The Legend of Dark Witch 3DX is a popular side-scrolling action game developed by Inside System. It is the third installment in The Legend of Dark Witch series and was released for the Nintendo 3DS console. In the game, players take on the role of the dark witch Zizou Olympia and embark on a journey to collect magical crystals. These crystals are scattered across various levels, and defeating powerful enemies and bosses is necessary to obtain them. The gameplay consists of fast-paced platforming and action sequences. Zizou can use her magical abilities to attack enemies and navigate through obstacles.
The Legend of Dark Witch’s aesthetic may draw you in, but it’s the gameplay that it intends to hook you with. Most levels follow a fairly similar structure, starting first with an odd transitional zone where the background is sparse and enemies are drawn from the same basic pool. These areas are rarely ever challenging, but they are important though, primarily because it lets you start building up your meter before you get into the level proper. The Legend of Dark Witch is a run and gun platformer, but you start off every level slow and weak. Every enemy you shoot will give you some Tres power to fill up a bar, and depending how much energy is in that bar, you can install a certain type of upgrade. Zizou’s bar is consistent across levels, divided into segments for Speed, Wing, Line, Comet, and Power, and while there is a second character you can unlock, their bar also shares the emphasis on choosing whether or not mobility or strength is the more important focus for your upgrades. Most spots on this upgrade bar can be installed more than once, with the boost they provide greater and greater on each install and the player able to unlock the ability to install them even more if they find hidden Syega in the levels. Speed, despite being the most boring install, is quite essential, as you start off moving much too slow and boss battles will often ask you to be able to move around quickly to avoid damage. Wing is a unique upgrade that lets your slow your fall for more precise jumping, but it doesn’t feel quite as necessary as Speed and it is again a distraction from making your shots more effective. Line and Comet are Zizou’s two shot types, Line focusing on a single forward shot that can be upgraded to fire more shots in a fan-like spread and Comet launching a small projectile that can be upgrade to have more blasts shoot out and converge at a point. The secret character has a similar choice between two shot types, but both seem to start off with the favored, more effective shot and the other almost seems to be a punishment for sloppy installing. Comet isn’t bad, but Line is easier to use and benefits more from being powered up, and if you choose to switch between Comet or Line at any time, you lose all the power you’ve put into one and have to start from scratch with the other. During a boss fight this can be annoying if it happens by accident, especially with the secret character’s incredibly gimmicky second shot type. It’s just a matter of hoping you can switch back to the other shot before you are killed, because while dying does clear all your installs, it will leave your shot type on whatever it was last. Thankfully, most bosses can be handled with just a single speed upgrade and some smart movement in the worst case scenario.
After your payment has been processed, the content will be downloaded to the applicable system linked to the respective Nintendo Account, or respective Nintendo Network ID in the case of Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family systems. There is no denying the Blue Bomber s influence on this game, however the inclusion of mechanics from a side scrolling shooter make this action platformer unique.
Zizou can use her magical abilities to attack enemies and navigate through obstacles. As the game progresses, players can unlock new abilities and upgrades for Zizou, allowing for more strategic and powerful gameplay. The Legend of Dark Witch 3DX features multiple difficulty levels, allowing players of different skill levels to enjoy the game.
The legend of dark witch 3dx
You’ve got your shmup mechanics in my action platformer!
Games inspired by 8-bit classics are becoming increasingly abundant. While Legend of Dark Witch falls into that category, its mechanics make the retro experience feel fresh.
Magic Crystals known as Syega have been stolen. Without the Syega, people have lost their ability to use magic which has become essential to their survival. It is up to Zizou Olympia, the Dark Witch to find the the Syega and save the people from their suffering.
At first glance, The Legend of Dark Witch looks like just another Mega-Man clone. From the start, players can choose from six levels, each with their own elemental theme and boss, and after defeating each boss Zizou gains the boss’ power. There is no denying the Blue Bomber’s influence on this game, however the inclusion of mechanics from a side scrolling shooter make this action platformer unique.
At the bottom of the screen there is a power-up bar. After defeating enemies, Zizou acquires dark colored butterfly like items known as Tres which fill the power-up bar. This will power up Zizou’s speed, give her the ability to float for limited time in the air, and power up her projectiles by increasing the strength and speed of the projectiles. The power-up system feels like it was taken straight from the shoot’em-up Gradius. This mechanic is an added incentive for players to be cautious about damage intake to avoid losing power-ups. and bosses become much more difficult if you lose the power-ups you have acquired.
Tres also work as currency in which players can use to increase their total amount of lives, damage, tres intake and abilities. Each level also contains two hidden Pura Syega Crystals which improve the in-game power-ups. These crystals are difficult to find but the reward is worth replaying levels to find Pura Syega.
The Legend of Dark Witch lives up to its action platformer roots. The platforming is solid and the level design provides an entertaining challenge. Each level has unique mechanics that keep things interesting.
The only issue I had with The Legend of Dark Witch was the game’s difficulty progression. It actually feels like it is most difficult in the beginning and becomes easier as the game goes on. Players start the game with four hearts and three lives. After the first couple of levels, players can increase their damage and lives, thus making the game significantly easier to manage. However, it’s possible to adjust difficulty on the fly between three different difficulty levels making the game if desired.
The Legend of the Dark Witch is a great choice for fans of classic action platformer games. As a fan of the Mega Man series, I found The Legend of the Dark Witch to be a suitable tribute that not only accomplishes the difficult task of living up to the high standards of the game’s muse but also succeeds in iterating on that classic formula in a unique way. The inconsistent difficulty curve could turn some players away, but the overall experience is worth pressing through.
Summary
Pros
- Crossing shooter mechanics with action platforming mechanics works well
- Great level Design
- Hidden items and character leveling mechanics add replay value to levels
Magic Crystals known as Syega have been stolen. Without the Syega, people have lost their ability to use magic which has become essential to their survival. It is up to Zizou Olympia, the Dark Witch to find the the Syega and save the people from their suffering.
Additionally, there are various modes and challenges to keep players engaged and provide replay value. One notable feature of the game is its vibrant and colorful art style. The levels are beautifully designed, and the character animations are well-crafted. The game's soundtrack also complements the gameplay and helps create an immersive experience. Overall, The Legend of Dark Witch 3DX is a captivating and challenging action game. With its engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and memorable characters, it has gained a dedicated fan base. Whether you are a fan of side-scrolling action games or looking for a new gaming experience, this game is worth checking out..
Reviews for "The Legend of Dark Witch 3DX: A Hidden Gem on the Nintendo Switch"
- John - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with The Legend of Dark Witch 3DX. The gameplay felt repetitive and the controls were clunky. The graphics were nothing special and the storyline was forgettable. Overall, I found it to be a boring and generic game that didn't live up to the hype.
- Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for The Legend of Dark Witch 3DX but ultimately, it fell flat for me. The level design was uninspired and there was a lack of variety in the enemies and environments. The boss fights were underwhelming and didn't provide a significant challenge. I found myself getting bored quickly and not feeling motivated to continue playing.
- Alex - 2/5 stars - As a fan of the previous games in the series, I was let down by The Legend of Dark Witch 3DX. The difficulty curve felt unbalanced, with some levels being too easy and others being frustratingly difficult. The power-ups and abilities were lackluster, and the overall progression felt uninspired. It didn't bring anything new or exciting to the table and ultimately felt like a cash grab rather than a true sequel.
- Emily - 3/5 stars - The Legend of Dark Witch 3DX had its moments, but it wasn't as enjoyable as I had hoped. The gameplay mechanics were solid, but there was a lack of innovation and originality. The levels felt repetitive and the soundtrack became annoying after a while. Overall, it was an average experience that didn't leave a lasting impression.