PGC NEWS

Nanotale: Typing Chronicles takes a bold approach to gameplay, reviving the somewhat archaic typing game genre, a rarity in recent years. Developed by Fishing Cactus, creators of Epistory – Typing Chronicles, Nanotale offers a unique blend of typing mechanics and action-adventure gameplay. This review explores the strengths and weaknesses of this intriguing title.

A Typing Hero’s Journey

In Nanotale: Typing Chronicles, players embody Rosalind, an apprentice Archivist embarking on her first exploration of a vast and dangerous world brimming with mysteries. Her journey takes an unexpected turn when she encounters a mystical creature and is transported to new lands threatened by a spreading darkness known as dissonant magic.

Rosalind exploring the world

The core gameplay revolves around exploring these environments and battling hostile creatures. Combat utilizes a typing mechanic where players must type the words appearing above enemies to inflict damage. This system is enhanced by the ability to type specific keywords to unleash powerful spells. For example, combining “Fire” and “Ray” unleashes a devastating fire ray capable of vanquishing most foes.

Combat using typing mechanics

Interaction with the environment and its inhabitants is crucial for progression. Documenting new creatures and exploring the world rewards players with experience, unlocking new skills and keywords, further enriching the combat system. The more you explore, the more diverse your arsenal of spells becomes. This innovative approach injects depth into the typing genre, making it accessible and engaging for a wide audience, especially younger players looking to hone their typing skills.

The game’s visuals, while not perfectly optimized, are aesthetically pleasing and create a sense of wonder with unique creature designs and an open, inviting atmosphere.

A captivating environment

A Story That Overreaches

While Nanotale: Typing Chronicles presents a simple yet potentially compelling narrative, its ambition to incorporate numerous plot elements ultimately hinders its execution. The game’s attempt to expand the scope of its fairytale-like story results in a disjointed and less engaging narrative. New plot points are introduced prematurely, leaving existing threads underdeveloped and confusing.

A scene from the game

The rushed introduction and subsequent dismissal of characters further contribute to the narrative’s shortcomings. While these characters play significant roles, their limited screen time and underdeveloped backstories prevent them from leaving a lasting impact. The repetitive dialogue, often fixated on a single theme, becomes tiresome and reflects the game’s struggle to maintain narrative cohesion. Ultimately, experiencing the story in Nanotale: Typing Chronicles becomes a test of patience rather than an enjoyable journey.

Repetitive Gameplay and Technical Issues

Nanotale: Typing Chronicles falls into several design pitfalls, particularly with its repetitive level design and overuse of the core typing mechanic. Players frequently find themselves confined to small areas, forced to rapidly type to defeat waves of enemies. This mechanic, while initially engaging, becomes monotonous due to its frequent and predictable implementation, even during boss battles.

Encountering enemies

While some attempts at variation are present, they are insufficient to alleviate the overall sense of repetition. This lack of gameplay diversity significantly detracts from the overall experience. Technical issues, such as occasional blind spots and environmental glitches requiring restarts, further compound these problems. Performance issues, including frequent frame rate drops, especially during combat with increased visual effects, also impact gameplay.

Conclusion

Nanotale: Typing Chronicles offers an innovative approach to the typing game genre, with engaging combat mechanics and a visually appealing world. However, its narrative shortcomings, repetitive gameplay, and technical issues prevent it from reaching its full potential. While the core concept holds promise, a more focused narrative and greater gameplay diversity would significantly enhance the overall experience.

Game Information

• Developer: Fishing Cactus
• Publisher: 2P Games, PID Publishing
• Genre: Adventure, Action
• Release Date: March 31, 2021
• Platform: PC

Minimum System Requirements

• OS: Windows 10
• CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 or AMD Phenom II X6 1100T
• RAM: 8 GB
• GPU: GeForce GT 295 or Radeon HD6870
• Storage: 2 GB

Recommended System Requirements

• OS: Windows 10 Home 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i5-9300h 2.4GHz
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: Nvidia Geforce GTX 1660ti 6 GB
• Storage: 512 GB SSD NVMe M.2 PCle Gen 3×2