Earthlock: Festival of Magic

 Xbox One
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 47
  3. Negative: 9 out of 47

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  1. Pasifull
    Dec 8, 2016
    6
    For each interesting innovation, there are 3 or 4 areas that are, at best, uninspired and, at worst, frustrating mis-steps. It's obvious this game is mostly aiming at (J)RPG veterans, which may be it's biggest mistake as that crowd has seen this done much better elsewhere.
  2. Daelus
    Oct 9, 2016
    6
    Truth be told I would rate this game a 5.5, but as that isn't an option, given that it is the first jRPG that I haven't absolutely hated in the last 6 years, I rounded up :)

    Even though not made by a Japanese dev, this is typical jRPG fare...turn-based combat, linear world, cartoonish graphics and simple story.....while the genre was cutting edge 15 years ago it has not innovated past    Truth be told I would rate this game a 5.5, but as that isn't an option, given that it is the first jRPG that I haven't absolutely hated in the last 6 years, I rounded up :)

    Even though not made by a Japanese dev, this is typical jRPG fare...turn-based combat, linear world, cartoonish graphics and simple story.....while the genre was cutting edge 15 years ago it has not innovated past that very basic, almost childish style. The true turn-based growth have come from game like Divinity:OS and Wasteland 2....shame.

    That said, this game:

    Pros
    Serviceable story...not good but not bad.
    Pairing system was an interesting twist that I really enjoyed.
    Abilities Board was reasonably well done.
    Almost charming

    Cons
    Within 10 minutes I had to turn the music down to 1.....god-awful horrible without let-up.
    Combat is too easy without any need for strategy.
    None of the characters are fleshed out....never felt vested in any of them    … Expand
  3. blankwave
    Sep 3, 2016
    9
    After playing I Am Setsuna I was pretty sure I was set for the year on RPG's but along came this awesome gem of a game. The growing/crafting system is pretty great and I really like the way your team members team up as pairs adding passive bonuses in combat. I want to remain as spoiler free as possible so I won't comment on the story so far but I dig it. I'm giving it a weak 9 right now asAfter playing I Am Setsuna I was pretty sure I was set for the year on RPG's but along came this awesome gem of a game. The growing/crafting system is pretty great and I really like the way your team members team up as pairs adding passive bonuses in combat. I want to remain as spoiler free as possible so I won't comment on the story so far but I dig it. I'm giving it a weak 9 right now as I have a ways to go in the game but the signs so far are strong, especially for it being a $29.99 game (but FREE in sept for Xbox Gold members). UPDATE: Another 10 hours in and this game has really blossomed. To anyone who has only tried the first few hours, pick it up again and you'll find yourself pleasantly surprised. There are some minor issues where the game has frozen or gets tearing, but nothing game breaking. There is one song that gets old fast which was a bummer since the area it played in was one of the longest areas I've been in so far.… Expand
  4. nibetac
    Sep 5, 2016
    5
    While not a terrible game, Earthlock has some minor issues that stack up to major annoyances. In the game, your magic or skill abilities use up yellow "Amri" squares and you must regenerate those squares over time by spending turns using basic attacks. This prevents you from, say, spamming an ability that hits all enemies on the screen repeatedly and forces you to vary up your attacks; allWhile not a terrible game, Earthlock has some minor issues that stack up to major annoyances. In the game, your magic or skill abilities use up yellow "Amri" squares and you must regenerate those squares over time by spending turns using basic attacks. This prevents you from, say, spamming an ability that hits all enemies on the screen repeatedly and forces you to vary up your attacks; all in all a sensible move from the developers.

    However, NONE of the enemies in the game have to follow these rules. This is not an annoyance when fighting your basic grunts, but when you're fighting an enemy who uses "Cloak" on every turn and becomes invulnerable while safely attacking you, it's a problem. Similarly, when fighting enemies who can confuse, slow or poison your party, they tend to spam that ability every turn which makes a battle that should only last a few minutes take upwards of 10 minutes to complete.

    Or how about that boss a few hours into the game that can wipe your party with a few uses of an ability that hits your entire party for 200-300 damage? Oh, you didn't know? You're supposed to grind out 2 or 3 levels before facing him to even stand a chance. RPGs that force grinding to progress the main story should have went the way of the dinosaur after the first few Final Fantasy's and Dragon Warriors. But Earthlock brings back that terrible design decision in all its glory.

    Couple that with a glitchy UI that prevents enemies from showing up in your Bestiary, a crafting system that forces you to babysit plants to get ammo and skills, to an overly-completed party bond system and you have a bunch of good ideas that don't stack up to much fun when combined. At least none of the characters are voiced though. I can only imagine what hideous voice they would assign to a character like Gnart...    … Expand
  5. yourcast
    Sep 6, 2016
    10
    Simply a beautiful (J)RPG which will give you hours of throwback goodness. The pairing and a few other gameplay gems were also a pleasant surprise. Give it a try is my recommendation.
  6. SNESStarter
    Sep 2, 2016
    0
    This RPG is fantastic. Unlike the competitors, Microsoft's Games with Gold promotion releases incredible games monthly and this is no exception. Earthlock reminds me so much of what the Tales series was like before it went into the gutter. The turn-based combat is done perfectly and the party members have unique designs. The biggest joy though comes from the soundtrack, which is great.
  7. Mjukost
    Sep 11, 2016
    9
    A great game! I had no expectations at all, I was just looking for a turn based jrpg. What a surprise! Great character building, tactical combat and crafting.

    Long time since me and my gf had so much fun in a game. There is so many different setups to try that works different. Good difficulty on the most of the bosses. The only bad, bit too short, targeting in combat is messy and    A great game! I had no expectations at all, I was just looking for a turn based jrpg. What a surprise! Great character building, tactical combat and crafting.

    Long time since me and my gf had so much fun in a game.
    There is so many different setups to try that works different. Good difficulty on the most of the bosses.

    The only bad, bit too short, targeting in combat is messy and can't control the camera in instances.    … Expand
  8. ColdHand
    Sep 10, 2016
    4
    Honestly, if, like me, you used to love those amazing JRPG back in the days, just avoid this game. Earthlock: Festival of Magic is a absolute copy of those old school RPG, a mimic up to the absurd. Yet it seems like the developers were so scared to miss their "homage" that they kept the exact same mechanisms without even trying to add a little bit of intelligence... Save points at specificHonestly, if, like me, you used to love those amazing JRPG back in the days, just avoid this game. Earthlock: Festival of Magic is a absolute copy of those old school RPG, a mimic up to the absurd. Yet it seems like the developers were so scared to miss their "homage" that they kept the exact same mechanisms without even trying to add a little bit of intelligence... Save points at specific locations ? Mandatory grinding and farming ? Overpowered bosses popping up without even a save point before them ? Confusing progression system ? Yep, you'll get all of that. Hence, the typical game session quickly becomes :

    - Save at a save point
    - Play for 30 minutes
    - An OP boss appears and wipes your party
    - Reload an old save
    - Farm for 45 minutes
    - Run back to the save point to teleport at the inn (!)
    - Teleport back
    - Run to the boss avoiding the weaker enemies
    - Fight against him, hoping you've ground enough

    If that's your dope, enjoy. Otherwise, fly, you fools.    … Expand
  9. AAndy
    Sep 6, 2016
    8
    Lemme tell you about JRPG's, they're obnoxious. They follow the Final Fantasy to a T and get by on having beautiful women parade around for eye candy. While I am not about to dismiss a beautiful anime grill, the lack of them in Earthlock: Festival of Magic, greatly upset me.

    That said, this is a great JRPG. Walking around the world is a little under whelming in terms of "stuff to do",    Lemme tell you about JRPG's, they're obnoxious. They follow the Final Fantasy to a T and get by on having beautiful women parade around for eye candy. While I am not about to dismiss a beautiful anime grill, the lack of them in Earthlock: Festival of Magic, greatly upset me.

    That said, this is a great JRPG. Walking around the world is a little under whelming in terms of "stuff to do", but it's charming. Grinding enemies can be a bit of that, a grind, but there's workarounds and special things to do to make sure you're not spending to much time collecting a big mob of dudes to kill.

    Speaking of combat, it's very satisfying. The standard "Tank/DPS/Healer" archetype is instantly recognizable, but that's forced to change into something else when "events" happen in-game. Combat as a whole has a good punch to it and the enemies are varied in design, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities. You'll see synergies between your allies, and there's one boss in particular that culminates your talents up to that point. When you beat him, it'll make you feel all maple-syrupey inside.

    Story's not that interesting, characters need depth other than "HE IS ADVENTUROUS" or "THIS FURRY GUY DISLIKES DIRT" and even the illustrious "I AM THE GENERALS DAUGHTER; LOOK AT MY BLONDE HAIR AS IT CASCADES OVER MY REBELLIOUS CHILD MILITARY JACKET".

    Crafting is quick, easy, and accessible. No need to buy obnoxious amounts of ammo at a town, all you gotta do is grow your own bullets. I remember when I could grow my own bullets, but now my state has a law against that. Ah well. Also when you go to craft ammo, you're near the best character in the game, Frogboy.

    Frogboy is king.

    It's free right now so the game's a 10/10. Probably one of the better new offerings I've had on Games with Gold. However, the quality of the game overs around a 7 or 8. It's good, but there's nothing too spectacular other than the hellafun combat. And Frogboy. Hail Frogboy.    … Expand
  10. ElDrew
    Sep 11, 2016
    10
    Como siempre games with gold nos sorprende con un maravillosos juego, tiene de todo. Jugabilidad, historia, gráficos y ambientación simplemente uno de los mejores rpg
  11. Midget007
    Sep 14, 2016
    9
    Sure the game borrows from all of your favorite RPG memories but is that a bad thing? The combat and upgrade system is deep, the character design is memorable and the lore is thick. I feel like it could used a texture pack upgrade as everything is soft and the lighting is on bloom x100. The menu system lacks some spark as well. I also wish they would have met the next stretch goal andSure the game borrows from all of your favorite RPG memories but is that a bad thing? The combat and upgrade system is deep, the character design is memorable and the lore is thick. I feel like it could used a texture pack upgrade as everything is soft and the lighting is on bloom x100. The menu system lacks some spark as well. I also wish they would have met the next stretch goal and had an orchestrated soundtrack.

    Overall though an incredible RPG that moves at a brisk pace, I would have gladly payed for it if it wasn't free on GWG.    … Expand
  12. Broyax
    Jan 1, 2017
    0
    Les daubes qu'ils vous refilent avec le Gold et faudrait dire "merci" ? mais on paye un abonnement bordel ! et ce genre de petite saloperie n'est rien moins qu'une insulte ou à défaut un foutage de gueule éhonté. Oui, ça revient moins cher quand on pense que ce "Earthlock" est affiché sans remords au prix théorique de... 30 boules (excusez du peu) mais tout de même, un peu de décence !...Les daubes qu'ils vous refilent avec le Gold et faudrait dire "merci" ? mais on paye un abonnement bordel ! et ce genre de petite saloperie n'est rien moins qu'une insulte ou à défaut un foutage de gueule éhonté. Oui, ça revient moins cher quand on pense que ce "Earthlock" est affiché sans remords au prix théorique de... 30 boules (excusez du peu) mais tout de même, un peu de décence !...

    Graphismes 256 couleurs en 1080pet, direction non-artistique japoniaise, niaiserie dégoulinante comme un sirop de grenadine que le gamin myopathe épileptique vient de renverser sur le tapis... on dirait Final Fientasy 7 en HD (prononcez "hacheday") avec l'interface pourravenaze, la musique Bontempi, les bulles de dialogues (en anglais uniquement) au dessus de la tête des **** personnages débilos, l'univers en papier mâché générico-niaiso-japoniais... sauf que les Japonais n'y sont pour rien (pour une fois) !

    En effet, ce truc a été démoulé par des Norvégiens aux neurones surgelés depuis 1997 et programmé avec des raquettes. Un affligeant festival de nullité indé... de plus.    … Expand
  13. jcanfis
    Jan 2, 2018
    8
    I got a copy of this game for free with xbox gold and it really surprised me.

    The game is following a simple path but with a lot of passion in it. It is not trying to do everything and it is not trying to reinvent a genre. There are some bugs and some tasks i do really hate but overall for a free game it is well crafted. negative: - growing plants over and over again - 3d view in    I got a copy of this game for free with xbox gold and it really surprised me.

    The game is following a simple path but with a lot of passion in it. It is not trying to do everything and it is not trying to reinvent a genre.
    There are some bugs and some tasks i do really hate but overall for a free game it is well crafted.

    negative:
    - growing plants over and over again
    - 3d view in combat
    - moving through characters enemy /friends in combat
    - soundtrack in your base
    - a lot of farming is needed :(((

    positive:
    - easy to handle
    - focus on gameplay
    - teleport points
    - soundtrack in opening screen

    Resume: Yes this is no AAA Game but it is well rounded and focuses on the gameplay. The amount of farming i had to do and the growing of plants in my base did annoy me!

    My Rating: Every game i replay gets at least a 7 from me.    … Expand
  14. Rpgssuck317
    Mar 15, 2020
    0
    This game is very boring. Please play Gears of War instead!!! Please quit putting these lackluster games out.
  15. MOLEX3000
    Jun 23, 2020
    10
    Very good game, a reminder of old rpgs! I loved playing it and hope to see a sequel in the future!
  16. Gonzalezperez
    Jun 19, 2020
    10
    buen juego para ser gratis la gente deberia de probarlo no es una joya pero si es bueno
  17. extragame
    Jun 16, 2022
    9
    EARTHLOCK: FESTIVAL OF MAGIC is a game that follows a young hero named Amon on his quest to restore magic to his world. It was inspired by the developer's childhood memories of playing JRPGs on the SNES. The player will explore the open world of Umbra, fight monsters and rival armies, and upgrade their abilities and equipment.

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2016
27
#27 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. GameGrin
    Oct 24, 2016
    65
    Earthlock: Festival of Magic shows that the JRPGs aren’t games of a bygone era. It’s got it’s issues, but it’s still a fun game if you’re a fan of the genre. Hopefully, the developers will have the funds and resources in the future to deliver a more fleshed out experience, but for now, this game is just fine.
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  2. GameSpew
    Sep 17, 2016
    80
    Whilst the art style here verges on the cartoonish, the gorgeous sense of colour and texture really brings the world alive.
    Read full review
  3. ICXM
    Sep 14, 2016
    30
    Earthlock is one of the hardest games to critique. Whilst everything works and is at least competent, everything feels very lacklustre and underwhelming with Earthlock only offering the bare minimum of what a turn-based RPG can offer.
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