That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles is a game adaptation of the popular anime and light novel series. This review of the game offers an in-depth look at the game’s various aspects. This RPG follows Rimuru Tempest’s journey from human to powerful slime in a fantasy world. The game features fast-paced 2D side-scrolling combat, simplified city-building elements, and a condensed retelling of the original story.

Story

The story progresses through key events from the anime, culminating in the Kingdom of Falmuth battle arc. Players witness Rimuru’s growth from a simple slime to a leader, including acquiring a human form and developing a safe haven for various creatures. While the game covers significant plot points, it simplifies many details and character developments from the source material.

The storytelling employs a combination of dialogue boxes and static images, reminiscent of the Tales series’ conversation style. This presentation, while functional, may feel somewhat basic to some players. The condensed nature of the narrative means that fans of the series might miss the depth and nuance present in the original story.

Gameplay

The game’s gameplay structure focuses primarily on combat and story progression, making it straightforward. The game alternates between narrative segments, dungeon exploration, and village development. Dungeon crawling forms a significant part of the gameplay experience. These segments offer a mix of exploration and combat, with players able to choose different routes for additional encounters and treasures. While most dungeons are brief, they provide enough content to fully engage with the combat system.

City-building is another core mechanic, allowing players to develop and enhance their village using materials gathered from battles and treasure chests. Each building constructed boosts the party’s stats, and characters gain experience points that can be allocated to a skill tree. However, this aspect of the game is relatively simplified and lacks strategic depth.

The overall gameplay loop involves moving between story segments, exploring dungeons, and developing the village. While this structure can be enjoyable, it tends to become repetitive over time. Missions often involve similar objectives, such as fetching items or replaying the same dungeons, which may lead to a sense of monotony for some players.

Combat System

The combat system is arguably the standout feature of “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles.” It employs a fast-paced, 2D side-scrolling, real-time action mechanic. Players control a party of five characters – three active members and two support members who can be summoned for single actions.

Combat revolves around chaining combos to maximize damage output, with each battle scored based on damage dealt and combo count. Players can perform standard attacks that vary based on button presses and directional inputs. Special abilities can be equipped, with additional effects unlocked by combining inputs with directional commands. Each character also possesses an ultimate move that can be unleashed once a gauge is filled.

The system allows for character switching and dodging, adding a layer of strategy to battles. Players are encouraged to utilize each character’s unique traits effectively. However, the combat system is not without its flaws. Noticeable input delays when performing special moves, switching characters, or recovering from hits can create a jarring experience. This can make it difficult to maintain fluid combos and often leads to unresponsive gameplay.

Additionally, the AI for both enemies and allies is basic, leading to predictable encounters. The game is generally easy, even on normal difficulty settings. The progression system lacks depth, with characters sharing similar skill trees focused mainly on stat upgrades rather than introducing new and interesting abilities.

Verdict

Throughout the review, that Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles offers an experience that, while enjoyable for fans of the series, falls short of being truly exceptional. The game’s strengths lie in its fast-paced combat system and the inclusion of voice-acted dialogues, which add a layer of immersion to the storytelling.

However, the game is hampered by several limitations. The simplistic and repetitive gameplay mechanics may not engage players for long periods. The story progression feels rushed, omitting significant plot points and character developments that could have enriched the experience. The city-building aspect, while present, lacks the depth and strategic elements that could have made it more engaging.

For fans of the That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime series, the game provides a familiar journey through key moments of the story. However, those unfamiliar with the source material or expecting a more in-depth gaming experience might find the game lacking in variety and depth.

After review, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles is a decent adaptation that caters primarily to existing fans. It offers enjoyable combat mechanics and a faithful, albeit condensed, retelling of the original story. However, its repetitive gameplay, lack of depth in city-building, and simplistic progression systems prevent it from standing out in the crowded field of anime-based games.

Reviewed on PS5, code provide by Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles

Release Date TBC

Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox 360, Xbox One

Spin a new tale of the Jura Tempest Federation together with all your favorite characters from the animated series.