Posted on: December 6, 2023
Orgdan
Games: 416 Reviews: 37
Worthy sequel though isn't perfect
As a huge fan of the first Valfaris I bought this game instantly on release on Steam. I wasn't disappointed because it delivers both what you expect from a shmup and from a thing with Valfaris in its name. Its graphical design fully follows of its predecessor's aesthetic, a very nice retro style gothic and metalic world and enemies. Of course with cool metal soundtrack. Gameplay-wise it's actually good. There is a melee weapon to build up energy from killing enemies, a ranged weapon to use that energy for even more destruction and a new type of weapon group that acts as a special ability (which is quite useful even if it isn't looks like that for first). There are modules that is like equipment in RPGs, gives you passive skills though they don't matter that much as I would love to see them. Another new thing is the boost that replace Valfaris' shield. While boosting you're invincible, avoiding any damage, and when connects with an enemy a very powerful strike occur (while still being invincible for the entire duration of its animation). That's the game pretty much. While it is really, and I mean REALLY fun there is a few annoying elements. I remember reading reviews about how the first Valfaris start being like a rhythm game after a point. I never experienced this however it really start to be like that in Mecha Therion. In the last few areas there will be swarms of fast and fairly tough enemies that also like to fire a lot. Without taking them out fast enough the screen will be filled with hard to avoid random-trajectory projectiles that either drains your boost as you use it leaving you defensless for the remaining enemies or because you have to keep evade normally even more enemies will be allowed to join the party. Another grudge of mine is the NG+. In the first Valfaris you eventually got more HP for True Metal mode to help surviving the stronger enemies, but in Mecha Therion NG+ reduce the HP for a single one. This takes a bit of fun away alone.
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