Maglam Lord review

Felistella’s latest might not have the name recognition of previous efforts like Summon Night, Hyperdimension Neptunia, or Azur Lane Crosswave. But it’s a thoroughly enjoyable, wonderfully lighthearted action-RPG that’s ideal for pint-sized play sessions.

Not every game has to be a triple-A epic. Occasionally, gratification is found in the modest efforts which don’t receive a momentous push from publishers. If you’re a fan of games that accessible action and incentive to drive daily grinding, Maglam Lord should produce a state of contentment. Although none of its individual parts are exceptional, the game’s mix of banter, button-mashing battles, and even opportunities for (b)romance, combine into an experience that’s thoroughly entertaining.

As Nippon Ichi reminds us with the Disgaea series, Demon Lords face the occasional crisis. When that happens, these arrogant anti-heroes have to rely on subordinates to reclaim their vivacity. And largely, that’s the case with Killizzerk, Maglam Lord’s protagonist. Once a mighty master of the demon blade, your mercilessness has finally caught up with you. After falling in battle, Killizzerk requires rescuing, which must be humbling for any malevolent Demon Lord.

A Cast of Likeable Characters

When Killizzerk regains consciousness, it’s evident that the world had changed, with peacefulness replacing a longstanding conflict between factions of devils, gods, humans, and beasts. Chaperoning you through this new world are your faithful servant Satyus, a demon intellectual and master of the magical arts. Satyus’ grandfather is Balga, a former general that you once defeated in battle who also assists as your retainer. Amusingly, the old war veteran is now in the body of a three-eyed spirit with a Wario-style moustache. Blaga should probably hold a grudge about all this, but like several of Maglam Lord’s other characters, is completely endearing

With a script from Summon Night’s Kei Miyakozuki, Maglam Lord is persistently playful. Your resuscitation lands you on a governmental endangered species list. That’s means that twin-tailed Inspector Mamie seeks to inhibit putting you at risk. But her beaurcratic policies are at odds with kicking ass, the one activity that can help rekindle your Demon Lord dynamism, providing for some amusing repartee. Beyond that, you’re too weak fight alone so you have to enlist the help of siblings Charme and Darius, who have their own issues to work out. While the exposition is mainly front-loaded, I consistently looked forward to the visual novel style conversations, which revealed satisfying arcs for the secondaries.

Bring Me Five Bottles of Demon Bladewine!

Most of your time with Maglam Lord will be spent completing mandatory and optional requests. Across three-dimensional environments comprised of connected rooms, you’ll be tasked by the archetypical assignments of collecting items, defeating foes, and occasionally saving fellow endangered beings hidden among these spaces. Initially, these overworlds can be a bit confounding, with hills that look like they can be traversed and a mini-map that doesn’t express elevations very well. But after revisiting the same zones multiple times, you’ll be able to quickly find that remaining Lickyliz or Buzzbug that you need to hunt down.

Most of the time, enemies will follow you with dogged determination. When avatars collide on the overworld, you’re quickly dropped into a two-dimensional fight. Here, Killizzerk’s surrogate character can double jump, use items or magic, or issue basic attack combos. And while fights favor straightforward accessibility over sophistication, there are a few nuances. You’re able to bring three different weapons into battle. Each has their own strength or weakness which can be identified by the color of the damage statistics that discharge from attacked adversaries.

Block like a Game Journo on Twitter

Although your fighter can utilize a block button to defend against enemies, foes sporadically like to fling themselves from offscreen, making near-constant shielding a requirement. And while boss battles change up the formula, expect your strategy to be a mix of undemanding hacking and healing. While fighting can grow tedious over extended play sessions, it largely sidesteps frustration. When you do face an opponent who isn’t easily defeated, Maglam Lord is informing you that it’s time to forge new weapons.

Fortunately, operating the hearth is straightforward, using found materials to expand your arsenal. Pleasingly, there’s a bit of customization, with players able to add stat-boosting ‘decos’ on your arms, which are visible on your overworld avatar. When coupled with elemental qualities like setting opponents ablaze or freezing them, there’s a muted distinctiveness to the game’s weaponry.

Breaking Defenses and Hearts

Inevitably, you’ll return to your headquarters, to chat with your clique. Dialog options permit players to give Killizzerk personality and also influence how others view the Demon Lord. Although Maglam Lord’s romancing is a rather minor component, there’s still some mild enjoyment in courting your favorite guy or girl thanks to writing that captures increasing attraction.

There’s another upside back at home; your base of operations and all of its inhabitants look stunning. Featuring artwork from Fate Grand Order’s lack, Maglam Lord’s two-dimensional art is divine. While the Unreal Engine helps the game’s outdoor environments and battle arenas look presentable, it’s no match for the luxury of hand-drawn artistry. Vocal performances are another treat, with the Japanese voice actors underscoring the quirks of each character.

Conclusion

Games are intended to be enjoyed in different ways. Maglam Lord favors a piecemeal approach, where you might tackle a quest or three every day. So, If you’re the type of player compelled to finish a game in a setting or two, this is going to be a repetitive, grindy experience. But revive Killizzerk gradually and you’ll appreciate Felistella’s blend of components much more. Maglam Lord reminds us that demon rehabilitation requires persistence as well as patience.

Maglam Lord was played on Switch with review code provided by the publisher