Review: Steal Princess (Nintendo DS)
To continue on my cavalcade of monthly Atlus portable titles, this month I bring you Landstalker developer Climax’ platforming-puzzle hybrid Steal Princess. Note that I didn’t classify it as an RPG—though it shares a bit of imagery with Climax’ previous efforts, Steal Princess is, in reality, a platformer encapsulated within 100 mini-levels, all of which contain some sort of puzzle in the vein of many an action-RPG.
The trappings are simple: each level contains a key needed to unlock the door leading to the next level. Armed only with her trusty bullwhip, heroine Anise needs to figure out and solve the different challenges posed in each puzzle room. Also scattered within the levels are gems she needs to collect, and different weapons for her to use; though nothing comes close to the general usefulness of her whip.
Steal Princess’ story is a fairly interesting trope: Anise is kind of like Wario in that she’s an unlikely heroine who saves the day and feeds her own monetary greed in one fell swoop. When the opportunity to rescue a Prince arises, Anise jumps on it under the consolation that she’ll be able to steal as much gems as she wants (hence the title—Steal Princess).
The game also features a rather robust level editor, complete with (despondently) friend code-powered WFC sharing. It’s a great break in between levels, and given the slippery slope the game’s difficulty tangents into at times, you’ll totally need a breather every five or so levels. It’s great for short playthroughs, but some of the room designs can get downright punishing, without any sense of reward upon clearing these difficult areas. But really, that’s my only valid complaint about the game—little things not worth complaining about like the blocky graphics and ugly textures are superficial.
If you miss fixed-perspective isometric games as much as I do, Steal Princess is at least worth checking out.
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: Climax Entertainment
ESRB: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
Official Website: http://www.atlus.com/stealprincess/
The Verdict
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Steal Princess Screenshot Gallery:
To continue on my cavalcade of monthly Atlus portable titles, this month I bring you Landstalker developer Climax’ platforming-puzzle hybrid Steal Princess. Note that I didn’t classify it as an RPG—though it shares a bit of imagery with Climax’ previous efforts, Steal Princess is, in reality, a platformer encapsulated within 100 mini-levels, all of which contain some sort of puzzle in the vein of many an action-RPG.
The trappings are simple: each level contains a key needed to unlock the door leading to the next level. Armed only with her trusty bullwhip, heroine Anise needs to figure out and solve the different challenges posed in each puzzle room. Also scattered within the levels are gems she needs to collect, and different weapons for her to use; though nothing comes close to the general usefulness of her whip.
Steal Princess’ story is a fairly interesting trope: Anise is kind of like Wario in that she’s an unlikely heroine who saves the day and feeds her own monetary greed in one fell swoop. When the opportunity to rescue a Prince arises, Anise jumps on it under the consolation that she’ll be able to steal as much gems as she wants (hence the title—Steal Princess).
The game also features a rather robust level editor, complete with (despondently) friend code-powered WFC sharing. It’s a great break in between levels, and given the slippery slope the game’s difficulty tangents into at times, you’ll totally need a breather every five or so levels. It’s great for short playthroughs, but some of the room designs can get downright punishing, without any sense of reward upon clearing these difficult areas. But really, that’s my only valid complaint about the game—little things not worth complaining about like the blocky graphics and ugly textures are superficial.
If you miss fixed-perspective isometric games as much as I do, Steal Princess is at least worth checking out.
