13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Review – A Sci-Fi Feast for the Imagination

Science fiction as a genre holds endless possibilities, spanning from time travel to android assassins. While many sci-fi stories only explore a few big ideas, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim breaks free from these constraints. This captivating game draws inspiration from various corners of the sci-fi kingdom, including renowned titles like The War of the Worlds, The Terminator, and Neon Genesis Evangelion. What’s truly impressive is how it weaves all of these influences together into a compelling experience.

A Captivating Narrative and Stunning Art

The heart of 13 Sentinels lies in its bonkers story and beautiful artwork. While the game does feature tactical combat, it primarily functions as a visual novel, following a group of teenagers who pilot enormous armored suits called sentinels to save the world from invading alien creatures. Throughout the game, these characters navigate their own personal dramas, exploring relationships and desires amidst the impending crisis. The narrative gradually shifts focus, starting with a familiar school-life setup before introducing more outlandish developments, such as crushes on new students and friendships with mysterious robots. Without giving away any spoilers, the journey is ultimately satisfying, even if it relies heavily on homages to popular sci-fi concepts.

Modular Narrative and Tactical Combat

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While 13 Sentinels incorporates dialogue boxes like traditional visual novels, it offers more agency than most. Your actions may not alter the final outcome, but the modular nature of the narrative is impressive. Each protagonist has their own story arc divided into chapters, allowing you to freely jump between them. You can delve into the world of a girl obsessed with UFOs and then switch to a boy who adores kaiju movies. Initially, I planned to finish an entire arc before moving on, but certain conditions must be met to progress with some characters, leading to partially finished storylines and the need to explore other threads. These bottlenecks, however, build mystery and anticipation, often leaving you on cliffhangers that make unlocking the next sequence all the more exciting.

Battles form the other major component of 13 Sentinels. Engaging in tactical combat across different sections of the city, you unleash missiles and lasers against hordes of enemies. Fortunately, this mode doesn’t pose a significant barrier to progression, unless you opt for the hard difficulty. Combat encounters can be plowed through swiftly, allowing you to return to the captivating story. While the combat lacks depth, the systems supporting it, such as move purchases and upgrades for each of the 13 sentinels, add some enjoyable tinkering.

Striking Art and Narrative Depth

Unfortunately, the combat encounters themselves are visually underwhelming due to simplified and generic representations. It’s a shame considering that the sentinel designs are truly awesome when seen up close in the narrative campaign. On the brighter side, the story scenes feature striking 2D illustrations that showcase breathtaking sunsets and cozy homes filled with mouthwatering food. The characters come to life through stylish animations that express their personalities. This attention to detail and stunning art is a hallmark of developer Vanillaware, ensuring a visually captivating experience throughout the game.

Conclusion

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Vanillaware, known for fantasy-inspired games like Odin Sphere, Muramasa, and Dragon’s Crown, takes an ambitious leap into the sci-fi genre with 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. While the plot may not be the most original, the game is a delightful and ambitious experience that combines high-school drama with giant robots. The captivating narrative, modular storytelling, and visually stunning art make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

FAQs

Q: What makes 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim stand out from other sci-fi games?

A: 13 Sentinels draws inspiration from various iconic sci-fi works, creating a captivating narrative that weaves together multiple influences. This, combined with its stunning art and modular storytelling, sets it apart from other games in the genre.

Q: Is combat a significant aspect of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim?

A: While combat is a part of the game, it doesn’t pose a significant barrier to progression. The focus of 13 Sentinels lies more on the narrative and character development, with combat serving as a complementary element to the overall experience.

Q: Does 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim offer replayability?

A: The modular nature of the narrative, allowing you to switch between character arcs, provides some replayability. Additionally, the game’s captivating story and visually stunning art make it enjoyable to revisit even after completing it.

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