Hylics is a game I don’t know how well to describe. I mean, it’s an RPG, but its such a surreal experience that I don’t know how best to describe. Mechanically speaking, Hylics isn’t too complex, but it has some really interesting ideas that I really like. But I think what I enjoy most about Hylics is how mesmerizingly surreal the game is from beginning to end.
Combat wise, Hylics is your standard turn based RPG, there’s no better way to describe it. But there are some aspects of combat that I find really interesting. First and foremost, there technically isn’t grinding. Enemies are static encounters, and never respawn once you beat them. You also don’t gain experience from combat encounters, so the only way to increase your stats (aside from health and MP) is through equipment. While that would seemingly make combat encounters pointless, a majority of fights drop meat, an item which can be used to increase the health of each character. As well since you don’t gain levels throughout the game, the spells the characters learn are gained through interacting with televisions that appear throughout the world. Another thing is that there really isn’t much lost when losing a battle, unless you use items. While a minor inconvenience because you’ll have to walk at least a little bit to get back to where you were when you died, it solves a frustration I have when playing RPGs, where it sends you back to the title screen once you game over. While the general combat of the game is simple, the elements around it are really interesting.
As well, I really find the general order of events in Hylics really interesting. I use “order of events” because I’m really uncertain what the narrative of Hylics is. While that sounds like a bad thing, the surreal nature of it makes me really like it. That aside, the order of events seen in Hylics feels like the game is able to condense the entirety of a classic RPG storyline into a 2-3 hour experience. It’s primarily because it’s my favorite, but the order of events in Hylics really reminds me of Final Fantasy IV, though that might not be intentional, it may just be me making a connection that wasn’t really there.
And while I’ve mentioned it in passing multiple times before, but I love how surreal Hylics really is. A majority of text is randomly generated, not only meaning that each individual playthrough is unique (in this regard), but it makes the world feel alien, and I love that sort of feeling. It’s like peering into a world not of your own, but everything seems natural except to you. And the aesthetic of the game is so fitting for a game such as this. The clay molding and shifting, melting, reforming, creating unnatural shapes that the player does not understand. That alongside certain attack animations that use real footage, such as eyes or explosions. The aesthetic of Hylics is gorgeous, and it fits so well in this surreal, somewhat alien world, and I absolutely adore it. This as well is paired with some amazing music that yet again fits well with the general vibe of the game.
Hylics isn’t a long game at all, as I previously mentioned it’s about 2-3 hours in length. And it’s able to do so much in that time. Aesthetically it’s gorgeous, and I love how surreal the world is. I love exploring around the environment, and just taking in the sights. I think the only thing I’d like to see is a more fleshed out combat system, but that’s really it. I still really enjoyed Hylics, and I really should get to its sequel at some point.
Combat wise, Hylics is your standard turn based RPG, there’s no better way to describe it. But there are some aspects of combat that I find really interesting. First and foremost, there technically isn’t grinding. Enemies are static encounters, and never respawn once you beat them. You also don’t gain experience from combat encounters, so the only way to increase your stats (aside from health and MP) is through equipment. While that would seemingly make combat encounters pointless, a majority of fights drop meat, an item which can be used to increase the health of each character. As well since you don’t gain levels throughout the game, the spells the characters learn are gained through interacting with televisions that appear throughout the world. Another thing is that there really isn’t much lost when losing a battle, unless you use items. While a minor inconvenience because you’ll have to walk at least a little bit to get back to where you were when you died, it solves a frustration I have when playing RPGs, where it sends you back to the title screen once you game over. While the general combat of the game is simple, the elements around it are really interesting.
As well, I really find the general order of events in Hylics really interesting. I use “order of events” because I’m really uncertain what the narrative of Hylics is. While that sounds like a bad thing, the surreal nature of it makes me really like it. That aside, the order of events seen in Hylics feels like the game is able to condense the entirety of a classic RPG storyline into a 2-3 hour experience. It’s primarily because it’s my favorite, but the order of events in Hylics really reminds me of Final Fantasy IV, though that might not be intentional, it may just be me making a connection that wasn’t really there.
And while I’ve mentioned it in passing multiple times before, but I love how surreal Hylics really is. A majority of text is randomly generated, not only meaning that each individual playthrough is unique (in this regard), but it makes the world feel alien, and I love that sort of feeling. It’s like peering into a world not of your own, but everything seems natural except to you. And the aesthetic of the game is so fitting for a game such as this. The clay molding and shifting, melting, reforming, creating unnatural shapes that the player does not understand. That alongside certain attack animations that use real footage, such as eyes or explosions. The aesthetic of Hylics is gorgeous, and it fits so well in this surreal, somewhat alien world, and I absolutely adore it. This as well is paired with some amazing music that yet again fits well with the general vibe of the game.
Hylics isn’t a long game at all, as I previously mentioned it’s about 2-3 hours in length. And it’s able to do so much in that time. Aesthetically it’s gorgeous, and I love how surreal the world is. I love exploring around the environment, and just taking in the sights. I think the only thing I’d like to see is a more fleshed out combat system, but that’s really it. I still really enjoyed Hylics, and I really should get to its sequel at some point.