Hindsight is a wonderful thing! Being able to reflect on your past actions is a great experience and something that many of us don’t take the time to do. Yet, if you had the opportunity to reverse time and change the outcome of a life-changing event, would you take it? In Hindsight 20/20 Wrath of the Raakshara, you get to revisit the past to alter the future. But can you make the right choices, or will you repeat your past mistakes?
Developed and published by Triple-I Games, this is an RPG adventure title. Inspired by The Legend of Zelda series from the N64 and using a special engine to power its main concept, I was excited to see what was on offer. With multiple endings available, and every action having a consequence, this was an intriguing proposition to explore.
Hindsight 20/20 Wrath of the Raakshara will test your moral fibre.
Hindsight 20/20 Wrath of the Raakshara beautifully blends RPG mechanics with in-game choices. Your actions will test your moral fibre, and every decision impacts the surrounding world. Will people see you as a villain, hero, or something in between? Will they quake at your name, or will they cheer your name as you pass? How you choose to live your life has a deep-rooted impact on future playthroughs, and this makes for a mouthwatering prospect.
You control Jehan, a one-armed warrior who is haunted by his past. His father is murdered, and he finds himself at a crossroads. Will he choose the righteous path, or will he allow revenge to guide his decisions? The choices are yours, but you must abide by your decisions. You live in a kingdom dominated by two towns, Champaner and Gibsonia. A dreadful plague infects the people and those that are inflicted turn to Raakshara’s who are sustained by drinking human blood! If they stay, they will be arrested and killed. So many run to Gibsonia to avoid capture and to start a new life.
It’s a dark tale full of sorrow and misery, but you can make a difference. Will you slay your father’s murder or allow him to live? Can you help the villagers or will you have no time for small tasks? These are but some issues you’ll face and your choices help to create this story’s rich tapestry.
An excellent story full of dungeons, puzzles, and interesting characters.
The six-hour-long plot is a thoroughly enjoyable experience that’s full of dungeons, puzzles, and interesting characters. You are free to explore this dark fantasy world, helping whomever you wish while completing tasks however you like. I adored how my actions manipulated the story and the surrounding people. It was fascinating how quickly the world evolved and the many choices you face.
The gameplay comprises three categories; combat, puzzles and exploring.
Puzzles.
The puzzle elements are where the Zelda inspiration can be seen. With switches to trigger, pathways to unlock, and battles blocking your way, you must keep on your toes as you progress. The simple logic-based events are easy to solve, and most involve basic colour patterns or the moving of crates. I never struggled with the complexity of the problems, but I enjoyed how they linked the many sections of the story.
Combat.
The combat is unusual for the genre and comprises an aggressive and passive method, where you must select from a sword or a baton. The first allows you to combine six swings devastatingly, but is at odds with the belief of the people of Champaner. The latter option forces your foes to surrender as their morale is depleted. If you focus on the passive option, you will retain your beliefs, but revenge will not be a choice. It’s a fine balance, and neither is right nor wrong. However, it will impact the course of your game, so choose wisely.
What I loved about the combat was the stylised approach that always finishes with a Matrix-like slow-motion flurry. With an array of blows to be dealt, and special attacks available once you’ve gathered enough Shakti, every fight was interesting. My only complaint is the hack n slash nature of the battles. If you wish, you can keep slapping buttons to be victorious, and this takes no skill or finesse. I would have liked it to have been more refined to increase the difficulty.
Exploration.
Exploring the 3D world is excellent, and I loved wandering the dungeons, meeting the interesting characters and deciding my destiny. Triple-I Games has created a deep and fascinating land that complements the other elements nicely. I never tired of searching the decimated kingdom, and it amazed me how small changes had a large impact on the fate of Champaner. The mainly linear approach will frustrate some gamers, but fortunately, you are always in control. If you wish to avoid a side quest, or simply don’t wish to help someone, you can ignore their requests and carry on, regardless.
Hindsight 20/20 Wrath of the Raakshara takes its Zelda inspiration a little too far.
I, like most of the gaming industry, recognise the impact that Zelda has had on the RPG genre. Yet, I’d like to think we’ve advanced beyond its limitations. Sadly, however, Hindsight 20/20 Wrath of the Raakshara wears its inspiration with pride. The somewhat dated and blocky imagery has a modern polish, but it still screams early console gaming. This wasn’t a problem, and it was pleasant enough on the eyes, it just wasn’t in keeping with the other advanced elements of the game. The world you explore is a horrific and miserable place. This is beautifully represented through grey tones and a well-constructed environment. I loved how this evolved depending on how you acted, and your behaviour will bring fortune or sorrow to this dark fantasy world.
The constant state of flux is also shown in the audio. With ever-changing music and tone, you are taken on an emotional roller-coaster from the first moment. I enjoyed the euphoric sounds when you were considered a hero, and the melancholy music when you broke the people’s hearts. The soundtrack is brilliantly designed and works perfectly with the game’s unique mechanics.
The controls were simple enough, however, a little refinement would have improved the experience.
The developers kindly included in-depth tutorial videos that thoroughly explain new mechanics, such as focus attacks, blocks, dashing, and so forth. This was excellent, as you picked up the basics extremely easily. My issue with the controls was the lack of refinement, which allowed the aforementioned hack n slash elements to dominate proceedings. This didn’t impact the enjoyment factor, nor did it put me off playing. I simply would have liked it to be more challenging.
Hindsight 20/20 Wrath of the Raakshara is moreish and you’ll return to play repeatedly. I loved how the world evolved based on your decisions, and how easy it was to take a different path during alternative playthroughs. It was extremely clever and made this stand out from its peers. If you are a completionist, you’ll need to set aside hours as multiple attempts are needed to finish it.
Hindsight 20/20 Wrath of the Raakshara is an intelligent title with a dated aesthetic.
Hindsight 20/20 Wrath of the Raakshara is a title that took me by surprise! I didn’t expect the in-depth story, the wonderful NPCs, or the nod to Zelda. However, the dated aesthetic was at odds with the other elements. It has a few shortcomings, but it’s an interesting take on the genre that has enough about it to stand out. I enjoyed it and recommend you to buy it here! How you behave is your choice, but remember actions have consequences and they’ll follow you forever. Do you have what it takes to save Champaner, or will you allow it to crumble?
