Summary
At first glance, the worlds ofSoulslikegames and anime seemingly lack any points of intersection, butLittle Witch Nobetabridges the gap with an unexpected crossover between Japanese culture and the dark-themed genre. Developer Pupuya Games combines the aesthetic of a magic girl with the dark setting in a third-person shooter RPG, and this union gives players a distinctive gaming experience.Little Witch Nobetafeatures an anime-inspired cast and action-centric gameplay, delivering a refreshing take on the gloomy scenery in a change of pace from the dark themes that have propelledSouls gamesto stardom. With gleaming reviews from its player base and critics alike,Little Witch Nobetahas something to offer lovers of anime and the Soulslike genre, and both sets of fans should check out the 3D action shooter.
Stemming from theDemon’s SoulsandDark Soulsmainline series from FromSoftware, Soulslike has become the defining word for exceedingly difficult games set in dark-themed fantasy worlds, often strongly emphasizing the medieval aesthetic.Little Witch Nobetaportrays the characteristic Soulslike gaming elements in an unorthodox manner, lightening the gloomy atmosphere with colorful characters like Vanessa, adopting themagical girl animevisuals in its shooting dynamics. Magical abilities and cute characters form an unlikely mixture with the macabre concept of Souls, but judging from fan engagement, Pupuya Games did a good job at blending the polar opposite themes inLittle Witch Nobeta.
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Nobeta Brings the Best of Anime and Soulslike Games Together
Little Witch Nobeta’s story begins with the protagonist, Nobeta, arriving at a mysterious castle in the Misty Moon Forest. Having no recollection of her identity or the journey that led her to the fortress, she is driven by a subconscious desire to reach the Throne. Nobeta soon finds a small black cat under attack from Crafted Souls, and she rescues the animal from the ghost-like entities, teaming up with her newfound feline friend to explore the castle. As the band travels the map, players learn about snippets of Nobeta’s past and discover enemies of varying difficulties, engaging in combat with ranged magic.
The tale ofLittle Witch Nobetaexplores themes of identity, free will, and the nature of evil, and this anime-inspired soulslike game captivates players with its well-crafted boss battles, exploration, and engaging combat mechanics. Magic plays a central role inLittle Witch Nobeta’s gameplay, and gamers can blast enemies with elemental spells ranging from arcane to thunder. The title’s shooting mechanics allow players to toggle between locking onto targets and free aim inclassic shooter RPGfashion. Additionally, the level design offers a well-crafted and interconnected castle to explore, accentuated by puzzle elements, and each area provides diverse experiences, from the strange aura of the entrance hall to the workshop.
Isekai anime series likeSword Art Onlinehave seen a surge in popularity in recent years, andLittle Witch Nobetatakes advantage of this fanfare by skillfully combining the charm of magical girl anime such asLittle Witch Academiawith contrasting dark fantasy elements fromMadoka Magicato create a unique character design for its protagonist. The title’s soundtrack was composed by Keiichi Okabe, popular for his work on series likeSteins;Gate, further enhancing the anime-inspired atmosphere.
Nobeta, nodding to its Soulslike theme, can be a challenge for even the most tenacious gamers, although Pupuya Games allows players to set their preferred difficulty levels. Much likeElden Ring, the game’s bosses such as The Stitched Doll and The Crawling Horror are hellish opponents that stretch the limits of gaming ability, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with passing a level inLittle Witch Nobetais quite rewarding. Its anime-styled protagonist and the scary undertones fuse into a dangerous and thrilling adventure, making tantalizing playthroughs for fans of anime andSoulslike gamesalike.
Little Witch Nobetais available on PC, PS4, and Switch.
