Video Game Review - Batora: Lost Haven

Rob reviews Batora: Lost Haven on Xbox Series X...

Batora: Lost Haven is a top-down action RPG that's been developed by The Label and published by Team17. 

Taking place just after the Earth's destruction by a cosmic force, players take on the role of a seemingly normal human called Avril. Roughly 5 minutes into the game Avril is called upon by a couple of good cosmic entities to become the Guardian of Balance, a powerful being that'll eventually right all the wrongs in the universe - and restore planet Earth. While Batora: Lost Haven seems to be steeped within its story, due to the pace of the gameplay - it becomes a little lost in translation. However, it's still a fun game even if its protagonists are a little annoying.

As hero characters go, Avril is a slightly dumbed-down version of Marvel's Deadpool. She's cocky, often arrogant, and isn't afraid of a little backchat with her best friend - and fellow survivor - Mia. The "banter" between the two can get very tiresome, with both seemingly unaware of the weight that's hanging on their shoulders. What I mean is that they seem blissfully ignorant of what's going on around them. Planet Earth has been destroyed, and they've been saved from death by two entities who then throw them into a war between Gods. Even as Avil is tackling the game's many gargantuan enemies, she's still got time to slap some sass on them. 

While Avril can quickly become unlikeable, the way she's perceived in-game can be influenced too. Across the journey, you'll be greeted with choices that'll shift Avril's morality toward either being a Savior or Destroyer. These states will then shape which direction the game will go in and ultimately which ending you'll receive. What's more interesting is that there's no right or wrong answer. Across the game, I attempted to play as a Savior, which on occasion saw my good intentions have disastrous results. Likewise, a few Destroyer's choices ended up being the more morally correct decisions.

Away from Batora: Lost Haven's narrative and combat play a big part. As the Guardian of Balance, Avril has two combat states that she can utilize - physical and mental. While fighting in the physical stance, Avril utilizes a two-handed sword of flames that deals with slow-moving but powerful attacks. Meanwhile mental attacks counter this by being ranged and quick-paced. The various enemies you fight are also weak to one of these styles, so switching between the two ends up being a must. This also works for the games boss battles, with each boss having both a mental and physical health bar that'll need depleting before you defeat them. 

As you fight in one style, the dormant style starts to accumulate energy. This means that upon switching you'll then be able to utilize a powerful move for a short duration that'll give you either a speed or damage boost. As you progress you'll also start to unlock additional skills that'll make Avril more powerful. While there isn't a particular vast variation of these skills, they do offer some different ways to approach combat. 

Avril is also able to equip various runes that'll also offer various buffs and debuffs. For example, one rune will buff your projectile speed, whilst lowering your overall critical damage chance. Meanwhile, another may give you increased health, but lower your base attack. It's swings and roundabouts, and much like the morality system, there's no right or wrong way. It simply boils down to what you feel comfortable with, and what the current situation demands. 

Batora: Lost Haven also has a few puzzles up its cosmic sleeve. Thankfully none of these puzzles are particularly difficult, with most requiring you to simply flip a switch, or roll a ball. The downside is that these often slow the gameplay down, which then gives Avril and Mia time to talk. 

When it comes to presentation, Batora: Lost Haven is a gorgeous game. The use of light and darkness works incredibly well to paint plenty of truly stunning landscapes. Orange and purple also feature heavily, with the two colors working in tandem to denote Avril's current state. The Xbox Series X also handles the game with extreme ease with Batora: Lost Haven taking full advantage of the console's hardware. It's a solid and fluid experience, that does put some larger triple-A titles to shame. 

All in all, Batora: Lost Haven is a competent action RPG that offers enough combat and puzzles to keep you invested in its supernatural story. While it's the protagonist is a little insufferable, it's more than made up for with its core gameplay, and incredible visuals.

If you're looking for something "different" then Batora: Lost Haven is a game I'd highly recommend. 

Rating: 7/10 

A code was kindly provided for this review

Batora: Lost Haven is available now and can be purchased from the Microsoft Store. 

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