Every once in awhile you come across a game that blends two genres together to make something new. These aren't always good, but some of them do it pretty decently. As you probably guessed, I recently came across a game like this, and felt like it was worth mentioning. Maybe you've heard about it, or wish to talk about your experiences with games that blend genres, good or bad. As for my recent example...
"Knights in the Nightmare" is a tactics RPG with bullet-hell elements. Yes, I said that correctly. "How the hell does THAT work?!" I hear you type in sheer panic. Well, how to explain it... Your units are placed on battlefield specific locations. You then decide which units you want to put on these grid spaces. Based on which attack ranges they have, placing them properly can decide the battle. Your units cannot move, but enemies can slowly move between the spaces.
Where are those bullet hell elements? You yourself control a wisp, and you move between your units (Which are dead spirits that you command) to give them orders. The enemies can only see you, and their attacks are done in a more simplistic bullet-hell style, where they fire bullets at you can have their own patterns. They don't always fill the screen like a bullet hell, but it does get a bit frantic. Some large bullets split apart. Some swirl around the screen in a circular pattern.
To the common person, this sounds like a madness combination straight from the mind of a crazy person. And it probably was! But it works surprisingly well, with the game always being smooth, filled lots of colour and beautiful sprite and artwork of both enemies and allies alike. The game was made by Sting Entertainment and published by Atlus. It's on DS, PSP, and Vita PSN currently ($15 on the latter option).
So, that brings me to the discussion part of a forum post after gushing all over the game. What games have you come across that blends and bends genres? Were they good or bad?
"Knights in the Nightmare" is a tactics RPG with bullet-hell elements. Yes, I said that correctly. "How the hell does THAT work?!" I hear you type in sheer panic. Well, how to explain it... Your units are placed on battlefield specific locations. You then decide which units you want to put on these grid spaces. Based on which attack ranges they have, placing them properly can decide the battle. Your units cannot move, but enemies can slowly move between the spaces.
Where are those bullet hell elements? You yourself control a wisp, and you move between your units (Which are dead spirits that you command) to give them orders. The enemies can only see you, and their attacks are done in a more simplistic bullet-hell style, where they fire bullets at you can have their own patterns. They don't always fill the screen like a bullet hell, but it does get a bit frantic. Some large bullets split apart. Some swirl around the screen in a circular pattern.
To the common person, this sounds like a madness combination straight from the mind of a crazy person. And it probably was! But it works surprisingly well, with the game always being smooth, filled lots of colour and beautiful sprite and artwork of both enemies and allies alike. The game was made by Sting Entertainment and published by Atlus. It's on DS, PSP, and Vita PSN currently ($15 on the latter option).
So, that brings me to the discussion part of a forum post after gushing all over the game. What games have you come across that blends and bends genres? Were they good or bad?
