Foreword
Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle owes its existence to Japanese illustrator and developer Yoshiro Nishimura. He is a true veteran who has worked for companies such as Capcom and Vanillaware. His imagination helped bring to life the worlds of Odin Sphere, Dragon's Crown, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, and Monster Hunter.
After starting his independent career, Yoshiro went to a remote Japanese village, where he spent 6 years working on Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle. The resulting game looks like a magical book, where the illustrations are full of life. It has a bright and outstanding visual style that resembles Odin Sphere and Dragon's Crown — Yoshiro's experience immediately makes itself known. And pleasant, unobtrusive music complements the atmosphere of magic.
Modern players are accustomed to RPGs like Elden Ring and Baldur's Gate 3. Yoshiro's creation returns to the classic format of board games and interactive adventure books. You don't need to do complex calculations during the playthrough, but you will have to think about your actions and show ingenuity — the game rarely forgives mistakes.
Visiting the Wizard
Upon launching, the player is directly greeted by an elderly, cheerful wizard. This is the "Dungeon Master" who comments on battles and controls characters pursuing or fleeing from the protagonist. He can directly intervene in what is happening, but this happens extremely rarely.
Before starting, you need to choose your hero:
- A warrior named Havelock — a strong arena champion. He is a master of weapons, capable of parrying attacks and empowering himself in exchange for health. He travels with the goal of clearing the name of the witch who raised him.
- A mage named Paneri. The girl's powerful spells are useful in battle and in everyday life. She was wounded and lost her memory, and now wants to help the people who supported her during this difficult period.
The heroes will meet each other in the city of Erishing, where the witch Ingeborg is rampant. The main storyline will be similar: you need to deal with the witch and save the city. But for the game to fully unfold, you will have to go through both storylines, talk to all the characters, and read books — there are many plot intricacies.
The Power of Luck, Eloquence, and Decision-Making
The adventure is presented as an interactive book. It describes what is happening and offers actions: "jump," "hide," "talk." The choice leads to a new page describing the consequences. Some actions require a certain ability or item. Periodically, the game rolls dice or flips a coin, and then the outcome depends on luck. Sometimes a choice leads to inevitable death — you will have to rewind time and make a different choice.
The warrior has a straightforward approach to problem-solving. The mage has a whole arsenal of spells and magical items that will help open doors, get rid of obstacles, and deceive enemies. However, the magic supply is limited, and it may be needed in battle — you need to manage your resources carefully.
During the journey, you need to explore all available corners of the city. Any action can reward you with money, items, and experience. If you are poorly prepared, you can spoil your playthrough. And then loading a save or restarting an event will help until you can solve the problem thanks to lucky dice rolls.
Battles and Diplomacy
The evil witch has summoned hordes of monsters and otherworldly creatures to the city. In the city streets and beyond the walls of the dark castle, you can encounter the undead, ghosts, chimeras, and other mythical creatures from legends. Many of them are aggressive.
The hero's weapon is not eternal, and healing items are scarce. Therefore, a peaceful solution is the best solution. Fortunately, the game allows you to resolve most conflicts without bloodshed. The enemy can be bribed, persuaded, intimidated, deceived, and also neutralized with a spell.
In battle, the hero and the enemy roll dice. Whoever has the higher value attacks. Using items, spells, and ranged weapons does not end the turn. If the enemy is very annoying, it is better to shoot them. Some enemies attack outside of battle — you need to clear their lair so they stop bothering you.
Diagnosis
Playing Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle requires patience and perseverance. This is primarily a story interspersed with game elements. For a successful playthrough, you will have to read a lot and pay attention to details — otherwise, the game will punish you for mistakes.
The reward for perseverance will be immersion in a truly magical world, the opportunity to become part of a fascinating story, and to talk with memorable characters. In addition, the game will allow you to solve problems in unusual and diverse ways. And Yoshiro Nishimura's magnificent illustrations will help you relax after monotonous and uninspired games. Such a reward outweighs all the inconveniences that can be experienced during the playthrough.