Fallen Legion: Flames of Rebellion

Mechanics

Fallen Legion for PS4 and PSV combines a series of features typical for jRPGs with incredibly strong elements of classic, side-scrolling beat'em ups. As a result, the game offers a complex story requiring the player to make crucial decisions, as well as a relatively typical character development system. However, the core of the experience is constituted by fighting in real time - although it bears a resemblance to the Active Time Battle system from the Final Fantasy series, it is based on mechanics relatively unusual in this particular genre.

In combat, the player controls the princess Cecille or Legatus Laendur (depending on the gaming system used), as well as three companions - they are actually weapons brought to life by a magic book. Each of those characters has slightly different skills and represents a different fighting style. For example, Zulfiqar can strike the enemies with his powerful shield, Longinus can pierce their bodies with a spear, and Apollon can unleash a hail of arrows at them. Randomly appearing cards constitute another modificator, as one's fighters can temporarily increase their power using them, heal their wounds or surprise the enemy with an unusual technique. When fighting, one of the buttons on the gamepad is assigned to the actions of each character; the key to success is to skillfully combine attacks of the entire team into complex combos. Good timing is not less important, as for instance, the player can stun enemies or reflect their projectiles thanks to blocking at the right moment.

Technical aspects

Fallen Legion for PS4 and PSV is played from a side view, which is relatively unusual in this genre. The game's hand-painted, 2D graphics bring the modern-day browser-based MMORPGs into mind, though compared to such games, Fallen Legion is definitely a better-quality product.