Vambrace: Cold Soul Review (NSW)

Written by Anthony L. Cuaycong

Title: Vambrace: Cold Soul
Developer: Devespresso Games
Publisher: Headup Games
Genre: Adventure, RPG, Strategy
Price: $24.99
Also Available On: PS4, Steam, XB1

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In Vambrace: Cold Soul, gamers take on the character of Evelia Lyric, the only hope of inhabitants of the otherwise-walled-off Icenaire to be free from the clutches of the ruthless King of Shades. Her desire to look into the circumstances behind her father’s death leads her to the city, her physical assimilation of Aetherbrace having enabled her to penetrate the “frost fall” permanently enveloping it. And as she digs for answers to her deeply personal quest, she finds herself fighting for collective pursuits.

The story of Vambrace-Cold Soul is told with deliberate pace. Much of the start consists of tons of expository, if well-written, text that serve to add substance to the lore writer and designer Tristan Lee Rivan strove to create. On the flipside, it’s wrapped in compelling fashion, both literally and figuratively. The distinctive hand-drawn style is recognizably that of Minho Kim, South Korea-based developer Devespresso Games CEO and lead artist, and reminiscent of his previous works (among them The Coma: Recut).

Whether on top in Icenaire or down below in Dalearch, whether from an isometric perspective or as a side-scrolling adventure, Vambrace: Cold Soul boasts of settings and characters with remarkably sharp lines and lush colors. That said, the music and sound design are arguably even better; the mix is appropriately enveloping and on point, complementing the visuals and establishing the proper ambience. The aesthetics certainly bolster — and serve to immerse gamers in — the narrative.

While Vambrace: Cold Soul looks and feels like a Japanese role-playing game, it features mechanics that hew closer to that of a roguelike offering. Death is invariably a fixture in campaigns, with the challenges heightened by the utter absence of any leveling-up options through combat experience. Instead, primacy is accorded equipment upgrades, available from merchants in exchange for hellions, obtained as battle spoils or rewards during and after quests, or secured through crafting.

Frustration is sure to set in, but there can be no discounting the sense of accomplishment in beating Vambrace: Cold Soul after 20-odd hours of investment. Gamers are inherently prideful, and their utter refusal to lose sets up a fitting payoff.

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THE GOOD

• Looks and feels great
• Engrossing storyline

THE BAD

• May prove too challenging for comfort
• Grinding required and bordering on excessive
• Randomness amps up difficulty even more

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RATING: 7.5/10

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