Developer: Inti Creates Publisher: Inti Creates Release: 11/15/24 Genre: Action
Also on: Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
One of my favorite parts of the indie game movement is the continuation of gameplay styles that have fallen out of favor with the mainstream. Metroidvania has been undergoing a renaissance for close to a decade now to say nothing of old school side scrolling platformers. Top down action RPGs have not had that much of a spotlight but they are starting to crop up more and more. Divine Dynamo Flamefrit is not quite that game but is similar. There is a solid foundation here; the game simply needs more of it.
Divine Dynamo Flamefrit started out as an April Fool’s Joke earlier in the year. This is nothing new; almost every year the Japanese game industry cobbles together a series of joke titles, sometimes they are cool concepts and other times small demos. While many are just that, jokes, many are actual concepts to test the waters to see the reaction such as Fighting EX Layer. Divine Dynamo Flamefrit is a fictional game in Inti Creates other title Card-en-Ciel blown out to a “full game”. I put full game in quotes because this is a brief affair. But at least the price reflects that.
The story in Divine Dynamo Flamefrit has a Saturday morning anime vibe. Specifically Mashin Hero Wataru which we know as Keith Courage. Long ago the Archfiend was sealed away bringing peace to the world of Hologard. But now unknown forces are trying to reawaken the Archfiend. The fire spirit Flamefrit summons Yuto to Hologard to become one of four Dynamo Knights destined to save the world. The script is not at all serious and the game frequently breaks the fourth wall. It is genuinely funny at times and they absolutely nail the tone they were going for. This is what makes the game go enjoyable while it lasts.
From its gameplay to its aesthetic Divine Dynamo Flamefrit is targeted toward fans of Zelda. The game blends Zelda-like dungeon exploration with a few unique twists such as summoning abilities and elemental attacks. Mechanically the game is simple. Yuto has a three-hit sword combo and a wide swinging charge attack. For defense you have an invincible dodge roll but there is a brief recharge period to encourage strategic use. As you find your companions you can expend a small amount of mana to summon them for a powerful attack.
Although the game has the look of Zelda and Alundra it lacks the depth of those titles. There is no inventory or experience system. In fact there are no dungeon maps either. For the most part the dungeons are large enough to feel sprawling without presenting any danger of being lost. There are no puzzles either. These are straightforward action dungeons; if you are cool with that the game excels to a degree but is constrained by its budget. There are only three dungeons in the game and less than ten enemy types. They do a lot with a little but unfortunately right when the game gets going it is over.
The one aspect of the Divine Dynamo Flamefrit that has depth is the first person boss battles. These are very similar to the Goemon Impact battles from that series and are just enjoyable. As you block, slash and counterattack the game almost has a rhythm akin to Punchout. The bosses have a lot of attacks and varied patterns. There are obvious tells but they will also try to psych you out. In my opinion this is possibly the best part of the game. The only problem is these encounters can drag on a little long which is a cheap way to raise their challenge.
As I have alluded to the biggest downside is the game’s brevity. The content that is here is good. The script is enjoyable; the game is self-aware and incredibly witty. The boss battles are fun and the dungeon design is decent. But the fact that this is a shallow experience shows in all of the areas that it suffers. Completing the game takes around two hours and the polished presentation and potential the game had will leave you wanting more.
Inti Creates have always grace their titles with beautiful art and Divine Dynamo Flamefrit is no exception. The pixel-art style evokes nostalgia, with comparisons to classics like Alundra and Terranigma. The PS1-era visuals are charming despite some repetitive assets. The game also features surprisingly competent voice acting and decent music. Again, the game is practically begging for a full blown sequel that expands on every category, especially its stellar presentation.
In Closing
Overall, Divine Dynamo Flamefrit a fun but fleeting experience, ideal for fans of retro-inspired adventures who will not mind a shorter, lighter game. If you are looking for a casual diversion rather than a deep or lengthy experience it might be worth trying. But if you want something longer that scratches the same itch as a Link to the Past you might want to look elsewhere. You can’t fault the game for being exactly what it is. I had a blast playing this one but cannot help feeling a tinge of disappointment that it is not more substantial.
