Legend of Cenama is a fun-loving and free-spirited throwback to initial Final Fantasy games. On that note, stark similarities are apparent throughout. Not least so, when it comes to core systems and mechanics. Though that may be true, Legend of Cenama can announce its arrival on the RPG genre with plenty of pride.
Mainly, thanks to its swirling story, imaginative world-building concepts, and a genuinely mesmeric OST. In what is a faithful homage to the classic RPGs of old. But also, it draws upon elements from many popular games such as Pokemon, Final Fantasy, and Shining Force.
Legend of Cenama is an action-adventure RPG played from the overhead perspective. Kind of what nostalgic genre-buffs refer to as a traditional, top-down, turn-based RPG. Very much a retro-styled game, in all but a few aspects. Additionally, the visuals go some way in complimenting this format.
One element that genuinely shines out is the graphics. For me, the vibrant 2D textures and vivid character sprites add plenty of pop, injecting the game with immense personality. All the while, giving Legend of Cenama, an identity, in its own right. Also, the bold pixels and jagged polygons hark back to a by-gone era — very much reminiscent of archaic RPG's. Or, to phrase that another way; Legend of Cenama is highly pleasing on the eye, in a bright and bubbly kind of way.
Above all else, the soundtrack is the star attraction. Truly fantastic. On that note, each soaring melody matches any action manifesting on the screen. Meaning, there's are a real sense of awe and wonder which envelopes you with each upcoming settlement. So much so, that I had no choice, but to explore every corner and crevasse of each passing town.
In short, these glitchy beats add plenty of atmosphere and ambiance, at every turn. And thus, do an excellent job of cementing the tone in certain sections. While in others, the mellifluous scores issue that fond, homely feeling that derives from an attachment to a person or place. The OST is, without a doubt, my favorite facet of the game.
Of course, exploration is a fundamental feature of any RPG and a substantial motivating factor for many. And thankfully, Legend of Cenama ticks all the appropriate boxes in that regard. Well, for the most part, anyway. On my travels, I ventured far from the beaten track, unearthing long lost treasure, unique weapons & armor, secret passages, and random monsters.
For instance, there's the small matter of the stray mummy/zombie, spewing obscene nonsense outside of the Ancient Ruins. Without meaning to give the entire game away, this was a foe, that I massively underestimated, to my detriment. I'm sure you'll see why.
One thing you'll notice, as you plot your course through Cenama, is the simple, easy-to-use U.I. An interface, ideally navigable for both newbies and veterans, and one that's effortless to master. Concerning the controls, I played with a gamepad, and within 5 mins, the control scheme had become second nature. I can't speak for the keyboard and mouse combo, however. But, all in all, my experience was a notably good one.
Also, the contextual menu tabs and stat indicators are, structured in such a way, that you gain a grasp of the layout relatively quickly. At least, that's the impression I got. Also, the ability to sprint through dungeons. And, the option to pick and choose between battles, prevents a lot of hassle, in what would otherwise be deeply anxious moments trying to escape claustrophobic lairs. Fighting for your life with minimal health points, only to get involuntarily dragged into another dust-up. Although, that does eliminate some of the challenge. But I for one, prefer it this way.
From start to finish the game rarely holds your hand. And while there are items that strongly aid your cause, you'll meet a fair share of fearsome foes. All of which seemingly obstruct progress, and stop you in your tracks. On the surface, these may seem like unfair grind walls, strategically placed to help you advance in level. That is, before a critical stage or boss. But, I found a decent challenge on more than one occasion. Often, requiring a reshuffle of my inventory items to come out victorious.
Alternatively, I'd seek out new sword, staffs, and shields from the armory, trying out various combinations. And, often, these subtle changes worked wonders on the battlefield, instilling an enormous sense of satisfaction.
Lastly, we have the story. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the strength of the narrative on offer here. The Legend of Cenama follows the exploits of protagonist Toktok, who, soon discovers that people are mysteriously vanishing across Cenama. From then on, Toktok is tasked by order of the king, to investigate, and put a stop to, the plethora of disappearances plaguing Cenama.
Along the way, you'll add fresh recruits to your roster, begin a blossoming romance, and fight for the sheer survival of the planet amidst, a dark and everpresent, existential threat.
The plot is propelled further thanks to an array of dialogue options, and unique speech trees. As the game progresses and the plot thickens, especially towards the tail end, choices carry drastic consequences, profoundly impacting the outcome of the game. I enjoyed these choice-based elements immensely.
Legend of Cenama is a spirited love-letter to the legendary RPG's of old, and overall, I came away wholly satisfied with the final result. Fans of old-fashioned RPG's should add this game to the collection. In truth, there's more than enough content here to warrant the price tag, twice over. Grab a bargain today!
