The 9th Dawn franchise started over eight years ago. Developed by Valorware, the first installment was catered for mobile gaming. After iOS and Android players raved about the CRPG, the 2D world has shifted to platforms of Steam, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and the Nintendo Switch. Released during the month of October, 9th Dawn III: Shadow of Erthil is the latest dungeon crawler to hit the stores.
Plot
9th Dawn III: Shadow of Erthil follows the traditional path that most kingdom RPGs carry out. Traveling through the lands of Cedaltia, word spreads of an unruly king that sits on the throne. Playing as a customizable main character, it is your task to journey through forests, dungeons, swamps and more to complete the prophecy. For spoiler’s sake, I do not want to reveal the nature of this prophecy, but the plot itself plays a secondary role compared to the actual adventure.
Side quests are also a large component of the plot. 9th Dawn III does a great job on expanding the game with all the journeys offered by NPCs. With new characters constantly coming in and out, the variety of tasks are phenomenal, and players can easily get lost exploring the land.
Gameplay
Gameplay is the bread and butter of this title. Because the plot works much like other games of this genre, gameplay is what really stuck out to me. Although 9th Dawn III is a 2D world, the combat is done very well. There are over 300 weapons to choose and various builds. With over 500 pieces of armor and accessories available, no player will experience the game the same as another.
The map offered for this title is incredibly large as well. With a world full of crypts, fortresses, villages and dungeons available, exploration will take players countless hours to become acquainted with. 9th Dawn III embodies the idea that the game is all about the journey.
The controls for 9th Dawn III are quite simple. Combat is automatic, all users need to do to fight opponents is direct their control sticks in the direction in which they wish to aim.
As players advance and grow stronger, they can level up and appoint attribute skills to categories that include endurance, strength, dexterity, wisdom, and intelligence. 9th Dawn III also allows players to band up with teammates. The title is multiplayer, but users can also team up with NPCs and expand their team tenfold.
My Personal Experiences
I am huge fan of open world games. In fact, some of my favorite video games of all time are open world RPGs. When playing 9th Dawn III, I thought this game does a great job at providing everything an RPG needs to be successful, but nothing more at that point. When it comes to game design and graphics, it is clear that 9th Dawn III is the perfect example of the saying “less is more.”
I personally loved the customization aspect. Leveling up my weapons made me feel a great sense of joy and I thought the skill system tree was a great counterpart. I had to make informed decisions based on the build I was trying to achieve. My only complaint is that if I wanted to change up my fighting style, it felt like I had to restart the whole game. I would highly recommend that once you make your decision on what your players build is, you should stick to that plan and ride the whole game out.
The Final Verdict
Anyone who has played a dungeon crawler RPG before knows exactly what they are getting when purchasing 9th Dawn III. For the fans of this genre, you will love this game. For first time players, I also believe you will love this game.
9th Dawn III is also the perfect game for when a player is on the go. Since it was created by mobile developers, it makes sense why this game has transitioned smoothly to the Nintendo Switch. If you own multiple consoles and are debating which platform to play 9th Dawn III on, I will highly recommend the Switch as your console of choice.
Would I say 9th Dawn III is the most revolutionary game I have ever played? No, it is not. Would I say 9th Dawn III: Shadow of Erthil is a title that knows exactly what it is and can offer you hundreds of hours of gameplay? Yes, I can say that with the highest confidence. For the retail price of $15.99, this is a great buy.
Final Score: 8.5/10
Check Out the 9th Dawn III: Shadow of Erthil Trailer:
For more information, please visit http://valorware.com.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Nintendo Switch Review
Video games have played an essential role in my life since my parents purchased me my very own GameCube. Countless years and games later, I still have appreciation and love for the gaming community and culture. My passion for a variety of games has kept me close to many friends and roommates over the years. Starting in the fall, I will be embarking on my final year at Michigan State University. I am very excited to see what this year full of gaming will pertain.
More Stories
Check Out V Rising’s Launch Trailer Before its Full Release on May 8
Brawlhalla Welcomes Darth Maul
Hammerwatch II Review for Nintendo Switch