\n

This Way Madness Lies is a retro-inspired title that combines JRPG elements with a Shakespearean narrative. It may sound like an odd pairing, but whether you\u2019re a budding thespian with anime aspirations or a Sailor Moon aficionado who dabbles in the classics of William Shakespeare, this unique combo has you covered. And yep, it totally works. Hey, to thine own self be true.<\/span><\/p>\n

This adventure has a lot going for it. Let\u2019s start with the story. It\u2019s pretty bonkers, but it\u2019s also charming, funny, and very tongue-in-cheek. You play the role of Imogen, a student at Stratford-Upon-Avon High. She wields a magical scepter that grants her magical powers, including the ability to teleport between dimensions. She also happens to be part of the school\u2019s drama society. Between rehearsals for their next performance, her crew of wannabe actors forms a superhero-esque group. They go into action by suiting up in classic anime style; hence the earlier Sailor Moon reference.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a fair amount of dialogue, but it\u2019s fast-paced and humorous. There\u2019s also less ye olde English than you might expect, though it\u2019s certainly present. The best part is, if you don\u2019t understand a lick of Shakespeare, a quick tap of a button instantly translates it for you. Not only does this help out anyone struggling with those tricky phrases, it\u2019s also translated in such a clever way that I found myself flicking back and forth every time just to see what they would say in modern English. It\u2019s a unique mechanic that\u2019s cleverly used.<\/span><\/p>\n

The graphical style is another huge pro; it\u2019s right up my alley. If you, like me, enjoy the 16-bit styling of titles like Secret of Mana, you\u2019ll find yourself equally enamored. It\u2019s not <\/span>quite<\/span><\/i> as stunning as that 1993 title, but it\u2019s lovely to behold as you traverse various realms. The music is just as enjoyable, with catchy, fast-paced tunes that blend an upbeat anime style with older twinklings reminiscent of Shakespeare\u2019s era. It\u2019s very well done.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The turn-based gameplay is another treat for players of classic titles. Your team attacks or defends by using weapons, magic, or items, then the enemy phase begins. The fun lies in testing different offensive strikes to see what works, with plenty of on-screen stats available to assist. You can also rest your character to replenish any depleted moves. The best part is a special team-up ability that combines your teammates in unique moves that deliver more damage. They\u2019re also just fun to watch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are plenty of options to keep players fulfilled in the accessibility department, too. You can save the game at any point, with multiple save spots available. This gives you the opportunity to revisit a previous save state and try a different path. The in-game menu also allows you to change your party\u2019s items and weapons, or even let them have a short conversation. You can also adjust the difficulty setting at any time. One notable absence, though, is a map. It\u2019s not always necessary, but I occasionally found myself wandering in circles during some scenes.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

If this sounds amazing, well, it kinda is. And it comes at a budget price, too. Of course, at $9.99, there is a compromise on game length. This isn\u2019t the type of JRPG that will keep you going for weeks or months; it\u2019s more likely to be over within a few nights or over a weekend. That said, it\u2019s an enjoyable time while it lasts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall, This May Madness Lies uniquely blends JRPG elements with the world of William Shakespeare. It has everything going for it, from a humorous story to a wonderful 16-bit styling that smacks of classic \u201890s titles. It may not be the toughest or longest title, but if you\u2019re a fan of anime, Shakespeare, or JRPGs in general, you\u2019ll find enjoyment here.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This Way Madness Lies is a retro-inspired title that combines JRPG elements with a Shakespearean narrative. It may sound like an odd pairing, but whether you\u2019re a budding thespian with anime aspirations or a Sailor Moon aficionado who dabbles in the classics of William Shakespeare, this unique combo has you covered. And yep, it totally […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":72071,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/purenintendo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/this-way-madness-lies-nintendo-switch.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[576],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-72070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nintendo"],"yoast_head":"\n