Games worth discovering

THIS IS DEFINITELY A SERIES I NEVER KNEW I NEEDED!

2K View2024-01-17

Game: Yohane the Parhelion - NUMAZU in the MIRAGE

Platform: PC, PS5, SWITCH

Genre: Deck-builder, JRPG, Roguelike

Overview

My first impression of Yohane the Parhelion - NUMAZU in the MIRAGE is a very unusual take on the typical deck-builders that I have played over the course of the last few years. In essence, it is a combination of a well-written piece of anime & visually stellar artwork set in a universe that is bright and vibrant in so many ways!

If you like cute comedy, graphics, and a game that does not place an excessive amount of emphasis on difficulty, as this DEMO version does at the moment, you will find that this game is quite casual and does not offer a great deal of challenge. But that doesn't stop it from being an interesting concept that I would like to see more of.

Story

When it comes to the story, I wouldn't say that the game is very distinctive. "Love, Live! Sunshine!" is a musical anime that this game is a spin-off from for this entry in the series. You do not need to have seen it or know about it in find it interesting.

Yohane is a young fortune teller who is always willing to assist those who are in need whenever she is able to do so. But one day, she discovers that her friends are afflicted with a illness, and she feels compelled to help them. However, before she could figure out what was going on or even make an attempt to truly unravel the mystery, she is taken into an other realm through a mirror.

In the world that she is now in, will she be able to assist her friends and cure them?

A simple but convincing incentive to finish the demo and, in the future, the entire game if you are someone who attaches easily to characters in video games.

Graphics & Presentation

I am using the word "refreshing" sincerely. This is not Slay the Spire or Beneath Oresa, or many of the other more dark and gloomy styles for deck-builders, as not a lot of them focus on the visuals and instead double down on the features, making the visuals more of a side thing which while still are okay, are not the prime focus.

Everything about Yohana, from the characters to the cards to the animations, are just so vivid that you can't help but feel relaxed, and stimulated by all of the particle effects. Yohana is a game that looks absolutely stunning for a casual game.

It would have been nice to hear more voice acting, but I don't believe that they will bother with a voiced cast of characters as is common with most games. If they did, it would unquestionably pique my attention because I am the type of person who takes great pleasure in playing a game with a wonderful voiced characters.

Gameplay

Due to the lack of content and a lack of general difficulty, this felt like a deck-builder that was below average not having a lot of depth or detail as of right now.

I did not have the impression that I was doing anything other than increasing the strength of my shield to a high level, then attacking, and repeating the process, even after completing four full runs, I didn't see much of a different especially with the map.

I can only assume this is hopefully not how the full game will be, otherwise it will be rather disappointing to play a roguelike that is just so linear.

The gameplay is of a normal deck-builder, fighting, navigating events and stores and rest locations, there isn't much else here outside of dressing up your character once you complete some of the events and unlock them for visual aesthetics.

Conclusion

I have a lot of optimism regarding this game. It has been quite some time since I was able to simply relax, put on a smile, and take pleasure in a story that included elements of deck-building merged together with a highly visual anime story.

Remind yourself that you should give the DEMO a shot for yourself!