Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One
Initial release date: August 7, 2024
Developers: ZOC Co., Ltd., MONKEYCRAFT Co. Ltd.
Genres: Role-playing video game, Adventure game, Fighting game
Publishers: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games America Inc.
Engine:Â Unity
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, one of the most popular anime series in recent years, was an obvious choice for a video game adaptation. Given Bandai Namco’s extensive licensing portfolio, which includes Dragon Ball and One Piece, it’s unsurprising that they’re taking on the Slime project.
ZOC Co.,Ltd, a relative newcomer to the game world, has taken over development of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles.
Will it be a memorable debut title, or is That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles simply a cash-grab off the success of the anime?
A debut title to remember?
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles is an action-RPG with city building based on the anime of the same name. It picks up the plot about halfway through the first season, when the goblins and direwolves have settled into a peaceful community owing to the all-powerful slime Rimuru Tempest. Danger is always on the horizon, with feisty ogres, furious hobgoblins, and a cunning majin among the dangerous opponents plotting to upset the peace.
If you’re not familiar with the series, or even if you are, the storytelling is often lacking. Not only does it hurry through the preamble around Rimuru, but the scenes from the anime are essentially still pictures that appear intermittently throughout. Almost everything else in the plot revolves around character images and voiced dialogue, the latter of which is solely in Japanese. This method’s interactions quickly get dull because it fails to convey the charm and hilarious character that can be found in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.
While it covers much of the same ground as the anime, including the war with the Kijin, the menace of the orcs, and the battle against Falmuth, it also introduces two whole new arcs. Without spoiling too much, I believe these would be lot more pleasant in another medium, but not in this game. The individuals in them are visually appealing and distinct, but they suffer from repetitious circumstances and uninteresting conversation.
The gameplay takes place in 2D side-scrolling dungeons with branching passages that direct you to a pathway in the background or front. It allows you to take up to three characters into battle, controlling one at a time, with two more available for assistance only. At some points, you’ll fight adversaries and discover treasure chests, resulting in the collection of supplies, currency, and XP.
Anime to Video Game…
It’s fairly mission-focused from the start, with people in the home base providing the duties. These frequently take you on trips outside of the settlement, into dungeon-like locations with a variety of objectives. You’ll need to either clear a certain region, gather supplies for a request, or face a tough boss. There’s nothing groundbreaking here, but I do like the tasks that require you to bring specific people along with Rimuru, as they challenge you to try something new.
The roster of playable characters in Slime ISEKAI Chronicles is a genuine highlight, with Gobta, Ranga, Shion, Shuna, and many others appearing early on. Every character has standard attacks, special moves, and a secret skill, so testing them all out is actually rather interesting. They also offer elemental bonuses, which might be handy when targeting an opponent’s weakness. It’s entertaining to watch the flaming blazes, lightning bolts, the formation of self-sufficient clones, and other impressive maneuvers. But just for a short while.
You see, it’s quite simple to perform all of the different actions and construct combinations, allowing a broader spectrum of players to enjoy what’s on offer. That’s wonderful, but the problem is that it devolves into mindless battle, and the enemies don’t pose much of a threat to the ordinary player. Sure, the bosses need a little more intelligence to defeat, but they have their own special attacks and are fine. Unfortunately, being placed into the same dull landscapes repeatedly, versus ants, bats, and skeletons, quickly becomes tedious.
Moves and Combos
Even the skill trees do not change much, with simple boosts to defense, attack, skills, and health. Given the abundance of resources that drop, there should be some form of crafting or the ability to equip objects to increase characteristics, but there isn’t. You can eventually learn moves from the people Rimuru frequently pairs up with, but by then, boredom may have set in, and it isn’t a game changer.
Other minor irritations include the visual effects, which frequently make it difficult to understand what is going on, and the extremely slow transition between characters when switching on the fly. Another issue with the slightly larger foes is that their hit zone is unclear, so even if you think you’re targeting their body, you usually aren’t. Don’t even get me started on the AI allies who prefer to observe rather than participate.
Then there’s the construction side of things, which allows you to use the aforementioned elements to transform a modest town into a bustling kingdom. Basic huts are offered at first, followed by marts, apartments, and other items as you continue. What a shame, therefore, that it is so simple and contributes little to the whole experience. Aside from the option to gain a short boost from a certain building, they offer nothing more, and the majority do not look good either. You can’t enter the shop to buy anything or explore the armoury, thus it feels like a squandered opportunity.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles will not win any awards for its slightly strange chibi-style character models and generic backdrops. To be honest, the overall standard is consistent with that of a handheld console game. While this alone should not deter you, it is worth keeping in mind when assessing the other faults.
A little mindless fun
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles provides some thoughtless entertainment through its action and spectacular special moves, but not much else. Despite all of the characters and storylines addressed, the narrative struggles to capture the excitement of the anime and ultimately loses charm. The majority of the quests are repetitious, the dungeons become tedious quickly, and the city-building part appears half-finished. Actually, the entire experience feels as if it is lacking a few basic concepts that may increase enjoyment tenfold.
Review Overview
Gameplay – 75%
Controls – 72%
Aesthetics – 78%
Content – 70%
Accessibility – 68%
Value – 73%
Overall Rating – 73%
GOOD!
Summary: “That Time I Was Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles” offers an entertaining experience for fans of the series but falls short in a few areas. While the gameplay is fun, it lacks depth and can become repetitive over time. The controls, though generally smooth, can feel clunky in more complex battle situations. Aesthetically, the game is bright and faithful to the anime, but some of the visuals are a bit dated. The content offers a decent amount of quests and storylines, though it could benefit from more variety. Accessibility may present a challenge to newcomers, but fans will find value in the game’s engaging storyline. Overall, it’s a good game for fans but not without its limitations.