"Magic on Main" is a concept that refers to the idea of bringing a touch of wonder and enchantment to everyday life. It suggests that even in the midst of our busy routines and mundane activities, there is the opportunity to find joy and excitement in unexpected places. The phrase "Magic on Main" often conjures up images of a bustling city street, with its shops, cafes, and vibrant atmosphere. It captures the idea that within these urban environments, there are hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. It could be stumbling upon a charming little bookstore tucked away on a side street, stumbling upon a talented street performer, or happening upon a whimsical piece of street art. However, "Magic on Main" is not limited to city life alone.
However, "Magic on Main" is not limited to city life alone. It can be found in the serene moments spent in nature, where the rustling of leaves and the gentle sound of a bubbling stream can make the ordinary seem extraordinary. It can be experienced in the laughter and joy of spending time with loved ones, or in the simple act of witnessing a beautiful sunset.
Asterigos: Curse of The Stars – Call of The Paragons DLC Review
Last year developer tinyBuild introduced us to their highly ambitious and extraordinarily good Souls-lite action RPG, Asterigos: Curse of The Stars. With an expansive, labyrinthine world, challenging combat, deep lore, a heavy focus on storytelling and a plethora of bosses (some of whom I didn’t even know existed until I took a gander at the games trophy list), Asterigos was one of my favourite games from last year. So when I heard that the game was receiving a DLC expansion, I was more than eager to dive back into the city of Aphes.
Just on the off chance that you may have missed out on Asterigos (Our review of which you can read here: https://invisioncommunity.co.uk/asterigos-curse-of-the-stars-playstation-review/), the game is set in the fictional city of Aphes. You play as Hilda, the young daughter of the Northwind Legions commander, and a Northwind Legion trainee, who goes in search of her father in the mysterious city of Aphes when no word is heard from the Legion after they’d embarked on a mission to the city. Aphes is under a magical curse that has rendered its inhabitants immortal and for 1000 years they’ve stagnated, trapped in the city with no hope of breaking the curse. Until you come along that is.
Call of The Paragons DLC takes place within the game’s main campaign, with you able to access the content just before you head into the game’s finale. You can access the DLC through the game’s new game plus mode but for my run, I loaded up the save I had just before starting up the game’s final cinematic.
Call of The Paragons DLC takes you deeper into Aphes lore, by tasking you with defeating or replaying certain memories related to the cities ancient heroes. The DLC packages seven new boss fights in a new setting, a new outfit and a weapon modification system for you to gear up with.
Sadly, what it doesn’t do is add a significant story or quest line for you to undertake. Considering the strength of the main campaign’s story and writing, this feels like a missed opportunity. Sure, there’s a fair amount of lore for you to read through about the Paragons you’re about to face and the myths that helped to shape Aphes, but it’s no substitute for an actual quest line.
Another issue this creates is that it doesn’t highlight the DLC as being active, or what you’re supposed to do in-game to find the boss fights. A series of statues that you pray to with no results during the main campaign now transport you to the boss arenas, something I found out quite by accident. With the statues scattered around Aphes, and assuming you don’t remember where they were, you’re either going to have to consult an online guide or start exploring the game’s areas again to find them.
As for the fights themselves, they’re some of the best boss battles in the game. While the bosses themselves are high-powered, hefty health bar fights similar to the main campaign, tinyBuild has incorporated extra mechanics into the fights that help them stand out significantly. Whether you’re fighting a series of soldiers to take down a malfunctioning Colossus, or engaging in a series of tests that soldiers would undergo, such as avoiding bulls, before fighting a Centurion with those training mechanics at play at the same time, Call of The Paragons does a great job of making each fight distinct and challenging. So much so that I wish these mechanics had been employed in the main campaign proper.
How challenging the fights are will depend on how high your character level is. I took them on at level 49 and fairly breezed through most of them, as I had with the main campaign’s final bosses. So if you’re looking for a challenge, you’ll want to tackle them on the New Game + mode. That said, the final fight, which you can only access after defeating the other bosses, really did test me. It also added some small platforming sections that felt out of place for the game.
Each boss defeated opens up a new weapon mod and skin for your weapons. Apart from making the weapons look really snazzy, they add extra effects, usually higher attack power at the cost of, usually, stamina. And the extra Paragon outfit is one of the game’s best and is available as soon as you purchase the DLC.
Call of The Paragon’s biggest problem though is time. Essentially, unless you’re severely underpowered or braving running through Aphes without the use of a guide, Call of The Paragons can be completed in about an hour to an hour and a half.
With some great boss mechanics, Call of The Paragons extends the Asterigos saga just that little bit longer. However, as much as I enjoyed diving back into Asterigos’s world, I’m not sure, outside of the die-hard fans, whether or not it’s worth the nine-pound price of admission for such a short amount of time. If you happen to fall into that die-hard category, you’ll find some new scenarios to love with a final fight that will test your skills.
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Just on the off chance that you may have missed out on Asterigos (Our review of which you can read here: https://invisioncommunity.co.uk/asterigos-curse-of-the-stars-playstation-review/), the game is set in the fictional city of Aphes. You play as Hilda, the young daughter of the Northwind Legions commander, and a Northwind Legion trainee, who goes in search of her father in the mysterious city of Aphes when no word is heard from the Legion after they’d embarked on a mission to the city. Aphes is under a magical curse that has rendered its inhabitants immortal and for 1000 years they’ve stagnated, trapped in the city with no hope of breaking the curse. Until you come along that is.
The essence of "Magic on Main" lies in our ability to slow down, observe, and appreciate the world around us. It is about finding awe and inspiration in the small details, and allowing ourselves to be transported to a place of childlike wonder. In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, embracing the concept of "Magic on Main" can be a source of comfort and rejuvenation. It reminds us to seek out moments of joy and enchantment, even in the most seemingly ordinary of places. Ultimately, "Magic on Main" is a reminder to live life with open eyes and an open heart. It encourages us to find the extraordinary within the ordinary and to cherish the moments that make life truly magical..
Reviews for "The Magic of Main Street's Theatres: A Guide to Live Performances"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic on Main". The plot was incredibly slow and predictable, and the characters felt one-dimensional. I was hoping for an enchanting and captivating story, but instead, I found myself bored and uninterested. The magical elements were underdeveloped and lacked originality. Overall, it was a lackluster read for me.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Magic on Main" but was ultimately let down. The writing style was choppy and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with the story or the characters. The pacing felt off, as if nothing exciting was happening until the very end. I was hoping for a magical and immersive experience, but unfortunately, I didn't find it in this book. It was a forgettable read for me.
3. Emma - 1 star - "Magic on Main" was a major letdown. The premise seemed interesting, but the execution fell flat. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, and the plot was predictable from the start. The world-building was minimal, leaving me with more questions than answers. I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book and was relieved when I finally reached the end. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written magical story.
4. Mike - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magic on Main", but it turned out to be a disappointment. The characters lacked depth and were difficult to relate to. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story felt dragged out unnecessarily. There were too many subplots that didn't add much to the overall narrative. While the concept of magic was interesting, it wasn't enough to salvage the book for me. I wouldn't recommend it to fans of the genre.