Batora: Lost Haven Reviews
Batora: Lost Haven is a boring RPG with tedious dialogue and lackluster level design, saved only by adequate combat, respectable art, and a mercifully short runtime.
Setting aside various nitpicks & critiques, Batora: Lost Haven's overarching issue is making Avril's extraordinary journey feel ordinary by the end.
What starts as an exciting adventure of a young savior traveling through different planets loses steam and becomes a tedious enterprise midway. In the end, Batora: Lost Haven aims for a contained narrative that ironically struggles to find balance in a simplistic combat that is marred by difficulty spikes. Alas, fans of isometric action RPG games will find something to love if they are willing to look past its flaws.
It isn’t a bad game by any means, but Batora: Lost Haven doesn’t excel in any particular area, either. It’s a hodgepodge of tried-and-tested mechanics and ideas put together without any real flair, resulting in a game that can be enjoyable at times, but is often repetitive and dull.
Those looking for a new ARPG title that gives them choices might want to look elsewhere, but if you’re looking for an action adventure storyline with tough choices to make, then Batora: Lost Haven might be able to scratch that itch. Just don’t go in expecting a massive game world where you’ll be exploring multiple planets, because that’s not what it’s trying to be.
Batora: Lost Haven is a mix of a lot of different ideas, some of which work well, others which don't. The grand scope of its planet-hopping setting is impressive, but the moral choice aspects and supporting cast feel underdeveloped and shallow. The Nature-switching combat and puzzles also show promise. However, the limited combat options, and puzzles that make use of only a small number of your abilities, cause the experience to become repetitive before its brisk playtime is through. Despite these issues, Batora: Lost Haven is a unique and decent enough experience for sci-fi and action-RPG fans to consider checking it out.
Batora: Lost Haven is the perfect example of a damningly mediocre experience. The few things that it does well-such as its energetic combat and engaging choice system-are nothing that you haven't seen done before elsewhere, while the things that it misses-such as its storytelling and puzzle design-really take the wind out of its sails. Batora has its redeeming traits, but it feels like this is one that just never quite manages to pull everything together in a way that feels worthwhile. This is the kind of game that we wouldn't necessarily recommend you buy or skip; if it feels to you like this is up your alley, then maybe it's worth the punt if you can get it on sale, but you won't be missing out on much if you choose to pass.
The nice-looking visuals and the engaging puzzles that break the monotony of the experience and a few story beats make the experience enjoyable at times, but it could have been so much more.
Overall, Batora: Lost Haven is a fun game, albeit with a few shortcomings.
Batora: Lost Haven proposes an adventure game with plenty of hack and slash action, as well as RPG elements. To that we add a competent and encouraging plot, a dynamic combat system, and a rewarding exploration and the result is a fun and fluid game that is certain to appeal to both veterans and newcomers alike, along with major decisions the player has to take and which are set to test their moral views throughout the experience.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
To be entirely honest, Batora: Lost Haven needed time to grow on me.
Batora: Lost Haven is an enjoyable action-RPG that possesses an intriguing game world and characters, although some issues with combat and general mechanics hold it back from being something that extra special.
Batora: Lost Haven has an exciting opening in its first hours, but gets very repetitive as the game progresses.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Net of excessive linearity and some uncertainty in the gameplay, Batora Lost Haven is a pleasant adventure that keeps players glued to the screen, eager to find out how the epic story of Avril around the galaxy will end.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A solid hack 'n slash action RPG/twin stick shooter hybrid that is held back slightly by formulaic combat
Batora: Lost Haven is an entertaining sci-fi adventure with an appealing graphical style, albeit with some flaws. Recommended if you like action titles with an isometric view and you're looking for a thought-provoking story, but without ever being too challenging.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Batora: Lost Heaven does not set out to develop sophisticated mechanics or a highly explorable universe, but stands out for the simplicity with which it implements its progression and customization systems, focusing on the development of a linear action guided by a typical hero's journey narrative.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Batora: Lost Haven is a perfect fit for Nintendo Switch, sitting well alongside games like Immortals Fenyx Rising. The unique duality system makes for some interesting gameplay. There is a decent amount of replayability with the different endings, though you'll still be through with it fairly quickly.
Batora: Lost Haven is an enjoyable action game with enough combat and puzzles to keep you busy for a while.
A simple and fun Action RPG, a little too hasty in the narrative but supported by well-characterized characters.
Review in Italian | Read full review