Entering a story midway can be disorienting. I recall starting the 2000s reboot of Battlestar Galactica without watching the pilot movie, confused about the characters, their situation, and the conflict.
I experienced a similar feeling with Nephise: Ascension, the third game in the series following Nephise and Nephise Begins. These games initially appeared on PC a few years back, so their arrival on Xbox comes after a considerable gap.
However, I was eager to experience another creation from Tonguç Bodur, so let’s begin.
I’m generally a fan of Tonguç Bodur’s games, though their quality can vary. This particular title offers a mix of walking simulator elements, puzzle-solving, and light platforming.
You play as Nephise, and while prior knowledge of the previous games isn’t strictly necessary, some narrative context might be missing if you’ve never taken those games in. In Nephise: Ascension, we discover that Nephise is an orb hunter who falls down a hole and finds herself in Dragon’s Valley. She then embarks on a journey to escape, traversing a vast lake in a moored boat.
Nephise: Ascension features short cutscenes and narration that provide glimpses into the story. The narrative is intriguing and surreal, prioritising atmosphere over a straightforward plot. And as you would expect of a game from this developer, unusual events and dreamlike sequences unfold, creating a sense of mystery and wonder. While the story might not be for everyone, it piqued my curiosity and made me want to explore the previous games in the series.
The gameplay begins with leisurely exploration, allowing you to soak in the scenery. You’ll encounter pedestals that require you to find and place statues, encouraging exploration of the environments. In addition to walking, you can also run, which is helpful for traversing larger areas.
As you progress, new mechanics are introduced, such as collecting orbs to unlock pathways and navigating dungeon-like levels with interactive mechanisms. A highlight for me was a segment where you ride a lion – a unique and memorable experience.
The game also features platforming challenges, requiring you to navigate treacherous traps and swinging walkways with precise timing. While these elements might not be entirely new, they add welcome variety to the gameplay.
The visuals are particularly impressive in the exterior environments, with rolling meadows, shimmering lakes, and ancient ruins. However, the interiors feel less detailed and somewhat dated. And there’s no getting away from the fact that Nephise’s attire, while aesthetically pleasing, seems impractical for the environments she traverses.
There are also a few minor graphical glitches throughout; nothing that significantly detracts from the experience, but worth a mention. And the soundtrack is relaxing and evocative, whilst the narration is delivered by an older voice actor, which is a refreshing change of pace.
If you’re a fan of previous games from Tonguç Bodur’s, then you should enjoy this departure from the usual style, with its expanded gameplay mechanics and intriguing narrative. The story is bonkers, but the visuals, particularly in the exterior environments, are quite beautiful. While some might find the interiors and character design somewhat dated, and there are occasional glitches, Nephise: Ascension is a worthwhile look, especially for those who enjoy atmospheric exploration.
Nephise: Ascension Takes Flight on Xbox: A Captivating Journey Through Dragon’s Valley – https://www.thexboxhub.com/nephise-ascension-takes-flight-on-xbox-a-captivating-journey-through-dragons-valley/
Nephise: Ascension is on the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/p/9PJSBWCD8MBX/0010
