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Nippon Ichi Software (NIS), renowned for captivating and unique RPGs like Disgaea, Phantom Brave, and Makai Kingdom, ventured into the action RPG genre with The Witch and the Hundred Knight, sparking curiosity among fans. The game promised not only deep gameplay but also a novel storyline, diverging from typical market trends. Does it deliver on these promises? Let’s explore the world of Medea in The Witch and the Hundred Knight.

A Darkly Comedic Tale of a Swamp Witch

altIn The Witch and the Hundred Knight, you embody the Hundred Knight, an ancient evil force summoned by the swamp witch Metallia. Driven by world domination ambitions, Metallia uses you to conquer other witch territories. Despite its whimsical art style and playful soundtrack, the narrative takes a dark turn. Metallia is a ruthless witch, readily eliminating any obstacle in her path.

altShe even transforms her enemies into toys, leaving them in a state of living death for her amusement. Some scenes push the boundaries of the game’s teen rating. However, The Witch and the Hundred Knight avoids becoming overly grim. NIS successfully blends humor and darkness, making Metallia’s cruelty comedic and satirical.

altThe game also weaves in answers and mysteries throughout the gameplay. As the story progresses, Metallia’s character evolves, and your actions influence the multiple endings, encouraging continued exploration. This unique perspective, playing as a true villain, sets The Witch and the Hundred Knight apart from countless hero-centric narratives.

Unique Gameplay Mechanics with a Time Limit

altDespite her self-proclaimed immense power, Metallia cannot stray far from her swamp. To fuel her ambitions, you must destroy magical pillars releasing the toxic fumes that create the swamp. These pillars are protected by other witches, leading to inevitable confrontations. While resembling action RPGs like Diablo and Torchlight, The Witch and the Hundred Knight features a distinctive combat system. As a spirit from another world, the Hundred Knight has limited time outside Metallia’s control.

altExceeding this time limit drains your health and power, leading to death. Each level requires swift pillar capture and enemy elimination. Death results in lost equipment and halved experience points. To aid your mission, the pillars serve as warp points for replenishing energy and time, offering temporary stat upgrades and even allowing you to “consume” enemies for extended combat time. Defeating enemies also yields valuable equipment.

Exploring the World of Medea

altThe world of The Witch and the Hundred Knight is diverse, ranging from swamps and forests to scorching deserts. Each level is filled with hidden nooks, treasure chests, and villages to explore. Enemies possess unique skills, attack patterns, and weapon resistances, requiring strategic weapon choices. Bosses at the end of each level present unique challenges and reward you with Tochka skills for further exploration.

altNIS introduces a novel combo system and Facets (masks) with unique abilities. The Hundred Knight can equip five weapons and three Facets (one primary, two secondary) simultaneously, creating numerous combo possibilities. Combining weapons creates powerful combos to overcome any foe, adding depth and preventing monotony.

Immersive Audio Experience

The audio is a highlight. Unlike many Japanese games with subpar English dubbing, The Witch and the Hundred Knight boasts excellent voice acting. The actors capture the essence of each character, from Metallia’s childish ruthlessness to Arlecchino’s deceptively gentle demeanor, making dialogues engaging.

altSound effects are detailed, emphasizing weapon impacts and enemy cries. The soundtrack perfectly captures the mystical and eerie atmosphere of the magical world, featuring both epic and serene tracks that immerse you in the narrative.

Conclusion: A Unique Experience with Flaws

The Witch and the Hundred Knight offers a unique action RPG experience with its dark humor, innovative gameplay, and engaging audio. However, it suffers from graphical shortcomings and a poor tutorial system. Despite its flaws, the game’s unique premise and engaging combat make it worth exploring for fans of action RPGs and those seeking a different kind of narrative.