Three and Out – ‘Battle Chasers: Nightwar’

Battle Chasers: Nightwar (BC:N) is a compelling emulation – with additional modern elements – of classic JRPGs. The characters are unique and interesting with backstory that is revealed through a mixture of main story and side quests. Gully, a nine year old girl that has inherited her father’s legendary gauntlets, is the heart of the cast. She is young and naïve in a dangerous and mature world that punishes her hopefulness. The group she is with are more allies than they are heroes; each knows Gully’s father, Aramus, and are dedicated to protecting her on her search for him. They all have their flaws – whether that be drinking too much to mitigate the loss of a loved one, or having an identity crisis – but are loyal to their cause. The groups bond is what grows the most.

The gameplay is natural and flows well, especially the combat. It’s strategic and flavorful. The characters each have something that contributes to their dominant feature in battle. Garrison, the morbid and serious swordsman, consistently hits like a truck. But where he shines in strength, he lacks in defensive options with the exception of some tasteful lifesteal abilities. This too is a reflection of his character. He is strong but reckless, and it has hurt him in the past in a way that he struggles to overcome. Every personality is canon to the gameplay, especially in the unforgiving dungeons. The careful and gentle War Machine heals us, the Mercenary Pirate stealths us from our enemies, and the Demon Hunter offers us risk for reward. In every interaction, even the small bits of inconsequential dialogue, their personalities are deeply reflected.

The time spent between plot dungeons highlights interpersonal conflict and personal challenges, as well as the result – and sometimes the price – of resolution. BC:N is about the bond between the characters and less about the narrative that ultimately succumbs to the trope of “heroes on an adventure save the world…for now.” To single out that flaw would be to overlook the nuances that otherwise make BC:N a new-age classic. It shares traditional features of old JRPGs like in-depth character development, but differentiates itself through features like dungeon crawls that make the grind less repetitive and instead generate value even though it comes at a risk. And that seems to be a common theme of the gameplay and the narrative, each complimenting the other. Risk is inherent in trying to resolve that which challenges us, and even though it’s been a while since the “golden age” of JRPGs, Battle Chasers: Nightwar is worth the investment.

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