OVERALL IMPRESSION:
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights is a strikingly beautiful gothic fantasy 2D action RPG in the metroidvania and souls-like genre. As Lily, you have the ability to cleanse and summon spirits to protect and fight on your behalf. This is a fun, challenging and somber journey through Land’s end. The core gameplay of exploration and combat is well executed and intertwined with the overall narrative and art direction.
GAMEPLAY:
There’s a lot to enjoy here in Ender Lilies. The core of these types of games has always been the exploration and combat and it’s no different here. A good amount of this journey is figuring out where to go and discovering secrets along the way. The map also helps in this aspect by marking areas that offer alternate routes. There’s just enough guidance here to allow for player agency without taking away the joy of allowing you to figure out what to do. Like all good metroidvania’s this game doesn’t hold your hand. Instead you are left to experiment.
The core gameplay revolves around spirits that you cleanse and then can summon and use. This system allows you to gain new abilities as you come across them in the world. As you do so, these new skills will allow you to traverse into new areas making the gameplay loop fulfilling and rewarding. You are also free to customize your skills with 2 sets of skill bars. This allows the player the ability to customize their playstyle and it is one of the best features of the game. Allowing player agency and creativity goes a long way to pulling you into this world and giving you the ability to express how you want to play the game. I love when games do this.
There’s a good range of abilities from melee, ranged and magic skills. This lets you adjust to the type of enemies or bosses that give you the most difficulty. There is also the ability to power up these skills and create a build. On top of that you have access to basic attacks, a dodge and as you progress a parry. There’s a progression system that allows you to level up your character’s base level and also to enhance your spirit abilities. You will start off with a small kit but as you progress you’ll gain access to a good variety of skills. You’ll also gain abilities that will allow you to backtrack and explore new areas to gain more valuable resources to power up.
Combat encounters here feel challenging, but achievable as you learn each enemies movement and ability set. There are a variety of enemy types and each boss is also created with a specific kit and mechanics. This makes combat interesting and tense throughout your playthrough. Even common mobs can kill you with a few hits if you aren’t careful. Bosses also feel quite challenging at first, but as you learn when to attack and when to dodge you’ll be able to figure out how to defeat them. This game overall does lean more towards a souls-like experience with challenging encounters throughout, but approaching with a more strategic and analytic mindset will enable you to persevere.
ART DESIGN & MUSIC:
By far one of the standout features of this game is the art design and atmosphere created by the visuals and music. This can often be an overlooked feature. However, art captures your attention and draws you in. It’s one of the main reasons certain games generate viral attention. Visual design is also a statement of the quality of the overall work. It’s the foundation to build upon. If the art is inspired and executed well, you know that there’s potential that this carries over to the rest of the game.
The visual design here is beautiful. I love the use of color in the environment. The use of black and white garners a somber tone with gothic vibes while hints and concentration of color add contrast, vibrancy and life. This is some of the most inspired art I’ve come across in a game in a long while. Accompanying the visuals is the haunting musical score. The light drops of rain, atmospheric and vocal notes feel serene, enchanting and contemplative. They set the tone of the world and reflect elements of the story as well as the protagonist’s struggle to overcome adversity. This is a space that is unique and a joy to experience throughout.
STORY:
Much of this game is focused around the exploration and combat, but the narrative also has something to say. You’ll get small snippets of story here and there as you defeat bosses and learn about their backstory. It’s a dramatic and redemptive story. It may not be as grand and epic as more story driven games, but the narrative that it does tell here is well done and carries weight. You feel for the character’s and it gives you insight into the world and why things are designed the way they are. The story, art and combat are all connected and executed to a high level of quality.
CHALLENGES:
Similar to many games in this genre the most challenging aspects are figuring out where to go and how to overcome certain boss encounters. All great metroidvania’s do this. It can be easy to miss an exploration route because you perceived a section to be inaccessible. Even with helpful markers on the map, the sheer size and time to traverse can make certain sections a challenge. This isn’t inherently a problem with the game, but with our own ability as a player to stay vigilant throughout our playthrough to pick up on details.
In like manner, certain boss encounters can also present a challenge. If you aren’t paying attention to the details like the timing, distance and opportunity to attack or dodge, a boss can wipe you out in a few hits. Nevertheless, like all great souls-like games it feels very rewarding when you know you’ve figured out a boss. You know exactly when to attack, how many attacks you can get in and when to get out. You know when to dodge and what distance to keep. This is the mark of a well designed experience. Ender Lilies strikes a good balance between challenge and punishment. It often asks you to keep learning and as you do so you gain the ability to overcome. However, certain sections can be frustrating in learning how to proceed in the map or how to live just a bit longer so you can take out a boss.
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
This is an amazing and beautiful game. The art direction, core gameplay and story are all intertwined and executed well. We need more games out there that present their own voice in visual design while allowing the player to customize their gameplay experience. If you’re a fan of this genre and enjoy a gothic fantasy setting, it’s worth looking into.
GAME DETAILS
PLATFORMS: PC, Consoles
RELEASE: 2021
DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER: Live Wire, Adglobe / Binary Haze Interactive
GENRE/TAGS: Metroidvania, Souls-like, 2D platformer, action RPG
TARGET AUDIENCE: Those that enjoy a challenge. Even though its in the action genre, a more strategic and patient approach to combat is rewarded.
COVER IMAGE CREDIT: Ender Lilies
THANKS:
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