Tevi Review | Attack of the Fanboy

The Metroidvania idea has enthralled gamers now for dozens of years because it took on a novel buzzword standing to spice up the enchantment of 2D video games. Tevi is the most recent sport to undertake this subgenre, and in my assessment, I consider its distinctive contributions as a sport!

A Metroidvania with RPG and Bullet Hell Parts

Tevi is, on the floor degree, one other 2D sidescroller with backtracking and loads of secrets and techniques to uncover. You’ll be able to unleash more and more layered melee combos, evasive maneuvers, and basic assaults when you degree up, and discover new ranged assaults to pack a wallop earlier than the enemy reaches you.

In doing this, it creates a Metroidvania with RPG and bullet hell parts, however not maybe within the Contra or Enter the Gungeon sense. The enemies can unleash some fairly lethal and shocking ranged assaults with the same old hallmarks of bullet hells — difficult-to-dodge projectiles specifically. They’re not overly lethal until you crank the issue, which could upset some bullet hell/masocore purists.

Whereas enemy projectiles don’t immediately kill you, you’ll discover one thing as you strategy boss battles: the sport begins to really feel as if Mega Man Zero took on a Metroidvania really feel. Whether or not this was supposed or not, I’m positive a advertising and marketing pitch to coin the time period “Megatroidvania” would possible be filed underneath ‘Phrase Soup’ however the expertise is one thing folks have needed for years. You’ll be able to customise your builds, and even change projectile sorts on a whim to fit your fight conditions.

Boss fights are sometimes the end result of the most effective gameplay mechanics, the place buffs and debuffs, standing illnesses, and damaged stances come into play. Exterior of battle, you’ll be able to craft objects from elements gathered from fallen enemies together with HP-restoring meals that may prevent in sticky conditions. You’ll be able to attempt to break down their defenses whereas evading an ungodly quantity of photographs coming your manner, and it may possibly really feel intoxicating to get sucked right into a boss battle even after dying often.

Difficult, however Forgiving With out Being Merciless

Concerning the sport’s problem, you’ll be able to moderately anticipate a problem at Regular+ earlier than going even greater. The sport’s problem will spike immensely for those who veer off the crushed path as you’ll discover you’ll be able to encounter some bosses out of sequence. Sequence-breaking is thought and inspired by the builders and is way easier than within the days of Tremendous Metroid. This feels oddly liberating, however can be intimidating for those who’re afraid of being caught in any given space towards a boss who’s simply too robust.

Nevertheless, with the sport’s built-in saving mechanics together with save factors that heal you, checkpoint-style saves for if you enter new areas, and purple therapeutic factors, you’ll be able to relaxation assured. Tevi is difficult, however forgiving with out being merciless. When you ever end up caught towards a boss, you’ll be able to doubtlessly discover different areas, or regroup and collect therapeutic objects to attempt once more.

An Entertaining and Self-Conscious Anime Aesthetic

For these already following the information about this sport’s growth, you would possibly already know concerning the fantastic anime character designs by Ein Lee of RWBY fame. The titular principal character, Tevi, is an lovable but hilariously impolite waffle-loving engineer alongside together with her trusty magitech allies together with Celia and Sable. The solid of characters grows as you discover the sport’s world, with bosses typically having compelling character designs and interactions continually being amusing.

The precise story of the sport is forgettable with bland fad-based inclusions like Norse or Greek areas like Valhalla and Tartarus. However Tevi typically helps you overlook this because of an entertaining and self-aware anime aesthetic. The phrase “weebie-jeebies” was launched to me by means of this sport when one other character, Caprice, went on slightly too lengthy about getting her chief’s approval and it caught me fully off-guard. The sport has Tevi’s adoptive father as an intrepid scientist with an obsession with all issues bunny-related, actually promoting me on this as an incredible Metroidvania for the otakus.

The Soundtrack for Tevi Is Suitably Killer

One of many largest highlights of the sport is definitely the music. Whereas particular person areas like Oasis may not at all times have essentially the most attention-grabbing background music, it’s spectacular how assorted the tunes actually are. While you encounter a boss combat, issues rapidly crank to 11 and you’re feeling the vitality coursing by means of you because of infectious beats.

3R2, Oli Jan, Triodust, Bo-Xun Lin, Brandon  Yates, and Dance with the Useless characteristic on this sport’s rating, making for impressively numerous background music. With a Metroidvania sporting Mega Man facets, a sport franchise identified for iconic music, the soundtrack for Tevi is suitably killer and a worthy homage.

The Verdict

I went into Tevi initially underwhelmed by its first biomes, feeling they borrowed an excessive amount of from Metroid. However as I explored, gained upgrades, and clutched my gamepad with depth whereas chipping away at superior bosses, I rapidly noticed its enchantment. The concept of enjoying this at dwelling on Steam or the go on my Swap is tantalizing, particularly with what number of hours I’ve already sunk into the sport.

Tevi has an incredible format of biomes and a deep customization system that rapidly means that you can customise and prioritize playstyles. Its boss fights are compelling, assorted and quick-paced with nice gimmicks, and whereas its story and worldbuilding are forgettable, its character interactions assist outweigh the faults. With an amusing love for waffles, a pointy wit, and a curious thoughts, Tevi has the makings of a very memorable sport protagonist followers will need to preserve round.

_{This assessment was made potential by CreSpirit, with a complimentary copy of Tevi, scheduled for vast launch on November 30, 2023.}

– This text was up to date on November twenty ninth, 2023

About The Writer

J.R. is a Workers Author with AOTF and has been protecting gaming and leisure within the trade since 2022. Together with a B.A. in Historical past from the College of Cincinnati, he has studied on the College of Birmingham, UK, and a part of his M.A. on the College of Waterloo. You may discover J.R. notably at dwelling writing concerning the hottest manga and anime. He’s extremely captivated with horror, technique, and RPGs, and something about Star Trek or LOTR. When not ranting about fan theories or writing guides, J.R. is streaming his favourite RPGs and different forgotten gems.