Trials of Kokoro Reviews

Trials of Kokoro ToK is a unique game that blends visual novel and turn based combat well. It has awesome characters and writing. The combat is smooth and explained well. I enjoy the strategy behind the fights as well. If you mess up the game is unforgiving, but if you plan right you will be victorious! The message behind the story is a good one and one I think people should read and learn from. Overall a very solid game and worth playing and supporting the dev! For game play check out the vid here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9UYfvlm-aA&t=14s

TL:DR This is a real hidden gem of a game, absolutely deserves more attention for the excellent design, story and love poured into it. Even if you don't like visual novels you may like this one. This game...it must have come from a very talented, passionate and I daresay a warm hearted soul. Though its impossible to judge someone's character based solely on a game there is definitely a special type of gratitude that must exist in the mind of someone to pen a story that attempts to flesh out its characters the way this game does. Typically in doing a review I would focus on the mechanics that make the game but because the story and what I would call the design philosophy of the game is what gives it its heart, the best way to sing its praises is to touch on these things. Its worth mentioning here that kokoro means heart in japanese and that is part of what drew me to this game to see if it could deliver on such potentially cliche or corny premise, I must say it did for me and then some - it surpassed my expectations which is saying a lot. I've played my fair share of games but visual novels usually turn me off. The story like any good book is engaging to the point of not wanting to put it down, I was fully immersed in what would happen next while also being hooked by the combat and rpg build crafting. It appears simple on the surface but there is a attention to detail that rings throughout including the design of skills and how they interact with each other that give a far deeper experience than might come through on first glance combined with the various choices on build, itemization and combat approach make for one of the best and yet most accessible strategic rpgs I've played. The are several difficulties to suit your level of challenge or if you are just there for the story ,which is worth it, but I love well designed challenge and this game's battle system will give it to you. I started a second playthrough 70% into the game just to revisit previous choices, I hate replaying most games and can barely be bothered to finish the majority but this was awesome. I couldn't quite place my finger on it but I realized the combat felt different than normal the dev revealed the game isnt really based on rng, the opponents are programmed to respond to your moves with a great deal of variation in each enemy and combat setup. Apart from the very first section most of the enemies aren't recycled either, they are often treated as one-off unique characters with their own entry and backstory in the bestiary even the unnamed ones and apart from possibly the very first area (and thats still debatable) re-skins arent really a thing. That's a mad level of dedication that only shows the level of care that was put into this game. Normally, saying this would by hyperbolic but this game isnt just a game - its a piece of art and love letter from the dev. No story is truly original but this game has unique elements, but mostly just brings together different elements that you *may* have seen elsewhere and executes them very well. I could continue to gush about how I came for the combat (loved it) but stayed for the story but, ultimately, its best to encourage you to experience it all for yourself. There are things I could quibble about if I really tried or was in a particularly bad mood but I'm not! :D I've never done this before but I give this game a 10/10. Moving on to play the devs first game on steam eagerly waiting a sequel or the dev's next entry. Well done!