The Witch and the Hundred Knight

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 44
  3. Negative: 11 out of 44
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  1. Gamer.nl
    Apr 14, 2014
    45
    The Witch and the Hundred Knight saves its fun elements until long after the opening. By then you'll probably be long done with this game, which tells a semi-acceptable story extremely badly and regularly frustrates with its gameplay.
  2. NowGamer
    Mar 19, 2014
    45
    The game is an ambitious experiment in fusing two close genres, but instead of creating some ferocious chimera of an RPG, all Nippon Ichi has succeeded in doing is spawning a sad Frankenstein of a game that doesn’t belong here or there.
  3. GameCritics
    Nov 13, 2014
    40
    Metallia's antics coupled with the dull gameplay was just too much to take. Even if it does get better later on, the hours I sunk into the game's unsatisfying mechanics and nasty storyline left me cold. NIS has many good titles in their library, but this isn't one of them.
  5. games(TM)
    May 2, 2014
    40
    From a player's perspective, feels sadly misjudged. [Issue#147, p.123]
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  6. DarkZero
    Apr 18, 2014
    40
    In the end, The Witch and the Hundred Knight is a failed experiment made more noticeable due to its heartlessly joyless story.
  7. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Mar 19, 2014
    40
    The terrible characters and pointless events are likely going to sour the mood for many players.
  8. Cheat Code Central
    Mar 18, 2014
    40
    This game is muddled systemically and its storyline is generally offensive to humanity.
  9. Slant Magazine
    Apr 3, 2014
    30
    This is entertainment of the tawdriest variety, and while a game has no obligation to be significant, it'd be nice if it wasn't so mindless.
  10. Metro GameCentral
    Mar 24, 2014
    30
    It’s great to see the creators of Disgaea trying something new but this charmless, needlessly confusing, action role-player is a failure on almost every level.
  11. RPGamer
    Mar 24, 2014
    30
    It's hard to imagine just what the developers were thinking when creating The Witch and the Hundred Knight. Metallia is so immediately distasteful that most players will be turned off in the first hour, and players who stick it out longer will likely grow bored and annoyed.
  12. Hyper Magazine
    May 4, 2014
    20
    As offensive as it is bland. [June 2014, p.74]
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Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Best PS3 Game of 2014
28
#28 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2014
36
#36 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2014

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 85 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 85
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 85
  3. Negative: 15 out of 85
  1. Arcandus
    Mar 25, 2014
    10
    It always happens that some of the very best titles on a platform are released toward the end of the console's life. They're called anchorIt always happens that some of the very best titles on a platform are released toward the end of the console's life. They're called anchor titles, named so because they make it seem unnecessary- for a time- to pick up a next gen console. The Witch and the Hundred Knight is one of those anchor releases.

    I got the game on the 21st (EU release) and played it day-in day-out until I finished it. I did the grinding for bonus objectives and items and fully explored every map, so this review is based on a complete experience.

    Despite its ostensible billing as a darkly twisted comedy, TWHK is actually quite earnestly dark for a JRPG. Metallica, the titular Witch, is a genuinely wicked individual for most of the game (or all of it, depending on your sensibilities), and as the Hundred Knight you'll witness her committing some straight-up deplorable acts. I was delighted that Metallica's evil wasn't the whimsical, inoffensive cartoonish sort, but your mileage may vary so consider yourself forewarned.

    The story is quite unconventional, especially by the standards of JRPGs. Metallica's goals- and by extension the goals of the Hundred Knight are very straightforward in the beginning, but just like the various combat and resource systems, the story acquires and incorporates additional layers as you progress. That it manages to do so without falling into Squeenix-patented contrivance and convolution and without messing up the pacing is worthy of some praise.

    Speaking of the combat and resource systems, they're introduced at the rate of about one or two per map after the tutorial until they're all in place. If you need to run the tutorial panels again then you can always do so from the main menu, but TWHK's systems interlock so neatly, and are so intuitive, that I very much doubt you'll have to.

    The most significant mechanic is Gcals, which is both a resource and combat mechanic. If I have one big criticism of the game, it's that the Gcal mechanic micromanages the player somewhat, and if you don't pick up on this through regular play, the consequences might worsen your experience.

    Gcals burn down from 100 to zero as you perform actions with the Hundred Knight. From map start, you have about ten minutes worth of Gcals which can be replenished at checkpoints in return for a temporary currency called GRADE. You earn GRADE by killing regular monsters.

    And that is what the micromanagement of you boils down to: TWHK punishes you for bee-lining from way-point to way-point in a race to the map bosses without building GRADE by almost guaranteeing that you'll run into those bosses with too few Gcals left to win. The penalty for death is minor, but it's still an inconvenience, so make sure you nip it in the bud by doing a little fighting all the way.

    Luckily, you'll probably want to fight!

    In order to do violence to Metallica's enemies, you'll build your own combos from weapons that deal either Slash, Blunt or Magic damage. The aim is for a mix that flows smoothly, suits you personally and mixes all three varieties. If this element has one flaw, it's that you can't save configurations and load them at will. That occasional irritation aside, it's a really great element that I had a lot of fun constantly tinkering with.

    The fighting itself is a simple, well trodden concept with solid execution. Dodge, defend and deploy a mixture of attacks and special skills to overcome your enemies. Overhead prompts coincide with enemy wind-ups, but they're neither intrusive nor patronising. Pulling various types of enemies together is incentivised by the soft Gcal time limit and the desire to earn GRADE, and is what ultimately will provide you with the most rewarding battles, as you dodge direct and indirect attacks from all sides while slaying foe after foe.

    Finally, on non-visual atmospheric elements like soundtrack and voice-work, I'll admit up-front that I'm not an audiophile, before saying: the music is fun and catchy- some tracks more than others- but for the most part I didn't notice it (although I might have noticed the absence of it, had I turned it off via its separate slider). The English voice-work is incomplete, not covering all the conversations that are voiced in Japanese. For me this was not a problem, as the Japanese voice-work is usually superior and I switched to it immediately after a quick test.

    Overall, a mighty anchor title for JRPG fans. If that's what you call yourself, then do yourself a huge favour. Buy this excellent game!

    Note: review is *intentionally* bereft of narrative details. Also light on mechanics details, as I only single features out if they are an impediment to the game or like Gcals, require specific addressing. Review is also bereft of commentary on the graphics, as anybody can review TWHK's appearance for themselves on Youtube.    … Full Review »
  2. Demonik420
    Mar 25, 2014
    10
    Pay no mind to the bad reviews from critics who clearly have no appreciation for great Japanese titles. they are all just mind numbed by thePay no mind to the bad reviews from critics who clearly have no appreciation for great Japanese titles. they are all just mind numbed by the **** 4 hour long, western, one big giant quick time events that we call games over here.

    this game has a lavishly beautiful world and equally stunning and sumptuous character designs as is the norm for a NIS title. If you like the Disgaea series you will find everything to love in this game.

    Metallica (Metallia in the western release) is an awesome character and a great change of pace from your normal protagonist! plus shes super easy on the eyes if that's you kind of thing (almost as good as Etna/Flonne (disgaea). i found myself stopping to admire the character art so many times during the dialogue scenes in this game!

    The combat is hands down the best part of the game and will keep you entertained customizing your combos for the entire length of the game. Its always very fresh.

    The music is definitely the music of a NIS title.. and believe me NIS titles have some of THE ABSOLUTE BEST MUSIC IN VIDEO GAME HISTORY.

    The story is solid as well, and as a whole Witch and the Hundred Knight is a fantastic entry into the PS3 Catalog of finely crafted Japanese titles!

    If you are a fan of JRPGs, Action RPGs, or NIS games in general you need to pick up this title! If you don't Metallica will likely kill you with swamp gas, or her devilishly good looks. Both of which are a distinct possibility.    … Full Review »
  3. wolfflow
    Mar 31, 2014
    10
    People saying it's Linear, Repetitive, childish, ugly, boring and easy are 100% wrong. Stop listening to people that barely play the gamesPeople saying it's Linear, Repetitive, childish, ugly, boring and easy are 100% wrong. Stop listening to people that barely play the games before reviewing and watch a walkthrough. This game is gorgeous, original, innovative and exactly what rpg gamers needed.… Full Review »
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