The Witcher is a popular fantasy series that originated from a collection of short stories and novels written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The story centers around Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter known as a Witcher. Witchers are humans who have undergone extensive training and mutations to develop supernatural abilities, making them skilled monster slayers. The Witcher series gained worldwide recognition with the release of the critically acclaimed video game adaptation, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, developed by CD Projekt Red. The game was praised for its immersive open-world environment, complex storytelling, and rich characters. It received numerous Game of the Year awards and has since become one of the best-selling video games of all time.
Over the course of three and a half hours, you’ll encounter yokai, Japanese urban legends, and nefarious characters who want to trap Ash in this realm forever. I adored coming across the different citizens of this world, even the infamous Kuchisake-onna . Most of these spirits are just curious about how a human ended up among the spirits and will either help you out in your journey or at least make you chuckle. Others are bone-chilling and will have you wanting to get the hell away from them. There aren’t any actual threats to Ash during your playtime, other than one specific encounter. These characters just give you the creeps.
One night after Tena leaves their apartment, a ghost named Tanto enters the home and steals Ash s only memento from her mother; a pendant that seems innocuous at first. A STORY OF THE HUMAN DESCENT INTO DARKNESS From the creative minds behind the critically acclaimed Layers of Fear, experience first-hand the toll that fear can take on the mind in an original story inspired by the cinematic lore of Blair Witch.
It received numerous Game of the Year awards and has since become one of the best-selling video games of all time. In 2019, Netflix released a highly anticipated television adaptation of The Witcher, starring Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia. The series follows the adventures of Geralt as he navigates a politically unstable world filled with monsters, magic, and complex moral dilemmas.
Ashina: The Red Witch | Xbox Review
Point-and-click adventure games aren’t usually my cup of tea. I’ve never really been able to click with the genre, much to my chagrin. Stranga Games may have made me a convert, though. Ashina: The Red Witch is a charming, albeit emotional, experience with nods to Studio Ghibli and Japanese culture. I fell head over heels for this game, and I won’t forget my time with it any time soon.
Spirited Away to Another World
You play as the titular character (who goes by “Ash”) as she struggles to adjust to the passing of her mother. Ash looks after her younger sister Tena, who has a devil-may-care attitude towards life. One night after Tena leaves their apartment, a ghost named Tanto enters the home and steals Ash’s only memento from her mother; a pendant that seems innocuous at first. Ash chases after Tanto, only to end up in a spirit realm that isn’t too kind to humans. She only has a few hours to retrieve her pendant before she’s stuck forever in this alternate world.
Over the course of three and a half hours, you’ll encounter yokai, Japanese urban legends, and nefarious characters who want to trap Ash in this realm forever. I adored coming across the different citizens of this world, even the infamous Kuchisake-onna . Most of these spirits are just curious about how a human ended up among the spirits and will either help you out in your journey or at least make you chuckle. Others are bone-chilling and will have you wanting to get the hell away from them. There aren’t any actual threats to Ash during your playtime, other than one specific encounter. These characters just give you the creeps.
Restoring Peace in the Realm
The central gameplay mechanics of Ashina: The Red Witch are simple. You explore the environment and find objects hidden around the world. You’ll inevitably encounter a spirit or creature that needs a certain item, but it’s never difficult to find these. One feature that I adored is the fact that the game automatically combines objects in your inventory, removing any frustration that can be common in this genre. If you usually enjoy the aspect of figuring out what needs to be meshed together, Ashina will probably be too easy for you. It was like manna from heaven for me, though.
Other puzzles, such as figuring out how to make a bridge appear or trying to decipher a poem’s meaning, are forgiving and won’t stress you out too much. I appreciated the fact that the exceptional story is the main focus, and not pulling my hair out trying to find solutions only enhanced the experience for me. The only gripe I had gameplay-wise was the fact that invisible walls seemed to be in place in some of the paths that I clearly needed to take. I would have to maneuver Ash into a specific position just to be able to progress, which was a tad frustrating.
I’d be remiss not to quickly mention the gorgeous visuals and excellent score. The pixel graphics add an extra layer of charm to the Ghibli-esque characters and world, while each track perfectly accompanies each area and scenario that you encounter. It’s evident that there was a lot of love poured into Ashina: The Red Witch , and it’s all the better for it.
The Final Verdict
Ashina: The Red Witch is a charming, emotional, and sometimes creepy experience. Ash’s journey to find her mother’s pendant takes unexpected turns, and the simple yet satisfying gameplay only enhances the story further. The graphics and score are perfect for this experience, and the game doesn’t overstay its welcome with its shorter length. It will have you itching to play the prequel and sequel to this title if you haven’t already, though. I know I’ll be diving into them to further explore Stranga Games’ unique vision.
To hear me talk more about Ashina: The Red Witch, be sure to listen to the August 23, 2022 episode of The Gaming Outsider podcast around the 1:26:11 time stamp.
This review is based on an Xbox copy of Ashina: The Red Witch provided by PR Hound for coverage purposes. It is also available on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and Itch.io.
Point-and-click adventure games aren’t usually my cup of tea. I’ve never really been able to click with the genre, much to my chagrin. Stranga Games may have made me a convert, though. Ashina: The Red Witch is a charming, albeit emotional, experience with nods to Studio Ghibli and Japanese culture. I fell head over heels for this game, and I won’t forget my time with it any time soon.
The show was hailed for its impressive production value, captivating storytelling, and strong performances. The success of The Witcher franchise has sparked a renewed interest in fantasy literature and gaming. Fans eagerly anticipate the release of the next installment in the video game series, as well as future seasons of the Netflix show. The Witcher has become a cultural phenomenon, captivating audiences with its compelling characters, intricate world-building, and gritty, mature storytelling. In conclusion, The Witcher is a beloved fantasy series that has captivated audiences through its written works, video game adaptations, and Netflix television show. Its rich lore, complex characters, and immersive world have made it a cultural phenomenon and a pillar of the fantasy genre..
Reviews for "Witch Xbox One: The Ultimate Gaming Machine for Hardcore Gamers"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with Witch xboj one. The gameplay was repetitive and the story was predictable. The graphics also looked outdated and the controls were clunky. I was hoping for a more immersive and exciting experience, but it fell short of my expectations. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this game to others.
2. Mike - 1/5 - Witch xboj one was a complete waste of time and money. The game lacked any depth or originality. The combat system was incredibly boring, and the quests felt like mindless chores. Additionally, the character development was weak, and I found it difficult to connect with any of the in-game characters. Save your money and skip this game.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I wanted to like Witch xboj one, but it just didn't click for me. The dialogue was cringe-worthy, and the voice acting was subpar. The world felt empty and uninteresting, with little to explore or discover. The game also suffered from numerous technical issues, including frequent crashes and glitches. Unfortunately, I can't recommend this game to anyone, as it was a disappointment on multiple levels.
4. Jason - 3/5 - Witch xboj one was an average experience for me. The game had its moments, with some interesting side quests and a decent storyline. However, the combat mechanics were clunky and the skill progression system felt unbalanced. The visuals were decent, but nothing groundbreaking. While I didn't hate the game, I don't think it's worth the price tag either.
5. Ashley - 2/5 - I found Witch xboj one to be underwhelming. The vast open world seemed empty and lacked depth, and the main storyline felt cliché and predictable. The character customization options were limited, and the dialogue choices didn't seem to have any real impact on the game. Overall, I felt like I was playing a generic RPG that didn't bring anything new or exciting to the table. I wouldn't recommend this game to fans of the genre.