really bring much to the genre but instead just refines what already exists and for that, it’s still a worthy purchase.
