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Himeko Sutori evokes a strange sense of familiarity, a feeling of “I’m sure this has happened before,” yet you can’t quite place it. It’s not quite déjà vu, but rather a vibrant, abstract painting of a game. This review dives into the perplexing world of Himeko Sutori, exploring its unconventional charm and surprisingly addictive gameplay.

alt text describing image: A screenshot of Himeko Sutori showing the battle gameplay with pixelated units on a grid-based map

Where Himeko Sutori Falls Short

“What is this?” might be your first reaction upon launching Himeko Sutori. The game’s initial impression can be jarring. The soundtrack feels haphazardly assembled, like a random collection of royalty-free tracks mixed with improvised tunes. The graphics, while reminiscent of a retro aesthetic, lack polish and artistic finesse. They serve merely as a visual confirmation that you are, in fact, playing a game, and not struggling with Windows 3.1. Environments, advertised as being built with Unreal Engine, fail to impress. Instead of the visual splendor of Octopath Traveler, we’re left with something…undefined. It feels like a tech demo showcasing the ability to render 3D assets in a 2D space, rather than a deliberate stylistic choice. Interaction with the environment is minimal, limited to entering glowing doorways.

The character designs further contribute to the game’s unconventional presentation. Resembling 2D Barbie dolls, they maintain a single, static expression regardless of the situation. Joy, sorrow, anger – all met with the same blank stare. Characters glide across the grassy landscapes with an unnatural, almost ethereal movement. Even enemy and allied wolves share the same color palette, a testament to the game’s apparent disregard for visual clarity. These quirks, and many others, might leave you questioning your life choices.

The Unexpected Allure of Himeko Sutori

Game developers, especially indie studios, often prioritize polished visuals and captivating soundtracks. Himeko Sutori throws that convention out the window. But despite its aesthetic shortcomings, Himeko Sutori is far from a bad game. In fact, it’s surprisingly engaging.

alt text describing image: A screenshot from Himeko Sutori showcasing the character management screen with various stats and equipment options.

The game employs classic turn-based, grid-based combat, drawing clear inspiration from Brigandine. However, Himeko Sutori differentiates itself with a deep and complex, albeit enjoyable, layer of customization. Players can fine-tune their units’ weapons, spells, and abilities, managing a diverse roster of characters and races. Beyond individual character levels, players must consider team levels, stat bonuses and penalties, elemental affinities, and attack/defense ratings when forming their Lance (squad). This allows for endless tactical possibilities and encourages experimentation with different team compositions, although the manual nature of this system can be time-consuming.

The quest system also contributes to the game’s addictive nature. While the quests themselves aren’t particularly challenging, and the narratives often disconnected, the lack of a map and the overall ambiguity of the game world create a unique sense of exploration. Stumbling upon a tavern and accepting a random, nonsensical quest is a refreshing experience, rarely found in modern games. Wandering from town to town, interacting with villagers, provides a welcome respite from the constant battles and adds a layer of lightheartedness to the experience. The reward for completing these often trivial tasks is usually a new recruit, identical to your existing characters save for a different hairstyle – a quirky incentive that somehow works.

alt text describing image: A screenshot of Himeko Sutori depicting a character dialogue scene within a tavern.

The vast map, numerous dungeons, and constant stream of battles keep players engaged and distracted from the game’s rough edges. Beyond gold rewards for completing quests, Himeko Sutori also features a crafting system. Players can create a wide variety of items, from dual-headed vortex staffs to immortal rock-studded missile cloaks. The sheer breadth of crafting options adds another layer of depth to the gameplay.

Conclusion

Himeko Sutori is a peculiar game. It’s rough around the edges, visually unpolished, and sonically jarring. Yet, beneath its unconventional exterior lies a surprisingly addictive and engaging strategy RPG. With its deep customization options, expansive world, and unique quest system, Himeko Sutori offers a refreshing take on the genre. While it may not appeal to everyone, those willing to look past its flaws will discover a hidden gem.

Game Information

• Developer: Rockwell Studios, LLC
• Publisher: Rockwell Studios, LLC
• Genre: Tactical RPG
• Release Date: January 30, 2021
• Platform: PC

Minimum System Requirements

• OS: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10
• CPU: Intel i5-750 / AMD Athlon II X4 650
• RAM: 4 GB RAM
• GPU: GeForce GTX 750 Ti / Radeon R7 360
• Storage: 10 GB

Recommended System Requirements

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• CPU: Ryzen 5 1600
• RAM: 16GB
• GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti
• Storage: 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD