Like most RPGs, when you aren’t exploring the world, you will find yourself in battle. Child of Light makes use of a modified ‘active time battle’ mechanic, much like some of the Final Fantasy games. For the most part, the combat is pretty standard; taking a turn-based form where you control two party members and the enemy usually has three, though you are able to switch out your lead fighters for anyone in your reserves at any time. Where the battles get unique, however, is the manipulation of time playing a key role. At the bottom of the screen is a meter showing who will get their turn and when. You have your standard speed up and slow down buffs and debuffs to take control of this situation, but you also have a blue orb named Igniculus who, when placed over an enemy and activated in real time, will slow down their movements and the charging of their meter. On top of this is the fact that all attacks can be interrupted before they are performed, making the timing and speed of commands an essential part of the game’s strategy, especially during boss battles which are often heart pounding in presentation and, every once in a while, in challenge. It’s an amazing system that encourages truly learning the game’s systems and I absolutely loved it. The thing I find most heartbreaking about Child of Light’s gameplay is that it’s such an easy title that most players probably won’t realize how brilliantly all the subtle quirks of the combat system fit together, and how much potential this system has for growth.
Child of Light was a very entertaining experience with some questionable, and, yet, somehow still endearing design choices. Even taking into account my complaints about the title, I highly recommend everyone buy it and play it if you have even the slightest interest in doing so. The game will cost you $15 (plus another $3 if you get the Golem DLC, which I highly suggest if you want a full character roster) and will last you about 8 to 12 hours depending on your playing speed. It’s strange, at first I came into this review thinking I’d take the ‘yeah it’s good, but not that good’ argument, but the more I think on this game the more I remember it fondly, almost like a dream that I didn’t want to wake up from. It is truly a magical experience, and one that I don’t think I gave enough credit at first. There really just isn’t much else on the market like Child of Light, and if you are looking to experience the closest thing gaming has had to a real fairy tale, this is definitely it.
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Review copy provided by author, and was based on the PS3 version.
Child of Light is available on Amazon:
