It acquired a bit misplaced in final week’s flurry of exercise, however SolSeraph — ACE Team’s tribute to genre-blending SNES gem ActRaiser — is out, although sadly not heralded by a celestial refrain. Staying near its inspirations, it’s half hack n’ slash platformer, half real-time technique a couple of god reclaiming their land from monsters and demons within the title of their human followers. I’ve not had an opportunity to play it for myself, however trusted ActRaiser followers and platformer aficionados alike haven’t had a lot good to say. Perhaps it simply wasn’t bizarre sufficient for ACE Team? Below, a launch trailer.
Depending on who you ask, both facet of SolSeraph is the place its weak point lies. Some aren’t too proud of the RTS-lite segments morphing right into a tower defence game, and away from ActRaiser’s guiding of villagers in the direction of aims across the map. Others cite the platforming being not as targeted or exact as ActRaiser, and having overly fiddly controls. Given ACE Team’s different games, I used to be largely anticipating that, though I’m a bit disenchanted to see it enjoying it so straight by way of artwork course. Knights and dragons are so boring after the bizarre realms of Zeno Clash.
Being a card-carrying ACE Team fan (I’ve been following their work because the begin – one of their early Doom mods out-weirds all the pieces they’ve completed since), it’s a bit disappointing to listen to from trusted of us that this one misses the mark. That mentioned, I nonetheless hope to attempt it out earlier than lengthy. The crucial response to their earlier side-scroller, Abyss Odyssey was muted as nicely, however I ended up discovering rather a lot to love in its weird mixture of Chilean folklore, roguelike construction and Smash Bros-style fight. But alas, I can not discover the time to offer my ideas on this but.
Still, even when this one didn’t fairly hit the mark, I’m blissful to nonetheless see ACE Team round and kicking. Perhaps this one simply wasn’t a bizarre sufficient idea for them to essentially run with? I’m hoping that some day we’ll see a return of The Endless Cylinder, which seemed positively surreal in all the most effective methods. As for ActRaiser followers left within the lurch, control Smelter by Japanese outfit XPlus. It’s not due out till subsequent 12 months, however its platforming seems to be deliciously Mega Man X-ish. Although judging by its debut trailer, it’s attempting one thing totally different with its RTS layer, too. Fingers crossed.
SolSeraph is out now on Steam for £12/€15/$15, and is printed by Sega.
