Child of Light (PS4)

Thank you Ubisoft for sending us this game to review!

Aurora is a princess who lost her mother at a young age.  Soon after her father remarries, she contracts an ailment that sends her away to the world of Lemuria.  As much as she wants to return to her father, she must first help the people of Lemuria by restoring light into their world. To do so, she must reclaim the sun, moon, and stars from their evil queen.

This is a tall order for a little child, but Aurora is not an ordinary girl and she is not alone.  Her first friend is a firefly by the name of Igniculus.    Not only can Igniculus heal and light her path, he can also open up certain treasure chests and activate switches that Aurora cannot reach.  While Child of Light is primarily a single-player game, a second player can control Igniculus.  

Child of Light’s gameplay style is a combination of 2D platforming and role playing.  There are plenty of puzzles, jumping platforms, and hidden treasures to be had.  Dangerous monsters lurk about and battles commence upon touching them.  If you get them from behind you’ll gain a surprise attack advantage.  

During a battle there’s a battle bar that has unit icons steadily moving along it.  Their speed is determined by their speed stats and any buffs that may be helping or hindering them.  At the end of the battle bar is a casting section and it is in this section that a unit’s attack is made.  If a unit is stuck in the middle of their attack, they will get interrupted and knocked back a bit.  It’s best to attack the enemy before they complete their attack.  Though sometimes they have a nasty counter attack for interrupting them!  

Aurora’s friends can fight alongside her or with each other in battle.  Aurora does not have to be in the fighting party.  Each friend has their own unique back story and fighting abilities.  Many enemies have an elemental weakness and one of the friends is an elemental mage.  Other friends include a tumbler who can heal (along with her brother later on in the game), a ranger mouse that can shoot multiple enemies in one turn, a brutishly strong guard, and a couple of other magically gifted friends.

As battles are won, loot is often dropped and experience is given. Each character has a branching skill tree that allows you to buff up their stats and attacks.  Stone fragments called oculi can be equipped, crafted and upgraded to offer elemental immunity and attack bonuses.  Potions can also be used in battle to restore health, magic, and temporarily boost stats and attacks.  

There is a good amount of variety when it comes to the enemies, but they often reappear with different elemental affinities.  The bosses are unique, big, and intimidating.  The environments and art style in this game are absolutely stunning.  Remote play works flawlessly, but this game is so beautiful that playing it on a small screen is doing it a disservice.

The voice acting is great and I like how all of the dialogue rhymes, just like a children's story book!  The background music is pleasant to listen to and the flute music played by Aurora is both calming and catchy.  The songs have a beautiful blend of piano, flute, and violin mixed together and forming whimsical lullabies.  The soundtrack is by Cœur de pirate and is available on iTunes for $9.99.  

There is much to like with Child of Light; the story is endearing and the characters are likeable.  There are some puzzles but they are relatively easy.  This is a great game for kids if you don’t mind the fantasy violence and magic use.  While the gameplay is short,  the price is a reasonable $15.  There is some DLC available to add another friend/quest to the game along with some booster oculi and new skins for Aurora.  There is only one save slot on the PS4 version so make sure that it doesn’t get overwritten if you have multiple gamers in your house!