Ikenfell Reviews
Ikenfell has interesting ideas in both its story and combat, but it stumbles in execution.
Happy Ray Games succeeded in what they were aiming for with Ikenfell, I just wish they aimed a bit higher. The story doesn't pick up for a long portion at the beginning of the game, and the battle system is interesting but nothing groundbreaking. There is still some enjoyment to be had with Ikenfell, but it feels like it's missing some magic.
Ikenfell is an enjoyable RPG with an interesting story, fleshed-out characters, and a dense turn-based battle system, with a superb soundtrack and some gorgeous environments to boot.
Ikenfell has a unique battle system and story that can make for some of the best moments in an RPG this year, but unfortunately it doesn't always use these to its advantage and has multiple boring boss fights with the plot meandering in the first half. Still, its highs are so high that it is well worth seeing through to the end.
Ikenfell is a charming little turn-based tactical RPG that hooks you in quickly with a well-written story and strong cast of characters and keeps you locked in for its duration with a surprisingly complex combat system. There are accessibility options here to suit all levels of player, a good idea considering how tough some of the battles can be along the way, and, overall, this is a heart-warming and unique entry to its genre that comes highly recommended.
In theory, its intricacies should be bracing, but in practice the fixation on spacing and formation further slows down the pace.
Ikenfell captures the charm of its muses and adds its own flavor to create something unique and rewarding. It’s a clear labor of love, and the result was well worth the effort.
So, while I didn't play Ikenfell when I was 12 because, ya know, it didn't exist in 2004, this game somehow manages to capture an unassuming sense of nostalgia that comforted me throughout the entirety of my playthrough. It brought me back to being that jerk of a preteen, wondering if my crush would message me if my AIM away status was the right set of Green Day lyrics, or if it would ever feel like I was wearing my Hollister shirt rather than it wearing me. But beyond these trivial issues that felt monumental at the time, it made me wish I'd have been gentler to that weird little girl, and told her it's okay to be selfish right now-but make the goddamn most of it and do it with ferocious sincerity.
Ikenfell is a great game wrapped in a small package. Even with small pacing issues and a battle system that I often wanted to skip, I had a surprisingly good time with this game. Almost every aspect of it shines on its own and put together it’s a great retro-style RPG that takes the commonplace world of teenage magic and proves that it can be an inclusive space full of introspection and growth.
There's a lot to love about Ikenfell: its characters, charming narrative, and polished strategic combat all come together to create something truly unique and magical. While it calls on themes from other pop culture titles, the story within is all its own. Slow at first, Ikenfell's true narrative starts to unravel as you meet new friends and unlock clues behind Maritte's sister's disappearance. For $19.99, Ikenfell is well worth the price if you're a fan of pixel games with an inclusive storyline and a beautiful soundtrack.
While I greatly appreciated and enjoyed the story, music, and ambiance of ikenfell, the repetitive nature of combat began to wear on me towards the end despite initially standing out as a fresh take on a classic. Patience will be paramount for those looking to enjoy this gem that is just lacking a bit of polish.
Ikenfell likely won't replace the Harry Potter series as a whole when it comes to providing a signature web of tales centered around a magic school, but it still provides one impressive journey on its own.
The dungeons also have some basic puzzle solving that adds good variety, and it's nothing short of divine that you save the game, change party members, and heal up by talking to a random cat just lounging in place. If Super Mario RPG helped you become a master of timing-based moves, Ikenfell offers a warm and satisfying playthrough. Undoubtedly, though, some will find the non-combat elements overly simple and the battles too demanding.
As far as RPGs go, Ikenfell is one impressive adventure with unconventional yet rewarding combat set in a lighthearted world.
Of course, this shouldn’t deter you if you want to know more about the world and its people. All in all, Ikenfell is an easy recommendation for any RPG fan who wants a fantastical journey with charming characters, great combat, and an excellent soundtrack.
Ikenfell is a difficult game to adjudicate on. In terms of its storytelling and visual presentation, it is an enriching experience that always had me eager to know what was going to happen next. From a gameplay standpoint, it’s a dull slog that just feels like it needed more of a punch and a lot less padding.
It’s not that Ikenfell is outrageously bad or anything—at least, not until the very end—but it suffers from being unnecessarily cumbersome and tedious, sporting a lack of subtlety that eventually comes across as preachy. More than anything, though, I struggle to forgive the fact that it isn’t a tactical RPG at all. Ikenfell is a standard jRPG with a positioning system that barely matters thanks to long-range attacks and enemies’ penchant for moving large distances and teleporting you around.
If you’re into JRPGs and love a good narrative you won’t want to miss Ikenfell.
Old-fashioned role-playing fans, Harry Potter and other magical school environments fans, and enthusiasts for retro games in general will certainly appreciate Ikenfell. Unfortunately, some points prevent the title from becoming really unmissable or extremely memorable. The biggest problems are the structure of the narrative and the unbalanced challenge of the confrontations, but the overall package appeals to several points, such as its visuals, soundtrack, striking story and unique battle system.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Ikenfell is an RPG that captivates with its charisma. The journey of the group of magic students is punctuated by great story moments and good character development, and the retro atmosphere gives its universe a unique charm. Structurally, the game features classic exploration concepts and interesting tactical combat - mixing positioning and action commands was a good idea. However, the title is compromised by conservative aspects and balance issues that can make things frustrating. In the end, Ikenfell is a pleasant experience, even if it is not very special.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review