Lost Eidolons

When I start these reviews I usually have a certain score already in mind. I have a litany of reasons as to why a game scored in a certain category of mine and therefore why it just fell a little short of whatever tier(s) are above that. For Lost Eidolons, I had intended on giving it a 7/10 originally. That's nothing to scoff at in my book, as I literally even label my 7s as "Great" games. However, as I started to think more about it and the different avenues that Ocean Drive took in Lost Eidolons's creation... I began to question that 7.

For those who have no idea what kind of game this is, Lost Eidolons is a tactical turn-based RPG in a medieval-fantasy setting. You play as Eden, a mercenary of sorts from a podunk fishing village, who gets swept up into a rebellion after a daring rescue turns into a noble's murder. While the initial actions weren't the most honorable, no one in Eden's crew is really all that upset because they all know the empire is a shitshow of nepotism and corruption anyway. In for a penny, in for a pound. They go for it, taking their little ragtag merc crew to one of the larger rebelling noble houses to join forces. The only issue here is that despite the virtuous intentions of the rebellion, some backdoor deals and bloodlust keep everything from being as lily white as Eden and his buddies had hoped for.

The Good

The story is great. The writing is really well done, and I can tell that there was a lot of love and heart poured into this game. Hear that, BioWare? Heart. That's the main component Veilguard needed, but I guess it was too much to ask. Sorry. Someone had to say it. Back to Lost Eidolons. The story is filled with turns and plot twists that are difficult to predict. I wouldn't exactly call them completely unpredictable, but there are enough surprises to keep the player guessing as they progress through a fairly linear plot.

Graphics are incredible for an indie game. They're truly impressive when you factor in looking at characters' eyes and don't see those glossed over marbles you find so often in lower budget titles. Ocean Drive excelled in their visuals, fleshing out characters, outfits, background scenery, and more. The art for the transitional scenes between important chapters was also beautifully done.

The score also matched the tone of Lost Eidolons. While it probably isn't as memorable as soundtracks like Gladiator or Braveheart, this one does help to match the mood for whatever atmosphere Ocean Drive was going for. Whether the scene is one of somber tones in a grim acceptance of losing a loved one, or amping up in preparation for a major battle, the soundtrack nails the feeling and brings a sense of gravity to the moment.

Regarding gameplay... hot damn. This is where Lost Eidolons really shines. There are 27 chapters with a story battle apiece, I'll get to that in a minute, and almost every one has a subquest with an optional battle on the side. In the field, Eden and his friends have their own specialties in accordance with their specific jobs and assignments. This makes combat all the more fun because you can always change up someone's approach whether you have them equipped with a grimoire, bow, spear, axe, or simple sword and board. And you're not limited in those regards either. Cross-training helps to open up all sorts of options in battle as well as in that person's particular future as more complex jobs evolve. There are shades of Final Fantasy Tactics in this. Everyone has a part to play, and they can do so however you feel they'll excel. You are the commander, after all. Coming back from the field to Eden's mercenary camp also showcases Ocean Drive's ambition. The camp grows as the story progresses, and so do the options that a player can participate in. Whether training with your fellow companions, discussing the best strategies for horse care, or filling requests for supplies, there are always things to do in camp and they don't feel like annoying little fetch quests. Well done, Ocean Drive, truly.

The Bad

While the game clearly has its amazing aspects, it could have done with a little bit of fat trimming.

Remember when I said we'd get back to the chapters? Well... if you don't remember then you must have some issues because it was like a paragraph ago, but if you do then you probably also recall that I said the game has 27. Twenty-seven chapters? Oof. That's too much. It wouldn't be too much if things were a bit more critical in them. I'd say 20ish chapters are actually necessary for the game and how it flows. That leaves around 5-7 that could have been either eliminated entirely or at least rolled into the others in some form or another. While I beat the game in a total of 50 hours, it started to feel a bit bloated around the 40 hour mark.

The thing that's also confusing in this regard pertains to the story. Now don't worry, I'm not going to backpedal and take back what I said. The story is good. That being said, there are some things that I found odd to be left out. There's a particular betrayal that's referenced a couple times, but nothing comes of it. While that character dies anyway, someone could say "Oh then who cares?" but at the same time... no motivations are given, and I felt like this was a pretty big error on Ocean Drive's part. Most story moments have their place and are done well in Lost Eidolons, but that was not the only head-scratcher for me. And I read the codex entries, so I was well versed enough in the world of Artemesia, but some things that could have been better fleshed out simply weren't. There's an after credits moment that alludes to the idea of a sequel, and not just a spin-off like Veil of the Witch, so perhaps we'll get more information as time goes. Until then, however, I guess we'll just stay as lost as the Eidolons that don't get spoken of until over halfway through the game.

The Glory

Lost Eidolons is an ambitious project that punches well above its weight in the Strategy RPG genre. It has heartfelt moments and expresses genuine loss in the story of a war that drags even the most innocent into its depths. What makes it so unique is in the tales of loss that are peppered throughout the story. This is not a game that seeks to glorify war, even when the war is fought for honorable intentions. The most virtuous of characters can use dishonorable means if the ends justify them. Lost Eidolons actually reminds me of a famous quote from a WWI poet-soldier.

"My subject is war, and the pity of war. The poetry is in the pity."

• Wilfred Owen

8/10 Glorious.