My Wii U Game of the Month for May is a title that is available on the Wii U’s eShop, as well as whatever digital download services are provided on the other game consoles. It is a 2D side-scrolling platformer/RPG hybrid which was released on 30th April 2014.
The game is Ubisoft’s Child of Light. The game focuses on a young girl named Aurora from 1895 Austria. She contracts an ailment that makes her fall asleep. She wakes up in the world of Lemuria and is given the task of retrieving the stolen sun, moon and stars.
The art style is said to be inspired by Studio Ghibli and Yoshitaka Amano, and it is definitely very pleasing to look at.
Aurora doesn’t undertake her quest alone; she is joined by a glowing blue orb named Igniculus. It is possible to have a second player take control of Igniculus in order to play co-operatively.
During her journey, she also meets characters who will join her. These characters have their own troubles, which Aurora can help to resolve.
Battles employ a system that is somewhat similar to the ATB system first seen in Final Fantasy IV, and is apparently similar to that seen in Grandia.
There is a bar along the bottom of the screen during a battle with an icon for each person or monster involved in battle. They move from left to right, towards a red section that says ‘cast’. If anyone gets hit by an attack whilst their icon is in the ‘cast’ area, their turn is interrupted. It’s a neat twist on the ATB system, in my opinion.
I’ve really enjoyed what I have played so far, and I am certainly looking forward to more. I strongly recommend acquiring this game, especially if you enjoy RPGs.
Rory Muses 