Babylon’s Fall – Review

With the release of Babylon’s Fall, Square Enix hopes to capitalise on the games as a service model once more after failing with Marvel’s Avengers. They’re calling on the resources and expertise of Platinum Games this time around, though. As with Marvel’s Avengers, there are obvious benefits to bringing the studios’ iconic, fast-paced combat into a live service model, but those benefits don’t always materialise for the players themselves.

Pros:
Fast, flashy combat
Interesting premise
Slow burn, but gets good in a couple hours
Varied classes and enemies

Cons:
Looks dated
Bot for everyone

Score – 7/10

Let’s start with the positive aspects of Babylon’s Fall before moving on to the less desirable aspects. It’s a fantastic tale, bordering on the unbelievable. It’s full of surprises that you don’t expect. A regular RPG could easily use this storey as its main plot without the games as a service tacked on. It’s dark and impactful. As a war prisoner, the player assumes the role of a Sentinel. That which is not killed by this parasitic-like device is bestowed with great powers.

The Ziggurat, the Tower of Babylon, is where Sentinels are sent to search for treasures and relics from the past. One of Platinum Games’ best stories is brought to life in a more serious narrative.

Platinum Games’ real-time combat expertise, honed in previous games like Babylon’s Fall, is present in Babylon’s Fall. To put it simply, expectations are high when it comes to delivering a memorable combat experience from a studio with titles like NieR: Automata and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance to its name. The combat in Babylon’s Fall does live up to expectations.

Four unique weapons can be equipped by each character, or Sentinel, as they are referred to in the game. As long as you have enough Spirit energy, energy gathered from attacking, and unleashing combination attacks on enemies, you can use two spiritual-like weapons that can only be used when you have enough of both weapons. Swords, hammers, bows, rods, and shields are all different. Combination attacks and learning curves vary from one to the next.

It is possible to specialise in a single weapon and unleash a never-ending onslaught of special attacks as you rapidly build up Spirit energy. It’s also possible to switch things up. Attack your foes close-up with powerful Hammer attacks before retreating and firing an array of longbow arrows at them from the safety of distance. However, it’s an exciting combat system that will not be for everyone.”

Babylon’s demise is a long journey, but the payoff is worth it in the end. For the first ten to twenty hours, whether you’re playing with a group or going it alone, you’ll simply equip yourself with whatever will boost your stats. However, as you progress through the game’s later stages and eventually the endgame, the amount of customizability offered by each build multiplies dramatically. It’s still a grind like Destiny or The Division, but it’s still enjoyable. Babylon’s Fall is a must-have for those who enjoy a punishing grind, but if you don’t, it’s a tough sell.

The first 15 hours of the game were a struggle for me because I felt like my Sentinel had no distinct personality or sense of purpose among a cast of characters who were otherwise nearly interchangeable. Then, within the same 30-minute timeframe, you gain access to new options, which expands the scope of the battle in entirely unexpected ways. It’s a bit strange. After the initial “wow” of combat wore off, the first part of the game nearly bore me to death, but now I can’t put the controller down. I’m a big fan of the combat at this point, but I’m not so sure about the progression.

Your Sentinel’s Power Level is the driving force of the game. The overall power of your character is represented by the Power Level of each item you find. In games that want to give the impression of progress where progress is absent, it’s a common mechanic, but many players find it appealing. If you’re a fan of grinding for a few extra points in Power Level, Babylon’s Fall is the game for you.

Grindy upgrades and improvements are available for those who have the patience to persevere through an uninspiring start, and those who enjoy taking down bosses should head here.

The boss design is the best of the bunch, even though many of them have similar mechanics. You’ll be dodging projectiles like in a bullet hell and jumping over massive stomping attacks like in an MMO in every battle, solo or with a group. Because it incorporates the best aspects of various types of boss mechanics, it helps to break up the monotony of the game’s otherwise repetitive loop.

It’s safe to say that Babylon’s Fall isn’t for everyone. Following enemies through corridors until the final boss room is a common theme. Aside from the possibility of a new storey being revealed at the end of each mission, it’s a tedious and repetitive experience. Skirmishes and other end-game content, on the other hand, make the game truly shine. While still adhering to a corridor-to-boss format, Skirmishes present far more challenging obstacles, rewards, and combat mechanics, delivering a game worthy of Platinum Games’ previous works. Sieges that are more varied and exciting are unlocked later in the post-game, as well as the ability to switch weapon attack types. However, for some players, the wait may be too long. When it comes to Babylon’s Fall, the game doesn’t begin until the end.

The time I spent with Babylon’s Fall was an unusual one for me personally. This is the first time I’ve hated a game so much before falling in love with it so quickly. Although the experience’s satisfaction-driven nature is worth the effort, it’s not for everyone.