Nightcaster Preview
Make the world a better, brighter place in the Xbox's latest action game.
As the Xbox game library continues to bulk up postlaunch, we're starting to see a bit more variety in the genres available for the system. The latest action title for the system, Nightcaster, is a mix of Gauntlet-style adventuring with a bit of RPG powering up thrown in for good measure. Developed by VR1 Entertainment, the game looks to offer some unique gameplay elements and solid graphics. We tried our hand at a build of the game and found it to offer a change of pace from current Xbox fare.
The game puts you in the role Arran, a young boy from the village of Perth, whose life takes a unique turn on a spring day during a game of hide-and-seek. Happening upon a cave, Arran encounters a talking magical orb that enlists his aid in combating the growing evil of the Nightcaster, a malevolent creature who threatens to engulf the world in darkness. To relight the world and abolish the Nightcaster's darkness, Arran must collect four essences of magic, which can be used to fight the Nightcaster. The catch is that the quest to collect the orbs will take years. The young and eager Arran agrees and, orb in tow, sets out for adventuring.
Gameplay in Nightcaster is basically linear action game fare. You'll make your way through a level that features an obvious path to the end, and you'll encounter chests that contain useful items, as well as scrolls and books that provide information on gameplay elements. The most important item you'll encounter will be "spell spheres," magical items that provide Arran with new spells to use or increase the power of spells he already has. Exploring off the path usually yields a hidden item or bonus area of some kind. You'll also encounter a variety of NPCs that offer useful information or initiate quests. A variety of enemies will crop up to stop you, and destroying them yields health- or mana-restoring items and sometimes brings down barriers that block your progress.
An interesting feature you'll notice in the overall gameplay of Nightcaster is that Arran will in fact age as the game progresses. More than just a graphical touch, Arran's age will affect how you play through the game. While Arran is young, his magic will be good but not great, as will his physical attack. As he gets older, you'll notice a better balance between the two for a bit, until he gets to be an old man--at which point physical attacks are simply not a very effective option. Fortunately with age comes wisdom, and Arran's magic is quite powerful--compensating for the potential hip-breaking hazards of elderly combat. It's an interesting bit of gameplay that keeps you thinking as you play the game.
Nightcaster Quick Links
Summary | Reviews | News | Previews & Features | Images | Videos | Answers | Hints & Cheats | Forum | Check Prices
- Microsoft Game Studios
- Jaleco Ent.
- Fantasy Action Adventure
- Release: Jan 21, 2002
- ESRB: Teen
Games you may like…
-
Nightcaster II: Equinox
(XBOX) -
Knight's Apprentice
(XBOX) -
Iron Phoenix
(XBOX) -
Metal Dungeon
(XBOX) -
Stake: Fortune Fighters
(XBOX)
Users who looked at content for this game also looked at these games.
See More Similar Games
0 Comments