The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails Assessment (PS4)

The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails is an motion RPG with platforming components that began life on the PSP all the way in which again in 2012. And as is the case with so a lot of Falcom’s lesser-known titles, it was by no means launched exterior of Japan. This new PS4 model, then, is a remaster of what some would think about to be a little bit of a basic, and whereas we would hesitate to place it on the identical podium as, say, one of the best video games in Falcom’s Ys collection, there isn’t any doubt that The Legend of Nayuta is a blast to play.

Broadly talking, Nayuta is like if Ys and Trails — Falcom’s fashionable JRPG saga — merged with each other. The gameplay has loads in frequent with the adventures of Adol Christin, whereas the narrative aspect of issues takes cues from the aforementioned Trails titles — a minimum of when it comes to pacing and characterisation. However the place Nayuta units itself aside is in its construction, which sees our plucky protagonist (additionally named Nayuta) leap between his hub-like hometown and designated motion phases.

The primary thrust of the sport’s 20-ish hour story reveals itself fairly early, as Nayuta and his adventurous pal Cygna uncover the secrets and techniques of the ruins that pepper their beloved Remnant Isle. Being so eager in his pursuit of scholarly information, Nayuta dives headfirst into the thriller, and it is not lengthy earlier than he is exploring one other world, stuffed with unusual landscapes, perspective-shattering secrets and techniques, and, in fact, monsters.

To be blunt, the narrative by no means actually had us hooked. Nayuta’s an enjoyably energetic lead, and Remnant Isle instantly charms as a setting, however the overarching plot stumbles as a result of a reliance on drained and largely predictable style tropes. All of it simply falls considerably flat, regardless of a lot of properly written dialogue and a few story twists that attempt to preserve issues fascinating. Overly severe dangerous guys, a squeaky mascot companion, and the arrival of an amnesia-riddled thriller woman is a mixture that’ll drag any RPG down.

Fortunately, the sport’s mix of hack-and-slash fight and fast-paced platforming needs to be sufficient to carry your consideration. With tight controls and a stable gameplay loop, dashing, leaping, and brawling your means by means of every pretty quick stage is satisfying — and rewarding, must you go trying to find hidden treasure chests and collectibles. What’s extra, finishing further goals — like beating a stage inside a set time restrict — nets you stamps that can be utilized to unlock new battle strategies. There’s at all times a purpose to pursue.

Now then, the motion. Basically, Nayuta is a simplistic slasher. You could have a fast and simple sword combo, a dodge roll, and a double leap. You smack an enemy, and in case your combo is not sufficient to kill, you progress away from its imminent retaliation. Straightforward at first, however the recreation rapidly introduces foes that require some tactical pondering, be it due to ranged assaults or resistances to all the things however particular strategies. And once you begin encountering enemy teams that blend a number of of those components collectively, issues grow to be surprisingly tough — in a great way.

Boss battles are a spotlight as properly. These climactic fights boast their very own gimmicks, and whereas it’d take a few makes an attempt to determine a sound technique, there’s a powerful diploma of creativity on present — particularly once you keep in mind that this was initially a PSP title. Actually, it may very well be argued that from a gameplay standpoint, Nayuta is one in every of Falcom’s most experimental outings, and that usually works to the sport’s benefit as every new degree presents some form of contemporary intrigue.

Having stated all of that, there are occasions when the title feels only a contact unfair. Unseeable enemy assaults from offscreen generally is a downside — particularly once they subsequently knock you off a platform and reset your progress — and appropriately judging the gap of some jumps will be unnecessarily troublesome relying on the stage’s digital camera angle. Minor grievances for probably the most half, however the frustration can add up once you’re making an attempt to blitz a degree for the sake of sure rewards.

But when there’s one space the place Nayuta would not falter, it is presentation. This can be a nice wanting remaster of what was already a stunning wanting PSP launch. Fashions and textures have been upgraded, and the artwork type — topped off with its big selection of brilliant colors and extremely fairly lightning results — actually pops at the next decision, whereas operating at a flawless 60 frames-per-second.

Conclusion

The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails is an effortlessly charming motion RPG. Despite the fact that the story struggles to interact, there’s a lot to love concerning the recreation’s hectic mixture of hack-and-slash fight and responsive platforming. A simple advice for followers of Ys, or fast-paced, skill-based motion titles typically.