Earthlock

 Switch
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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. disposable
    Jan 13, 2020
    2
    Earthlock is a JRPG-like with a mediocre plot, flat characters, and broken combat/progression system. The exp system is constructed to reward fighting large groups of enemies while giving nearly no exp for fighting groups around the player's party size or fewer. This seems like a clever way to reward the inherent difficulty involved in fighting large groups, except the balance is so skewedEarthlock is a JRPG-like with a mediocre plot, flat characters, and broken combat/progression system. The exp system is constructed to reward fighting large groups of enemies while giving nearly no exp for fighting groups around the player's party size or fewer. This seems like a clever way to reward the inherent difficulty involved in fighting large groups, except the balance is so skewed to the horde side that you're better off avoiding any fight with 6 or fewer enemies. If you don't spend time kiting enemies around for exp balls, it's perfectly possible to feel as though you've invested the usual JRPG time commitment fighting mobs while reaching near the end of the game with a single digit level.

    The combat itself isn't much better. To make the horde reward challenging to attain, you only get effective multitarget attacks on certain characters when in a super state with a long cooldown. Enemies tend to have too much health for attacks outside super state, while seeming almost feeble while in super. To make matters worse, the usual balm for JRPG balance woes- equipment- is unrewarding at best. I spent maybe around an hour grinding scrap piles for a midgame dagger only to discover that it gave 20 fewer attack points compared to the starting dagger. Other games don't do this for good reason. First, it's unrewarding. Second, it means that players struggling with boss fights can't turn to the usual 'get money and upgrade gear' method that lets you complete the game even if you can't quite grasp what the dev wanted out of boss fight X.

    Not that the game's plot is worth sticking out the boss fights for. The MC wants to save his sick uncle. That's most of it. Simplicity can facilitate great plots with strong characters behind it, but these are some of the worst I've seen. Look, easy test to see if a set of characters is fleshed out, rather than just tropey sock-puppets. Try to ignore what a character looks like when you read their speech bubble. If you can't tell them apart anymore, the writer was relying on your preconceived notions about what a character looks like to characterize them. Every character in this game has the same voice. What I think really did it for me, though, were the patronizing all caps "WE CAN DO THIS" messages before boss fights. It's the same one before each, but sometimes different characters say... the same message. It makes it abundantly clear that each character is completely interchangeable outside of artistic design.

    A quick note that saves are restricted to statues sparsely scattered around the game. You can't save anywhere else, not even in the overworld. Suffering the combat isn't enough commitment for Earthlock, apparently.

    It's a bad JRPG and I honestly regret playing it. I even like frogs, which makes this more sad than spiteful.    … Expand
  2. Leonas90
    Sep 25, 2020
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game had potential to be good, but alas it feels like it's half finished. It's design is good, and we'll out together but leveling up takes forever. Don't buy! Get FFS or something better.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. CGMagazine
    May 30, 2018
    65
    Earthlock is a good game, locked behind a lack of polish.
    Read full review
  3. Hobby Consolas
    May 28, 2018
    76
    An indie RPG that follows all the imaginable clichés from the 90's J-RPG (except random encounters). The result isn't bad, but some areas have plenty of room to improve (characters and plot won't hook you up completely). But, if you love the genre, you will be able to explore its world filled with tasks for 25+ hours (enjoyable in portable mode).
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »