Stories: The Path of Destinies Review

Stories: The Path of Destinies is a action rpg from Spearhead Games. Off the bat you are welcomed by many positives then negatives throughout the game. The game itself offers a more of a narrated story like that out of a visual novel. Or like the older cartoon movies of yesterday. Many ideas such as Batman: Arkham Asylum play into a brawling like element to the games overhead Diablo like dungeon crawl vibe across the games many landscapes. The story itself makes you choose many times in a fulfilling way. Living up to its name fully. You play as the sly fox named Reynardo in this quirky Action RPG decisions play out during ending acts, and those choices play a part as the game moves along. Much like games as Mass Effect, or “choose your adventure” novels of new and old. Let’s begin.

Gameplay in Stories branches out with some nice little refinement. Such as crafting of your sword which gives you plenty to consider. This measures down to special moves, or attributes. Combat is quick paced like Batman like I mentioned before. In a pleasing way. You can find many loot notes throughout the game with the many sword types like Healing, Void, etc. Other points you need to unlock doors with certain grades of the sword you wield.

Combat varies to pack to pack of enemies. Watching your energy is a thing in this game. So you can not always spam constant attacks for certain moves. The mechanic in question the trial and error has its flaws. That hurt the game at points. Such as dead ends for progression. So I sat there in frustration in points. I understand making the concept like a maze, but that kinda thing is just that, best kept in hedges. Or stone. I did mention this game is a Action Rpg. So skill trees and all that play a part to use items or certain skills of importance. Overall I found the game play pretty damn good. Aside from its one issue with the plot splitting.

How pretty this game takes its artwork is a understatement. It flows of lush tones of gloom and beautiful charm. Shadowing done just in the right tone. Characters communicating in a storybook style by a pretty decent narrator in the foreground. Or the banner that pops up with story progression or character ramble. I am not a heavy graphics nut case that everything in a game must be pixel perfect or that reflects scores for me. Or even degrades a game. This game takes exception and puts a bold smile on my face and admiringly adore its style. Environments felt a bit narrow or linear. I can understand this does not ruin a game. But I can only picture what if this game was more open world to games like Diablo, but with a Legend of Zelda vibe. Explore, figure out things on your own, then solve which route is better. I did not mind the linearity, but others this might be a downer.

In Closing:

The game itself is what I would consider a fantastic brush of old school Disney charm, mixed in with some Princess Bride, then a hell of a good action rpg. I found the whole experience charming, with some frustrations in its story branching with flaws. The price of the game and its length is more then reasonable. If you love a good hack and slash style game with on-going plot then..

Recommended, duh!