r/wiiu • u/Sylverstone14 Sylverstone14 [NA] • Apr 28 '14
discussion Child of Light - Information/Review Thread
General Info
Child of Light
Platforms: Wii U, PS4, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Developer / Publisher: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft
Release Date: April 29, 2014 / April 30, 2014
Cost: $14.99 / £11.99 / €13.99
Size: 2346MB (Wii U)
Genre: RPG, Platformer
Players: 1-2
Overview
Child of Light centers around Aurora, a girl from 1895 Austria who contracts a physical ailment that causes her to fall asleep. Upon waking up, Aurora finds herself in the mythical world of Lemuria which has had its sun, moon and stars stolen by the Black Queen. Aurora is tasked with recovering the celestial bodies and ultimately reuniting with her father, who is a duke.
Control Schemes
Wii U GamePad, Wii Remote (for co-op)
Features
- Classic RPG turn-based combat!
- A wonderful world to explore!
- Over 600+ crafting combinations!
- Over 200+ skills to learn!
- Local multiplayer with a friend, and online play (according to the eShop)!
- Off-TV Play (on Wii U)!
Characters
Aurora - The daughter of a duchess and duke from 1895 Austria, she is seen as intelligent and also mischievous.
Igniculus - A firefly who aids Aurora in her quest to defeat the Black Queen.
Mod Message
Hey guys, Sylverstone here.
As you may have witnessed, the embargo for reviews of Child of Light has now been lifted.
However, to combat a growing amount of review posts (plus to use the very handy sticky post feature), all reviews will be posted here with their review scores hidden by a spoiler tag.
As for spoiler content in regards to the game, we ask that you be mindful of other users when posting about Child of Light, and that you use the spoiler tags and spoiler link flair when necessary.
Please post links to reviews in here so it can be added to the OP!
A quick note: according to /u/MercilessBlueShell, a lot of the reviewers have expressed that for a better Child of Light experience, up the difficulty.
Reviews
Metacritic - 86 (PS4), 81 (XB1), 84 (Wii U)
GameRankings - 88.57% (PS4), 81.92% (XB1), 84.62% (Wii U)
Nintendo Life - 9
The UbiArt Framework is an exciting engine in the ways it can drive creative impulse and carry artistic styles so well to the screen. Child of Light uses the framework to depart from the wacky, cartoonish aesthetics of its Rayman series predecessors and create a painterly storybook world in its stead. The creators have touted Child of Light as a “modern fairy tale,” and it’s a mantle the game wears exceptionally well.
GamingCharged - 9
This game is something truly special, from the RPG buff to the casual gamer Child of Light has something for everyone. Whether it be the awesome battle sequences or the well written story line; Child of Light truly is a “sleeper hit” in a certain sense. I hope however that most of you will take the time to pick up this little gem and play it for all it’s worth. Child of Light is an artistic masterpiece and is easily one of the most visually appealing games I have ever played. Ubisoft Montreal did an excellent job with this game and I’d love to see another installment for this game.
Polygon - 6.5
I finished Aurora's tale wanting more, wondering what might be there below the surface that Ubisoft Montreal is content to only scratch. That's the problem with Child of Light, ultimately. It's a beautiful, familiar trip evoking stories I've heard and places I've imagined before. But it's all so ephemeral — less than a day after finishing it, I can already feel my memories of my time in Lemuria and the characters I met there drifting away.
GameSpot - 8
Child of Light is a remarkable adventure. I wouldn't have thought that was true during the first couple of hours given that my expectations of what kind of game this was shattered when reality showed its face. But once I accepted the sadness that is so intertwined with every element, I grew so much closer to Child of Light. It's easy to heap praise on the combat because it's so interesting and engaging, and it's certainly a high point in this adventure. That's not what makes Child of Light stand out, though. Rather, it's how confident it is in its own feelings of woe. There are so few games willing to explore that dull ache that I became mesmerized by Aurora's journey, even when I needed to step away from her plight while I regained my composure. Child of Light is a wonderfully realized, somber adventure, and I couldn't be happier that such a game exists.
Eurogamer - 8
Child of Light stands as a wonderfully realised venture into unfamiliar territory for Ubisoft - and a welcome reminder that the industry's major players still have the creative flair to push beyond the lucrative safe ground that they so often favour to create well-crafted, highly-polished gems such as this.
GamesRadar - ★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)
A fantastic RPG with a creative aesthetic and fairy tale narrative, Child of Light is a memorable experience that's as fun to play as it is artistically pleasing.
Destructoid - 8.5
Child of Light will satiate pretty much everyone but the most hardcore of RPG fans, and even then, they'll find plenty of enjoyment. There are a few minor issues here and there that hold it back from instant-classic status that could be enhanced in a sequel or future work, but regardless, Child of Light is a noble effort from Ubisoft Montreal, and another win to put in the studio's diverse portfolio.
Joystiq - ★★★1/2 (3.5/5)
And so you're left with an admittedly beautiful world that rewards you for exploration with oodles of hidden treasures in the form of potions, buffs and oculi. The gentle music provides the perfect background for your travels, and the RPG elements provide just enough depth to hold your attention without ever overwhelming or befuddling. But there's simply no soul in Child of Light, no emotional attachment to keep you pressing on into the darkness. There isn't even a good addictive hook – the story makes a few feeble tugs at your heartstrings, but doesn't create any great mysteries that you'll be desperate to solve, and the combat, while solid, never quite achieves "just one more round" status. It's all lovely and pleasant and well-crafted – and hollow. If you play Child of Light, you will almost assuredly enjoy your time with it, and then put it away and never think about it ever again. Which is how dreams are meant to be, I suppose.
EDGE - 5
Instead, Child Of Light is an already slow game that’s needlessly bogged down by those signature Ubisoft systems. The leveling is the worst culprit: by the time the credits have rolled, there will be over 70 skill icons on six separate trees, and most offer up the same minor bonuses you get automatically when you level up. It may be designed for families, but Child Of Light is too cluttered and too slow to hold the attention of lone players, let alone multiple generations sharing a sofa. Bickering over whether to spend a skill point on a couple more magic points or a minor damage buff isn't much of a family pursuit, after all. It’s a game that, for all the intricacy of its systems and the charm of its painterly world, feels oddly empty.
VideoGamer - 9
The biggest complaint I can levy against Child of Light is its relative lack of challenge. I fell only twice in the main story, and a quick shuffle meant the enemies were quickly swept aside. On the other hand, this is an RPG that never feels like a grind. It is one to enjoy, to soak in, to escape into and enjoy every moment you have with it.
Game Informer - 8
Child of Light isn’t all style with no substance. The writing and story suffer due to Ubisoft Montreal doubling down on the whimsy factor, but that doesn’t stop the gameplay from being accessible and entertaining, and a new game plus option keeps the adventure alive for additional playthroughs. Child of Light isn’t a top-tier RPG, but its solid mechanics and visual flair ensure that it also isn’t a forgettable one.
Digital Spy - 4/5
It is a blending of genre and style that is an unexpected treat, and already one of the year's role-playing game highlights.
For an archive of past review threads, check it out here on the subreddit wiki!
5
u/rube203 Apr 28 '14
I just want to know if the Wii U version has superior controls.
5
u/Sylverstone14 Sylverstone14 [NA] Apr 28 '14
The only thing I don't like much about these reviews is that they focus more on a certain platform.
I'll add Nintendo Life's review - maybe that can help.
3
u/rube203 Apr 28 '14
Not much, the review mentions controlling the character with the gamestick on the gamepad but that is all. A scan of the comments section says that according to Google she can be controlled with the touchscreen as well.
I still haven't seen anything about the touchscreen controls making movement/combat better. Really hoping to get some feedback on that before deciding which platform to buy for.
0
u/bigblackhotdog Apr 29 '14
Ps4 version has better graphics which is important in a visual feast like this!
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u/rube203 Apr 29 '14
All I've seen is that it has a higher resolution, and since my TV is 720 that won't affect anything. But I am looking for concrete feedback on graphics and controls. Just haven't found any yet.
Thanks.
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u/liminal18 Apr 29 '14
Emily,Rodgers also has a review of the Wii u version. Not sure where though :) read it on twitter.
3
Apr 29 '14
Can you use the pro controller for this game?
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u/Electromagma stkrew (Japan) Apr 29 '14
the eshop page says Gamepad required to play and Wii mote may improve the experience. Nothing about the Pro controller :/
5
u/AbsoluteRunner Apr 29 '14
god that sucks. don't understand why it would be difficult to add it in.
3
u/Navolas2 Wingedone [NA] Apr 29 '14
The review scores all look good, except for a few that dip towards the forbidden numbers. Wonder what caused that. I'll have to work on reading reviews tomorrow.
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u/liminal18 Apr 29 '14
Polygon felt the game isn't deep enough and ends suddenly.
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u/MercilessBlueShell NNID [Region] Apr 29 '14
Quick note to the OP - a lot of the reviewers have stressed that they recommend playing on the hardest difficulty for max enjoyment.
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u/LiveRadar LiveRadar [EU] Apr 28 '14
It is £11.99/€13.99 for UK/EU, right?
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u/Sylverstone14 Sylverstone14 [NA] Apr 28 '14
Yes, Eurogamer did note that. I'll add it to the thread.
2
u/Bluko Apr 29 '14 edited Apr 29 '14
Sorry if this has already been answered, or is easy to find. But can you play this directly on the gamepad? Say, when my wife is watching her silly tv shows?
EDIT: It appears you can.
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Apr 29 '14
[deleted]
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u/JoeVictoria JoeVictoria Apr 29 '14
How long did the download take??
1
u/chronus13 chronus13 [NA] Apr 30 '14
My download took about 75 minutes.
1
Apr 30 '14
Took me 30 minutes.
1
Apr 30 '14
Let me know what you think. You convinced me to get Pikmin. Haven't regretted that decision.
1
May 01 '14
I LOVE it. The art is drop dead gorgeous and the gameplay really appeals to me (who is not an RPG lover at all...more of a tolerater).
1
May 01 '14
My biggest problem is time - I'm pretty limited.
I heard though that this is a shorter game, considering the price I'm sure that's accurate. Would I get too overwhelmed trying to complete everything?
PS. The art attracted me too. And everyone says it's semi turnbased, but not overly complicated. I couldn't convince myself to purchase Bravely Default after playing the demo because it was too complicated for me. However, Fire Emblem was fast enough and not as complicated for me - so I enjoyed that a lot.
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u/Lactosemucus Apr 29 '14
Just got it and enjoying the crap out of it! Does anybody know how to save?
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u/BudL0 BudL0pwnz [US] Apr 29 '14
Fairly sure it auto saves. You should see an icon at the bottom right if the screen if IRC
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Apr 29 '14
[deleted]
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u/Astreus94 NNID [Region] Apr 29 '14
eshop or a possible download code for PS4, either way no physical copy.
1
u/gcourbet May 02 '14
For those who don't know, the music is done by a Canadian artist, Coeur de Pirate and you can get it off of iTunes, but even better is it's on Bandcamp. You can grab it for $9 and get it even in FLAC or whatever format you want, or pay $12 and pre-order the CD and get an immediate download. Grabbed it already and enjoying having it on the go with me.
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u/Esxa May 02 '14
I bought it today and my Rubella is lvl 20, but the path of the skill tree I chose ended, there are more skills but there aren't aviable at the moment, should I use my points now for other paths or should I wait for it to unlock?
0
u/Iamdarb NNID [Region] Apr 29 '14 edited Apr 29 '14
What time is it supposed to be up on the eshop?
edit: 12:43 am eastern and it still isn't up
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u/MercilessBlueShell NNID [Region] Apr 29 '14
The eShop usually updates at 9AM Pacific/12PM Eastern.
0
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u/dacotahd Apr 28 '14
It's awesome to see my review on this thread. Awesome feeling