Get ready for a unique and original approach to the RPG genre which mixes and matches gameplay elements from side scrolling platformer titles of yesteryear with active and passive battle systems. Open world exploration with living, reactive environments takes place in a 2D Adventure aspect while battles take place in a timing-centric turn-based attack system. The game’s presentation is on point with crisp and fresh graphics being fed to the player constantly, a flared soundtrack comprised of high quality orchestral theme music, and rhyming limerick style dialogue that can be funny at times.

On Child of Light players take the role of a magic able protagonist who can perform a variety of somewhat supernatural feats throughout open world exploring taking place on the 2D plane. Players aren’t safe in the open world however, and can endure damage while searching out treasures due to hazards in the levels itself. Battles against enemies are are turn based, and depend on a timeline that shows players and enemy turn timing spots. Enemies can sometimes be avoided, but if ran into during 2D explore mode are triggered into a turn-based battle. Each time a turn is taken players must select their options similar to other titles in the purist, turn-based RPG genre. Enemy attacks and turns can also be interrupted by player attacks, and simple options eventually expand into various types of spells that can be cast and abilities / attacks that can be used.

Craft Oculi

An upgrade system is present in the game involving the crafting of ‘Oculi’. Overall, this system is somewhat similar to the Diablo slotted gems system, in which gem shards are collected and used to increase attributes such as Chance to Evade, increase specific magic resistances, and have weapons attached to swappable imbued powers such as Fire Damage w/ Melee Attack. These effects are multiplied as players collect more of these gems such as Sapphire, Emerald, and Ruby for example and eventually combine smaller pieces such as “Rough Sapphire” into more refined “Tumbled Sapphire” Oculi. This process will keep players balancing the effectiveness of their attacks and defense as well as other attributes during the ongoing journey of leveling up and facing new enemies. Gems like this are found through winning battles and searching treasure locations found throughout the game.

Child of Light also tasks players with collecting items such as traditionally expected RPG-style potions and permanent attribute modifiers. This includes one time use items like “Healing Tonic” which will heal 50% of a characters’ Health or “HP Stardust” which will ‘Permanently increase HP by 5.” for a character.

In addition to these gameplay elements, the same pointer (an energy-based playable side-character) is seen in battle not just exploring modes. When in battle, the orb-like character Igniculus pictured above can be used to heal player-controlled characters or effect enemy players (for example, slow down their ability to take turns as viewable in the turn-based timeline at the bottom of the screen). Once a limit is reached to its powers this character is also used to interact with the foreground and background environment of a battle scene just as it does in exploration mode (obtaining more energy for its powers). This is controlled by the player in real-time with the right-stick (or a second player can jump in to help) as the turn-based battle progresses, which is pretty different and unique for a game of this kind. At first, this can feel a bit strange to get used to – but once players decide on the how to incorporate the possibilities of this into their battle gameplay, routine tactics do emerge. Party members are gained and achieve higher levels of experience as the title’s story mode goes on, and though we will get into that further below – we won’t spoil too much.

The retro-inspired gameplay presented by Child of Light it as at the core of its allure, however, Child of Light is more so a fluid cinematic experience than a constant grind fest, which is great because backtracking isn’t usually something that we want to see in side scroller RPGs. Hard mode is preferable, offering a challenge that RPG gamers will definitely be ready for and enjoy more thoroughly. For those looking to just breeze through and enjoy the story, the lower difficulty provides just that with the exception of puzzle gameplay still requiring solutions.

The Offering price of this game weighed against the amount of playtime that most advanced users will come across is a fair exchange of art for monetary compensation. Trophy hunters will, as always, find a bit more replay value out of the game. However, Child of Light should be looked at as more of a positive response to fan feedback of turn-based role playing games over the past few years. This one of a kind gem brings us a reminder of how a game can flow seamlessly from one segment to the next while still maintaining the old school RPG gameplay we know and love.

The development studio behind this game stated that they had been influenced in some aspects by the Final Fantasy series and particularly FFVI. This is a heavy burden to place on a project, and luckily the end result paid off as Ubisoft can proudly display the bits that clearly benefitted from the existence of the JRPG golden age. It might be by accident, but flying around as Aurora reminds me of Terra from Final Fantasy in Esper mode taking flight during that memorable moment in RPG history. I’d say Child of Light’s development teams have earned the right to say they are following in the footsteps of these classic moments in RPG history, and providing plenty of their own in this unique saga.

The ability for a real time second player (or right analog stick when solo) control of the orb character Igniculus which can restore its powers (usually twice per battle) by collecting Wishes (orb energy) that fuel its actions which take place in real time alongside the turn-based battles being fought by the characters the player controls and the enemies of the fight stands out as a pretty unique yet familiar battle system. The ability to continue planning and interrupting enemy turns while healing in real time against a turn based battle system at the same time flexes your brain in a special kind of way which feels nice and refreshing yet still makes sense in the traditional logic of fantasy role playing games players of the genre have come to know and love over the years.

Replay Value: Good

Collectible “Confessions” – notes that players can spot floating around mid-air and must be collected actively. These are essentially your average “find ‘em all” type of replay value extender and give backstory to the game and maintain the limerick-style themed writing Child of Light capitalizes on. Here’s an excerpt from one to give you an idea, “Gods forgotten within white temples fade, Under lidded eyes the palace sits, frayed, Doors closed behind bleached rooms gathering dust, The gilded throne’s gleam muted by dull rust.” It’s likely that there are a lot of uncommon pieces of knowledge that can be found with a good eye and a puzzle-solving mind by collecting and decrypting the meaning behind all of these Confessions – and it will likely increase the play time an owner of this game could expect.

Final Verdict:

Child of Light picks and chooses a few game elements that were inspired by classic role playing games and takes them into a completely unique experience. Players are presented with a graphically pristine visuals as real-time and turn-based combat / exploration are seamlessly encountered. The Skills upgrade system and Oculi crafting systems are both simple / easy to use as well as rich with paths to take as the game progresses.

Child of Light shines as one of Ubisoft’s most brilliant efforts in the genre and definitely shows the commitment to quality within the multiple studios involved during development.

Overall Score: 9.3 / 10

RGN Rating: Gold Game

Publisher: Ubisoft

Development Teams:

 . Ubisoft Montreal

 . Ubisoft Massive

 . Ubisoft Ukraine

 . Ubisoft Bucharest

Available On: PC | PS4 | XO | PS3 | 360 | Wii U
Handheld Version: Vita (Coming Soon)

Played On: Sony PlayStation 4

Review Copy Info: A digital copy of this game was purchased by RealGamerNewz for the purpose of this review.