Crusaders Quest is a deep and featureful RPG (role-playing game), very close to the traditional jRPG (Japanese style) type of games. Cute 8-bit characters, interspersed with cute anime-like cutscenes give it a definite classic feel.
The game has a set of quests to tackle while you learn the dynamics and basics of the game: hero selection, weapon choice, powerup selection, leveling up… There’s plenty of things to learn in the game, and a pretty interesting side story to move you through the learning. As part of the learning, you’ll get to know the basic game mechanics.
Fighting is automatic, and handled through enemy waves. For each battle you can choose up to 3 heroes and (I think, so far I only have one) a goddess (as you advance through the story you get more of them to choose among). Once in battle you can control a little more of the battle through a minigame where you play match three with your heroes’ special abilities. This also fills special hero powerups and goddess’ powers, which you can unleash any time. You need to carefully plan this, to be able to handle the final wave boss. Even if this seems complicated, battles are pretty straightforward and fast-paced. So the game suits as well for quick breaks or pauses or for somewhat longer playing sessions.
After these first levels, you are more or less on your own. You’ll be given random loot after some stages, and then leveling up your heroes, weapons and powers will be the main targets of your effort. There is a time limit (controlled via in-game ‘meat’) so you need to rest from time to time, or pay with in-game cash in the form of gems.
In Crusaders Quest there’s a huge range of heroes split in several categories, like paladins, hunters, archers, mages and a few more. Each category has some low tier heroes, several higher ups and a legendary one. Among them you will find d’Artacan, Joanne d’Arc, Dorothy, Achilles, Alexander the Great and many, many more.
Even though the game is somewhat stocked in in-app purchases, they are not constantly bombarding you with them, and the game can be played and enjoyed without spending an unordinate amount of money. In-game gold comes easily through quests and the story. Getting honor points (used to level up your heroes) is a little harder, as is getting gems, but both can be managed as easily. Special dungeons pop up from time to time where you can earn quite a few of them, and you can also fight in the PvP Arena to earn them. Levelling up, “selling” (retiring) less powerful heroes and some NPC quests also grant honour points. As you see, it’s easy to enjoy it without spending (but I’d suggest buying some IAP just as an appreciation of the developer’s work if you are enjoying the game!)
All in all, Crusaders Quest is a very enjoyable experience! The game is long and offers plenty of heroes to level up, so you won’t be finishing Crusaders Quest quickly. The game includes social aspects (and Facebook integration) to spice up a little more the gameplay and engage with some friends, or get their help if needed.
The post Crusaders Quest Review – Great, jRPG inspired game appeared first on What's On Iphone.