Review of Tails of Iron – a cruel tale

The developers of FromSoftware probably didn’t imagine that with the release of Demon’s Souls, and more specifically with Dark Souls, the way would open for a new sub-genre that we now call “souls-like”. A lot of time has passed since these pioneers, and nowadays we can buy a large number of games that try to mimic the magic of the original, as well as those that try a little differently. And the developers from the UK studio Odd Bug (even with the Czech track) have seen it in similar projects, which means that we can currently get their title called Tails of Iron on PC and console, released by United Label. Already from the promotional materials it was clear that it would be at least an interesting project, and after its completion I can state that it is also very entertaining, as the next few paragraphs will try to convince you of.

• Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch (peer review)
• Publication date: 17 Sept. 2020
• Producer: Strange Bugs Studio
• Genre: Soul 2D RPG
• Czech location: Not
• Multiplayer: Not
• Data to download: 1.2 GB (switch)
• Game time: 7 o’clock
• Availability: 16+
• Sales version: box (in October) and digital
• Price: 899 crowns in Xzone

Rats on the run!

If you’ve seen the video or even watched the game itself, you probably know what it’s all about. Let’s take a look at a medieval fantasy world, more specifically one rat kingdom that is enjoying a time of peace and prosperity after King Rattus successfully defeated the red toad menace. However, time passed, the king grew old, and therefore it was necessary to choose a strong successor who would ensure the secure future of the empire. And it is on this day that the game itself begins, when we marry the brave Prince Redga, who will have to duel with his fat brother, who decides which of them will take the crown. The Redgies will win, but the victory will be very bitter, because at this moment the empire is again attacked by insidious toads that destroy everything that stands in their way. However, Redgie manages to survive as he waits for a path to restore the kingdom and defeat a dangerous threat.

In the fur of young Redga, you will renew the kingdom.

In essence, this is a classic story about a hero who must save his homeland from destruction, when the whole adventure is told on two levels. The first is verbal, when your journey is accompanied by a narrator cursed here by Doug Cockle, the English voice of Geralt of Rivia. He comments on most important events and gives insight into the mindset of the characters themselves, giving the impression of a bedtime story that doesn’t offer an original story, but you’ll probably have a tendency to swallow every word. Then the second level is visual. Already on the examples, it was clear that the local cartoon graphics would be pleasing to the eye, but this is not its only purpose. Through separate and ever-changing locations, it offers a really huge portion of the variety of details that make the local world look really colorful and painted even in the absence of any text notes. And although (or maybe because of this?) the characters here do not talk at all, but only emit bestial cries and whistles, when all local dialogues take place through a comic bubble, in which you can see various pictures that give you instructions on how to act. The authors managed to cause a great sympathy with local characters, which I sincerely feared.

Cruelty is everywhere

And I was also afraid of them because the local, at first glance, fairy-tale world, is actually very raw. Even though the writers mentioned before the release that it would be dark fantasy, I still wasn’t ready for what I got. The hopelessness of the game clearly radiates, and, frankly, I had no idea until the very end whether it would end here in a positive or negative spirit.

At first glance, the fairy-tale world is actually very raw.

In any case, this dampness is perfectly emphasized by local fights. Here you will use one light weapon, one heavy and one long-range weapon to eliminate enemies, while their services can be freely switched by pressing the corresponding button. To do this, you need to remember to defend yourself (with a weapon or shield), mate, dodge and make detours. I confess that at first local skirmishes seemed a little clumsy and heavy, but gradually I liked them and, according to the mood of the name, they fit them perfectly. In addition, each fight is a challenge, where victory leaves a very pleasant feeling of satisfaction, which is often enhanced by stylish but stunning finishing blows. However, I must say that the game will forgive you a lot, so it is suitable for beginners. In addition, in most cases you will not be attacked by more than two enemies at once, so there is no extra workload. Storing is then followed by resting on a bench (similar to fireplaces) that you’ll find consecrated in the local world, as well as a supply of beetle sap with which you replenish your lives (similar to Estus Flask).

Experiment is the foundation

It was also an honest surprise for me that the game is more layered than I originally expected. There are no various RPG elements, such as finding equipment items, to experiment with relatively well, so you can gradually create all sorts of builds that will suit your playstyle. In addition, the game encourages experimentation quite well, when you can significantly alleviate individual conflicts with the right combination of equipment. In addition, on your journey you may come across various ingredients, from which the castle cook will create a dish with which you will increase the maximum number of lives, or you can visit a local blacksmith who will forge other weapons or armor. in exchange for a plan.

You can experiment with equipment in different ways in the game.

In addition, you will also complete various side quests, but you will soon find that the word “side” is a bit misleading because you won’t escape them. And with that comes one of the two biggest problems of the entire title, which is a somewhat sprawling and drawn-out second period in which you’ll be driving back and forth through already explored locations so you can move on with the storyline.

oh those jumps

However, the second, and, in my opinion, much more serious drawback is the relatively problematic movement and jumping. The Redgi responds fluidly to your lever movements, which can (and often will) lead to frustration when jumping, as it lacks the necessary precision. You will also feel the lack of accuracy in fights when you often miss a blow that really should be, but this does not happen so often as to be clearly tiring or annoying.

Movement and jumping are quite problematic.

I was playing the game on a Nintendo Switch (most of the time in handheld mode) and it runs without any issues when I experienced a slightly nasty fps drop in just one location. But I think it is appropriate to mention one more problem that I encountered. Early in the game, I managed to break the first saved position when I finished the session without resting on the bench. However, after a subsequent load, my character completely disappeared from the map, and there was nothing I could do but start playing from scratch on another slot. After searching the web, I couldn’t find anyone with a similar problem, so I consider myself an exception. However, to be on the safe side, always keep the game in the correct location before closing it.

Big heart in a small body

Ultimately, however, these issues won’t stop you from enjoying the hustle and bustle and constantly getting carried away by the detail and rawness of the local world, which will make the whole journey peel like raspberries and immediately want the additions that we hope to see in the future. And this is definitely not enough.