Soul Sacrifice (PS Vita) Review

To Save or To Sacrifice
There are two things that you must do every time you take down an enemy or monster – that is to save or sacrifice them. Between the two, there are some benefits to each of them. When you get to a point where you are fighting a mini boss that turns into human, you will be given two choices; saving or sacrificing them. If you choose to save them, you will gain them as an ally. However, if you choose to sacrifice them, their magical powers will be transferred to you (this can be done also to your allies or friends that you are playing with). Since the leveling system in Soul Sacrifice is based on the health that you can level through saving or magic that you can level through sacrifice, those two things will play a role in the game.

Libron is a magical tome that will let you relieve certain stories of the past sorcerer. For every decision that you do, it will change certain fate or the progress of the game. The saving or sacrificing aspect of the game will come into play in unfolding the game’s story. If at some point you decide to rewrite what is written, you can replay the level. One benefit of saving someone is that you gain them as an ally.

Impressive Presentation
The visuals in Soul Sacrifice is astounding. Despite the lack of in-game cutscenes, the environments that you get to see are refreshing and very detailed. Throughout the game, you will go through certain locales such as the deserts, dungeons, or through an ice barren area. Character customization is present at the very beginning where you can change the way the character looks. Since the game can be played with up to four people, noting the differences will be obvious. As for the voice overs, they are full of emotion. Going through the story of the past sorcerer will touch your heart. Not to mention the soundtrack is phenomenal as well.

Co-Op Play
There are times in the game where taking down bosses is almost impossible. Luckily, both online and local co-op is available. After finishing the first chapter, co-op will be unlocked where you can find players from various parts of the world to play with. Whoever is the host can choose missions that they can do and then they can team up in taking down monsters. Only side quest missions are doable in co-op, while story ones will have to be tackled by yourself only. To fully enjoy what the game has to offer, playing with friends is a must.

NOT

Lack of Explorable Areas
Those who are expecting to see areas that are big and explorable, they will not find it in Soul Sacrifice. The way the level is laid out is like a battle ground. Each of them has their own theme depending on which monster you are defeating. They are not as diverse as Monster Hunter but they’re detailed enough to look impressive on the PS Vita screen. The area that you get to explore isn’t big but fighting several monsters will fit right through. Each areas will not give players freedom to explore as they will put right in the middle of the battle. Since it’s not possible to have items that you can bring, all you need in restoring the power of your offering or gain protective armor can be scavenged in the battleground.

Can Get Very Repetitive
Throughout the lengthy adventure in Soul Sacrifice, you will have to endure the things that you do as they can get repetitive. Majority of the missions involved in every level are to exterminate monsters. Think of this game like Monster Hunter where you will be tasked to kill a lot of enemies, though at least in Monster Hunter, there is more variety like asking you to gather ingredients and some other things that will flesh out the game’s objective. In Soul Sacrifice, you are purely taking down monsters from the very beginning until the very end. If you have the driving force to be the most powerful mage in the game, you will not get bored or feel that it’s repetitive.

VERDICT

Despite being nothing more than a Monster Hunter clone, Soul Sacrifice is quite different in a number of ways. Not only does it stand on its own merits, but also it delivers the concepts in a completely different way than Monster Hunter. From the story through its monster slashing aspect, Soul Sacrifice excels in those departments. The gameplay is fun enough to keep Monster Hunter fans interested. Overall, some parts of the game are fun, although the lack of diversity between missions can get repetitive at times. Either way, those who are looking for a Monster Hunter replacement on the Vita will enjoy Soul Sacrifice regardless of the flaws.

[Editor’s Note: Soul Sacrifice was reviewed on the PS Vita. The game was provided to us by the publisher for review purposes.]