[Review] Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk (by YouNa)
Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk. This game is made by Nippon Ichi Software and published by NIS America. They are well known to us from the Disgaea Series. Nowadays, Nippon Ichi Software's games have their own characteristics. Their games are full of cute graphics at first glance but include dark stories and characters. It's like a cruel fairy tale. And they all include great RPG elements to help grow you characters. Above all, it is impressive that these elements harmonize well in their games.
Labyrinth of Refrain is a very good example of these features. The game itself is fun, but its unique mood and RPG content make the player more immersed in dark world of this game. You will get around 50 hours of content and in addition of all the extra after-game content you can reach 80 hours. Infinite growth systems, random dungeon events, and a coven system that can consist of up to 40 colleagues make it a great fit for gamers who enjoy JRPGs.
As for the gameplay, this is a RPG based on dungeon exploration. It is possible for players to avoid enemies or counterattack them for great damage. Furthermore, various hidden treasures and spaces contribute to the fun of dungeon exploration. What is especially interesting is the system that allows you to destroy the walls of the dungeons. You can reach places you could not normally go or find hidden treasure chests.
Thanks to these features, even in a dungeon you have more freedom. This allows you to overcome the disadvantages of simple repetitive searches that can be somewhat tedious. However this game does have a certain grind factor but the process itself does not feel difficult or tedious. And as your level increases, your ability to grow automatically increases. When you reach a certain level, new skills are opened. The ability called "Coven" will also help your character grow.
Another feature of this game is the way the story progresses. There are interesting characters that have a deep connection in the story so I recommend you do not skip conversations or events. Although the characters themselves are not so many, each person plays an important role. There are also a number of exciting secrets that gradually become known as the story progresses. If you are a gamer who likes to follow a good story, you will be satisfied.
In summary, this game is a fairly well-crafted game. Above all, the balance of story and dungeon exploration is great. If you like Dungeon RPGs or are looking for the fun of infinite growth, do not miss this game. Highly Recommended!
[Steam] Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk (by Nippon Ichi / NIS America)
