THE CRUEL KID AND THE GREAT HERO REVIEW: A BEDTIME TALE FOR ALL AGES
You are invited to join little Yuu on her dangerous journey to becoming a great hero in the magical world of The Cruel Kings and the Great Hero. Will she be able to defeat the Demon King! This heartwarming adventure comes from the makers of The Liar Princess and The Blind Prince.
The Cruel Kings and the Great Hero, a 2D RPG published, is a bedtime story suitable for all ages. It was unquestionably a beautiful tale. The more I learned about Yuu’s journey, the more I felt for and wished her success.
It’s great when a videogame has enough content to keep you interested. This game is simple, but you can easily forget the complexity as you wander through the various whimsical worlds.
STORY – ONCE A TIME…
Yuu is a young girl who is adventurous and has a noble dream: to be a hero like her father. With the help of the Dragon King, Yuu embarks on an adventure that will take her to different countries and allow her to meet unique characters.
The game’s setting is what immediately grabs your attention. Yuu’s adventures are like chapters in a bedtime storybook.
Yuu is your character, and you can see the world through her eyes. This game has a lot to offer children. It is a great way to teach kindness and altruism. If you put your mind to it and work hard, you can reach your goals.
You will board the Dragon King at the end of her daily adventures and fly back home to his den. The Dragon King will read Yuu her favourite bedtime story. This is similar to a parent reading their child to bed. How is the Dragon King able to know Yuu’s father. Why is Yuu there? Only one way to find the answer.
GAMEPLAY – GET READY TO DREAM!
It is very easy to play RPGs.
Don’t worry if you are worried about not being able to remember all the details or check them all. You will be able to see every aspect of the main menu during the “tutorial”. Although it’s not a tutorial, it is a helpful guide, especially since the game contains many important aspects.
WORLD MAP SYSTEM: NO GETTING LOST FOR YUU
The World Map displays the world Yuu will explore. Clicking on any realm will open a detailed map that lists your goals, secret treasures and other relevant information.
Remember that Yuu will find the way as she continues her quest. It wouldn’t be as easy if it were. It is easier to stay focused when you know exactly where you are and what you need to do. There is always the chance that you will make a wrong turn and have to go back to where your original destination is. ).
It would have been a great idea to offer a faster travel option. This option is available at a certain point in the game. While I love the stunning visuals, it can be a bit burdensome to return to the place you came from.
BATTLE MECHANICS – TURN-BASED COMBAT MEETS KAWAII
You will meet a variety of characters along her journey. However, Yuu will also encounter several enemies. And, just like rogue-like games, the more you advance, your enemies will become stronger.
Be careful, however. While these monsters might look adorable, some can be dangerous.
The turn-based battle system is very simple, just like the gameplay. Yuu has the option to choose from a variety of actions. Each action requires a specific number of skill points. As Yuu grows in skill, her skill point will also increase.
You must make sure that you are using your points wisely, or Yuu could fall prey to the monster. There is also an option to escape certain battles. This was nice because sometimes you want the freedom to walk to your destination. It’s just a shame that Yuu’s enemies appear so frequently and randomly.
You will be awarded experience points and shells if you defeat your enemy. This currency is used to purchase items from various peddlers Yuu encountered along the route. Stock up on battle equipment if you don’t have enough shells. They will save you during boss fights.
MONSTERDEX- THE POKEDEX HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS
The Monsterdex will list every enemy Yuu encounters. The Monsterdex contains basic information about each monster Yuu encounters in her adventures. During the battle, you can observe a monster to learn more about its traits and weaknesses.
LET’S MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACE – YUU’S ACTS of Kindness –
As I mentioned previously, Yuu is often confronted by many “good” monsters. These creatures are peaceful beings who choose to live in the realm controlled by the Dragon King. Yuu is determined to be a better person to make her a great hero. She will help these creatures with their problems, considered acts of kindness. These are secondary quests, and you can call them that.
You will be rewarded for her acts of kindness. What can you do with a Star Fragment! In a second, you’ll discover!
COLLECTION AND BADGES – SOMETHINGS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
You can use the Star Fragments Yuu received after an Act of Kindness on the Collection page. These Star Fragments can be used to unlock exclusive illustrations and sketches. Each collection requires a specific number of Star Fragments. To unlock all sketches, you must complete Acts of Kindness.
You can earn badges by completing certain events in the game.
Are you a legendary hero who can acquire all of them?
SCRAPBOOK – IT’S LIKE THE NOTEPAD YOU CARRY IN YOUR PURSE
If you are like me and sometimes forget what you should be doing or where Yuu was the day before, don’t worry. The Scrapbook can help. This section will show Yuu’s current goals, ongoing acts of kindness, and everything she has accomplished.
COMPANIONS – YOU HAVE A FRIEND IN ME
You will be helping Monster Creatures through her Acts of Kindness. She will also meet characters who will help her in her quest to become an outstanding hero. These delightful companions face their own challenges, but Yuu will help them overcome them so they can join Yuu on her journey. Companions will be invaluable in battle, especially when facing multiple enemies simultaneously.
AUDIO AND VISUALS – WHIMSICAL COMES IN TWO FORMS
Music is a key part of a game. I’m happy to say that The Cruel King & the Great Hero has a wonderful soundtrack.
The theme song is sung by Akiko Shikata, who has a haunting voice that makes it feel nostalgic yet somehow modern. This characteristic perfectly suits the fantasy game. Each track gently guides your emotions and connects with your heart.
I particularly feel Whispering of the Icicles invokes that nostalgia. I find this melody almost like a lullaby. It is a song you silently hum to get a sense of inner peace.
Other aspects of the sound design work well for their purpose. This includes the page flipping, the victory celebration harmony, and the cute chime you hear after eating a Power Fruit. These sounds, melodies and noises made it feel like I was in fantasy land.
Reina Kondo’s amazing narration is something I cannot discuss without mentioning the audio. Yuu’s story is best told by Reina Kondo, whose soothing, comforting voice is an excellent choice.
The symphonic quality perfectly complements the soft visuals in the hand-drawn illustrations. The drawings look delicate even though they depict the forest and other magical lands in detail. This suits the story (it’s a picture book, after all) and the overall gameplay.
We also see beautiful sketches throughout the story. They are entirely drawn in pencil and, along with the beautifully executed animations, enhance the magical storytelling.
