"Wandering Witch Elaina" is a popular Japanese light novel series written by Jougi Shiraishi and illustrated by Azure. It was first published in April 2016 and has since been adapted into a manga series and an anime television series. The story revolves around the main character, Elaina, who is a witch traveling the world in search of new adventures and experiences. Each episode explores a different country or town that Elaina visits and the unique individuals she encounters along the way. Elaina is a young and talented witch who has a deep love for magic. She obtains her witch's license at a young age and decides to embark on a journey to explore the world.
That goes to the core. While Legacy uses the Unity 3D engine and isn't afraid to use it to both create a world and deploy a few special effects, like volumetric lighting, the action remains turn based and locked tight to a grid rather than allowing freeform movement. For the most part though, this works oddly well. Cities and dungeons are carefully designed, looking good and not feeling too much like shoeboxes. There are however regular reminders of why most games of this style stick to cramped dungeons and locations like forest mazes rather than expansive overworlds, the biggest being that ranged characters often aren't allowed to take a pop at an enemy standing right in front of them because officially they're around a corner.
There are however regular reminders of why most games of this style stick to cramped dungeons and locations like forest mazes rather than expansive overworlds, the biggest being that ranged characters often aren t allowed to take a pop at an enemy standing right in front of them because officially they re around a corner. There are however regular reminders of why most games of this style stick to cramped dungeons and locations like forest mazes rather than expansive overworlds, the biggest being that ranged characters often aren t allowed to take a pop at an enemy standing right in front of them because officially they re around a corner.
She obtains her witch's license at a young age and decides to embark on a journey to explore the world. Along her travels, Elaina faces various challenges and learns valuable lessons about life, magic, and humanity. One of the noteworthy aspects of "Wandering Witch Elaina" is its episodic nature.
Might and Magic X: Legacy review
Retro and proud, understanding why these games were fun even if they are in the past.
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Spiritually, Might and Magic X can be neatly summed up in its first real conversation, when the captain of the first town's guard jokes "Don't worry, I won't send you to go kill rats in a cellar," and then without irony presents a quest called "Spiders In The Well". It's a deliberate and careful throwback to the hack-and-slash RPGs of old, in a style even its own series hasn't done since 1993's Darkside of Xeen - the fifth game, and hardly a cutting edge one even then.
That goes to the core. While Legacy uses the Unity 3D engine and isn't afraid to use it to both create a world and deploy a few special effects, like volumetric lighting, the action remains turn based and locked tight to a grid rather than allowing freeform movement. For the most part though, this works oddly well. Cities and dungeons are carefully designed, looking good and not feeling too much like shoeboxes. There are however regular reminders of why most games of this style stick to cramped dungeons and locations like forest mazes rather than expansive overworlds, the biggest being that ranged characters often aren't allowed to take a pop at an enemy standing right in front of them because officially they're around a corner.
Despite nominally being the tenth game in the series, it's easy to get into the action. No knowledge of the series is required, and despite an intro so astoundingly long and overwritten that it's a wonder that the party doesn't emerge blinking in Might and Magic XI, the story is kept firmly in the background. You're a team of rookie adventurers taking the ashes of your mentor to a locked down city in the middle of a ludicrously dangerous peninsula, in the wake of political reforms that everyone spends far too much time arguing about instead of dealing with all the monsters everywhere. A smarter party might 'accidentally' trip while holding his sodding urn on a windy cliff and go home. But no. Not Heroic enough, apparently.
While even getting close to that town is a slow business, Legacy's actual action is surprisingly pacey. The four-man party primarily levels horizontally, with lots of skills, but plenty of points to spread between them. This quickly allows for a flexible team where a Ranger can be both archer and healer, or a Freemage take up various magical schools without becoming a master of none, with melee characters getting their own 'spells' revolving around skills like taunting and diverting blows. Combat still isn't usually too tactical outside of bosses, where bad luck can also screw the party over in a hurry, but Legacy makes carving through armies feel very satisfying. Luckily too, because while the killing is occasionally interrupted by a trivial puzzle or conversation popping its head into the action, this is firmly a game of 20% exploration, 70% combat, and everything else fighting over the scraps.
What gives Legacy its old school charm though is that as much as it's weighed down by an obviously low budget and the mechanical sacrifices of jumping back a decade, there's a love for its style underpinning the action. The result isn't likely to do much for anyone raised on a diet of The Elder Scrolls, and even at its best is a nostalgia trip rather than call for revolution. Even so, for old-school RPG fans as sad as its creators seem to be that nobody makes games like this any more, it's a solid way to relive the good old days.
Details:
Expect to pay: £20
Release: Out now
Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Multiplayer: No
What gives Legacy its old school charm though is that as much as it's weighed down by an obviously low budget and the mechanical sacrifices of jumping back a decade, there's a love for its style underpinning the action. The result isn't likely to do much for anyone raised on a diet of The Elder Scrolls, and even at its best is a nostalgia trip rather than call for revolution. Even so, for old-school RPG fans as sad as its creators seem to be that nobody makes games like this any more, it's a solid way to relive the good old days.
Each episode has a self-contained story, allowing viewers to dive into different settings and meet new characters in every installment. This format adds a sense of excitement and unpredictability to the overall narrative. The anime adaptation of "Wandering Witch Elaina" premiered in October 2020 and received widespread acclaim for its beautiful animation, compelling storytelling, and complex characters. It deals with themes of self-discovery, morality, and the consequences of one's actions. Overall, "Wandering Witch Elaina" offers a captivating and enchanting journey through a fantastical world. It explores the emotional growth of its protagonist and the impact she has on the individuals she encounters. Whether it's the vibrant animation or the thought-provoking narratives, this series is a must-watch for fans of fantasy, adventure, and magic..
Reviews for "The Popularity of Wandering Witch Elaina: What Makes It Stand Out?"
1. Mary Jane - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Wandering Witch Elaina" but I was sorely disappointed. The plot was disjointed and lacked coherence. The main character, Elaina, was not as interesting or likable as I had hoped, and I found myself losing interest in her journey. Additionally, the animation was average at best, and the overall execution felt lackluster. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this anime unless you're a die-hard fan of the genre.
2. John Doe - 1/5 stars - "Wandering Witch Elaina" was an absolute mess. The storytelling was confusing and chaotic, and it felt like the writers didn't know where they were going. The characters were shallow and underdeveloped, making it difficult to feel any connection or empathy towards them. The animation was average, and the pacing was all over the place. It's a shame because the concept had potential, but it fell flat on its face. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.
3. Sarah Smith - 3/5 stars - I had mixed feelings about "Wandering Witch Elaina". On one hand, the animation was beautiful, and the world-building was intriguing. However, the storyline lacked depth and failed to engage me on a deeper level. I found myself becoming bored and disinterested in the main character's journey as it felt repetitive and predictable. While it had its moments, overall, it fell short of my expectations. If you're looking for a light and visually appealing anime, this might be worth a watch, but don't expect to be blown away.
4. Robert Johnson - 2.5/5 stars - "Wandering Witch Elaina" had its moments, but overall, it left me feeling unsatisfied. The episodic format made it difficult for the plot to gain momentum, and the lack of character development hindered my investment in the story. The animation was decent, but there were instances where it felt rushed and sloppy. While it had its strengths, it ultimately failed to leave a lasting impression. It's worth a watch if you have some spare time, but don't expect it to be a standout in the genre.