“[A] recreational program with light [Japanese role-playing game] elements.”
The plot of the alternative role-playing game “Hylics” is not an obvious arc story. From the mind of Mason Lindroth arised a strange, but also beautiful melody, whose notes are consisting of magical televisions that unlock special attacks, a cone hailing cult, three sages, subtle references to his former works with the formidable clay aesthetics as well as vegetables, burritos, bathtubs and juice boxes.
Do not let my short description with its wild associations mislead you. It would be easy to conclude that “Hylics” is like the dodecaphonism of indie games, while all the others are classic music. That would be just some edgy bullshit statement that I could not agree with. The setting may be absurd or even surreal at times, but the core design itself is still pretty traditionally structured.
With a party of up to four characters you will explore the mystical island, trying to complete quests and to fight enemies to progress. To become stronger in these battles, you will not have to gain experience points and level up. Instead, your status points are based on your equipment, buffs and on the unusual grinding mechanic.
Every now and then you will collect meat. Whenever you die, you will arrive in the afterlife. There stands an enormous grinding machine, allowing you to transform the collected meat into flesh points, which are basically your hit or energy points. So if you are in the mood for an entertaining drive into a world beyond your fantasy with wonderous places and passages to explore, but would still like the comfort of turn-based battles and familiar genre structures, then “Hylics” awaits you. [PLAY]
