Platform reviewed: Steam
Price: $17.99
RPGs are my go-to genre, and I’m always fascinated when new twists appear. So, when I saw that Flowstone Saga combines RPG elements with a Tetris-like mechanic, I immediately felt intrigued. For the most part, I enjoyed Flowstone Saga. While the Tetris aspect sometimes feels repetitive, and certain elements seem less developed or impactful, the story in Flowstone Saga truly shines—it’s what kept me engaged throughout my time with the game.
The battle mechanics focus on Tetris. Completing lines deals damage to enemies, but there’s an RPG twist. For example, enemies attack in a turn-based manner and drop blocks that obstruct my ability to complete lines. I can anticipate which enemy will attack next, as they highlight, allowing me to target them directly to disrupt their attack. Throughout the game, I find weapons and equipment that boost my attack power, either through treasure or purchases. However, after discovering a weapon that hits all enemies when I clear a line with a red block, I never felt the need to switch. In most RPGs, finding a new weapon usually means an upgrade, but that didn’t hold true in Flowstone Saga. Perhaps other players might prefer different weapons to suit their playstyle, but I never felt compelled to change.
Flowstone Saga includes several other RPG elements. It offers a skill tree that provides benefits, like dealing more damage when completing lines or starting battles with pre-completed lines. Leveling up unlocks new skills or enhances existing ones through perks, with each skill offering three levels of improvement. A mana system also comes into play, with a meter that fills as I complete lines or connect stars on pieces. Once I fill the bar, I can summon a straight line or cast elemental magic, which unlocks as the story progresses. While these mechanics bring some clever ideas, the battles eventually start to feel repetitive. To be fair, most RPG battles can get repetitive, but playing Tetris repeatedly becomes a bit tedious. I found myself avoiding enemies just to return to the story.
The story stands out as Flowstone Saga's strongest aspect. The game takes place in the same world as Tangledeep, which I haven’t played, but after diving into Flowstone Saga, I feel tempted to explore it. I play as Mirai, a young girl discovered by a village elder near the ocean. With no memory of her origins, I learn about the world alongside her. Mirai soon discovers her mystical powers (Tetris), which she—and I—uncover while exploring a cave and interacting with what seems like alien technology. Mirai’s abilities aren’t just for combat; sometimes, I solve small puzzles by playing Tetris to complete a picture. But the story doesn’t focus solely on Mirai’s past; it also delves into the characters she meets along the way. Twists and turns abound—I thought one character was the antagonist, only to uncover a much bigger threat. Even then, the game offers a rich backstory that explains why some characters seek revenge, even if their anger is misplaced. This story kept me engaged, and while it uses familiar tropes, it presents them in a way that kept my attention.
Earlier, I mentioned that some elements in Flowstone Saga feel less developed. The game includes a fishing mechanic—something I usually enjoy—but I never felt motivated to engage with it. Similarly, while I could collect items to decorate my house, the feature lacked significance and felt underdeveloped. Side quests accompany the main story, and at first, I tried to complete every quest available. However, I soon found myself skipping side quests just to follow the main story. These features feel oddly placed when they don’t add much to the overall experience.
Final Score: B-
Flowstone Saga excels with its story. I loved uncovering Mirai’s past alongside her, learning the truth as the story unfolded. The cast of characters feels authentic, and at times, former enemies turn out to be misunderstood, while the real villain proves far more dangerous. The battle mechanics initially felt fresh, but they soon became repetitive—after all, how much Tetris can one really play? Considering some elements lacked depth, I think Flowstone Saga could have benefited from skipping a few underutilized features and focusing more on a traditional RPG approach. I appreciate that the developers tried something new, and the Tetris-inspired battle mechanics tie in well with Mirai’s abilities, but perhaps it ended up being a bit too much of the same thing.
Review code provided by Novy Unlimited.
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