As always, huge shout out to NIS America, always love working with them when they bring things stateside.
Caligula Effect to as the name says is a sequel to the first one and yes, it is linked but not so much that you have to play the first one. They will explain what you need to know to enjoy the game. That being said playing the first one helps, and if you have the battle system is pretty much the same and is the best part of the series. See it’s turn based, but not really. See when you take your time you can see what’s about to happen and move your characters turn up and down the time table. By doing this you can actually counter what an enemy is do. This may allow you to defend or toss them up into the air, or maybe just move out of the way.
By doing this you can have other characters use their turns to take advantage by using their skills that do extra damage to enemies on the ground or in the air. When you truly get this down you can go entire fights without taking a hit. After battles your characters heal, as the game truly rewards strategy. That being said, I’ve had it work against me and been utterly destroyed by more powerful enemies or simply normal enemies on higher difficulty levels. And I wouldn’t change it for the world.
The story is rather interesting, but if you played the first one there’s nothing new here. You are trapped in a fake world and once someone sees it, the Musicians that work for the person controlling it won’t tolerate you messing with the program. They rather like it the way it is and the people that don’t realize they aren’t in the real world are perfectly content living their fake lives.
Truthfully I’m not even sure we don’t play as the bad guys in these games, more than once I’ve thought the world sucks and wanted something better,who would I be to go and ruin the entire thing for others. That is part of what I enjoy about the game though, it does make you think.
The game looks nice and the music is great, which is good since you are fighting people called musicians. The game is a solid 8/10 and is great for anyone that loves RPGs. Best wishes and may the gaming gods bring you glory.
Savior Gaming 