Whalefall

Whalefall is a jRPG with strategy elements, inspired by such series as Fire Emblem, Suikoden and Bravely Default. It was developed by an independent studio Whitethorn Games.

Plot

Whalefall takes us on a journey to the fantastic land of Osfeld where whales travel across the sky. When the life of these large, but gentle beasts comes to an end, they go to the Baleen Wastes, where they fall to the ground and their bodies become a source of valuable resources for the inhabitants of Osfeld.

The balance of the land has been disrupted by the The Stoneshield Legion, whose members dream of the return of the great Iron Chain Empire. On the orders of Queen Lucretia, the members of the Legion constructed a powerful cannon and shot down one of the whales, causing a great cataclysm to erupt. In the midst of this turmoil, Coty, a young recruit, finds himself in command of the Riverwatch forces. The protagonist must embark on a long and dangerous journey, gathering his team and facing the deadly threat that hangs over all of Osfeld.

Game mechanics

The world of Whalefall is made up of 30 different locations. While wandering through them, we meet the inhabitants of Osfeld, among whom we can find the warrior clan Korvil or the isolated Moldoon people. We complete tasks which push the plot forward and various side quests, as well as establish relationships with interesting characters, who may join us over time. Conversations with them are presented in the form known from visual novels, so during them we watch 2D portraits of characters on the static backgrounds. They are complemented by animated cutscreens showing the most important events.

We observe the action from the third person perspective (TPP), but during the battles the camera changes its position, presenting the arena from the top-down view.

Skirmishes take place in turn-based mode and are divided into two types. The first are tactical battles of a relatively small scale, in which the protagonist and his companions take part. The key to success here is primarily the skillful use of the abilities of individual characters, as well as equipping them with the best possible gear. As we progress, we develop Coty and his team members, which allows them to face more and more challenges. The second type of battles are huge ones involving whole armies, which take place on vast arenas covered with a grid of hexagonal fields. These occur when our troops have to defend the Riverwatch or when we try to conquer a fort or overwhelm the enemy forces in a given area.

Technical aspects

Graphics in Whalefall is in a simple, but at the same time colorful and pleasant to the eye, cartoon style.