An outcast god consumed by despair threatens to bring the world of Midgard to its knees. Aided by a ragtag group of volunteer soldiers-of-fortune and a small loyal following, he aims to establish his kingdom once more. When reason and diplomacy with the outcast deity fail, the Aesir god Loki prepares to make a final bid to halt the ambitions of the heretic. What will become of the world should he be unable to succeed?
You play as Blitz Ymir, a disconnected servant to the Aesir. The god Loki has offered you a limited freedom if only you were to complete a simple task in his name. When past obligations become personal choice, will you choose to live a menial life or continue to take up the sword in the name of the gods?
Balmung Cycle is a classic rpgmaker rpg, but unlike using a classic fantasy setting it's inspired by the Norse mythology. It's a really solid adventure with many playable characters, and a complete game despite being a part 1, so it was apparently the first chapter of a bigger story. The game offers battles, puzzles, duel and exploration. Maps are really well done too.
The game won six Misao awards in 2008:
Game of the Year
Best RPG
Best Completed Game
Best Sound
Best Game Design
Best Level Design
Random Fact: like often happens, a demo was released before the complete version about two years before. Originally the game was titled Balmung Chronicle: Echoes of Idavoll and was pretty different, so much that this cannot be considered only a demo, but really another game. See below for this extra.
Final Verdict: The story was well made, gameplay properly applied and just a very consistent feel from start to finish and I wish more games were like this.
Side note, if it wasn't for this game Forever's End might never have existed!
EXTRA - Balmung Chronicle: Echoes of Idavoll (demo): in the Ironfall prison arrives an Einherjar named Blitz, despite he seems to not have killed anyone. His old friend Alrick with his associate Eitri are attempting to help him escape. Once out Blitz plans to investigate if the Viscount Andhrimnir is behind his arrest...
Random Fact: although the characters have the same name and appearance, the plot is very different from the story we play in the complete game, and also the setting is different and much more techno-fantasy.
Final Verdict: it's only a demo, and maybe has less character and identity than the Balmung that was released, but this old prototype has still its charm and is enjoyable since it takes a very different approach. Try it.
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