Earthlock

 Switch
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. Let's Play Video Games
    May 16, 2018
    70
    Earthlock isn’t going to do much for JRPG veterans, as it lacks a level of polish and epic storytelling of series like Final Fantasy and Persona. But, for people like me who bounce off of anything even remotely hinting at a random encounter or linear dungeon, Earthlock manages to maintain the feel of a JRPG while adding and tinkering with a formula that’s been codified over literal decades. I couldn’t tell you what on God’s green earth is actually happening in it, but I can definitely tell you it’s worth your time regardless.
  2. Switch Player
    Mar 30, 2018
    70
    A love letter to the PS1-era JRPGs of old, Earthlock: Festival of Magic is perfectly at home on the Nintendo Switch, delivering a by-the-numbers but solid turn-based battler with an engaging underdog story.
  3. CGMagazine
    May 30, 2018
    65
    Earthlock is a good game, locked behind a lack of polish.
  5. NintendoWorldReport
    Apr 16, 2018
    60
    Without its own original or unique hook, Earthlock just feels bland and dated. For a independent developer to be able to carve out a piece of the RPG market dominated by big players like Atlus and Square Enix you need to bring something new and unique to the table and unfortunately this is something that Earthlock doesn’t accomplish.
  6. Cubed3
    Jun 19, 2018
    50
    Those looking for a turned-based RPG, inspired by the golden oldies, are advised to look exactly where Earthlock took its inspiration from, as it's not very good at what it does. Some neat ideas have been included, but these can't make amends for a lack of an engaging plot, or fun battles.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28
  1. MrTusks
    May 31, 2018
    6
    I grabbed Earthlock because I wanted an old-school turn-based RPG to hold me over before Octopath Traveler, and I can report that it servesI grabbed Earthlock because I wanted an old-school turn-based RPG to hold me over before Octopath Traveler, and I can report that it serves that purpose perfectly well!

    Basically, you command a group of colorful characters in an effort to save the world. If you've played Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy IX, you'll feel right at home. It hits all of the sweet spots that AAA RPGs tend to ignore nowadays, like true turn-based combat, static character classes, and a single linear story. Explore a dungeon, fight monsters, loot chests, hope you make it to the next save point. All good stuff.

    Unfortunately, the pacing docks it several points for me. Battles are slow (you can speed them up, but you have to toggle it on every battle). Natural progression will lead you to bosses you have no hope of beating, forcing you to grind. Instead of MP there are "amri points," which require you to skip a turn to recharge. The battle menu is confusing at first and annoying for the rest of the time, occasionally leading to missed button presses--I don't think Square has a copyright on the Fight Magic Item menu, do they? The confluence of all these factors make the game susceptible to the major complaint I have with games these days: It drags, and I'm ready for it to end so I can move on to something else.

    All in all, its good if you can get it on sale. Unless Octopath is out when you read this, then just get Octopath.    … Full Review »
  2. mangopy
    Apr 2, 2020
    8
    I enjoyed it. Almost like pokemon style battles which are turn-based. There is a group of characters that you play and you get to build yourI enjoyed it. Almost like pokemon style battles which are turn-based. There is a group of characters that you play and you get to build your weapons with the scarce materials around the game and the bosses are challenging as well. I bought it for more or less Php200+ but I think it's worth it for that price since it took me months to finish the game.… Full Review »
  3. Flammie
    Jan 26, 2021
    7
    Earthlock is a classical JRPG with a decent battle system and cast of characters. The plot is interesting enough to carry through the game,Earthlock is a classical JRPG with a decent battle system and cast of characters. The plot is interesting enough to carry through the game, though a lot of side quest content is very basic fetch quests, and repeated ones for no real reason than to extend the time waste. One of the biggest problems is that while the characters have a bit of personality, this is not developed efficiently enough in the game plot throughout so the plot is just slightly above average; one of the typical problems of indie games is that you never see expressions of the characters, so they end up seeming plain and motionless. The difficulty kind of spikes in the boss battles and few points here and there, but e.g. all boss battles are doable by learning some special tactic. Dungeon and map design is good, only few of the dungeons towards end game feel stretched for no reason, but ok. Much plus points for Norwegian translation, I wish more companies would do this more often, I love learning languages and Norwegian happens to be on my todo list.… Full Review »
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