[PS5] Review of Shadowfall in ELDRADOR CREATURES

Eldrador Creatures Shadowfall, developed by Wild River Games in collaboration with Schleich, transports players into a strategic, turn-based combat experience on the PlayStation 5. This game draws inspiration from the beloved Eldrador Creatures toy line, weaving a richly detailed narrative where four distinct worlds vie for dominance. Let’s dive into what this game offers in our review.

Building upon the foundation laid by its predecessor from 2020 on the PS4, this iteration brings you back to the fantastical land of Eldrador. Here, four opposing realms—the Stone World, ruled by the formidable Stone Dragon; the Ice World, under the icy reign of the Ice Dragon; the verdant Jungle World, governed by its Jungle Dragon; and the fiery Lava World, commanded by the towering Lava Dragon—compete for supremacy. The game kicks off in the Lava World, where you’ll face the fearsome shadow creatures led by the malevolent Shadow Dragon.

For gameplay, you have the option to select from four difficulty levels: Easy, Normal, Hard, and Very Hard. Opt for Easy, and you’ll notice enemy attacks inflict 60% of their usual damage, and their health is also reduced to 60%. Normal provides a balanced challenge, while Hard modes increase enemy damage and health to 130%, and Very Hard ramps it up to 160%. Your decision on difficulty will markedly influence your gaming experience.

Being a turn-based strategy game, you’ll utilize the left analog stick to navigate your characters across the battlefield. Positioning your units strategically is crucial before employing their unique attacks. Should your units become frozen or immobilized, their actions are limited to either moving or attacking during a turn. Complete your moves, and it’s time to brace yourself for the opponents’ counteractions. If an enemy is within striking distance, use the L1 button for targeting, followed by the X button to unleash your attack.

The game features a variety of skills, each offering strategic advantages. Take the Lava Smasher, for instance. Its basic skill, Smash, lets you knock enemies back, potentially sending them sprawling into lava hazards. With sufficient Mana, you can trigger its special skill, Comet Smash, dealing widespread damage and setting nearby tiles ablaze. Collect Mana wisely, as it’s a shared resource across your team, vital for activating these powerful abilities.

Players earn gold to purchase upgrades that enhance their team. These upgrades bolster your creatures’ health, increase attack power, extend Mana reserves, or expand your team roster. Through battles, creatures gain experience points which, upon leveling up, improve stats and unlock new abilities. Investing in these upgrades is pivotal to outperforming adversaries.

For trophy enthusiasts, Eldrador Creatures Shadowfall offers an enticing challenge. This Cross-Buy title enables you to download both PS4 and PS5 versions with distinct trophy lists. The game boasts a rich array of achievements, from completing specific combat feats to strategic level completions, culminating in the coveted Platinum trophy.

Engage with various creatures to discover ideal strategies for different battles. Attributes such as health, range, and special abilities like the Lava Hyena’s nimble movements through allies and foes add layers of tactical depth. The fully voice-acted dialogue brings these mystical characters to life, enhancing the immersive experience.

Eldrador Creatures Shadowfall is priced at $19.99, providing access to both console generations and their respective achievements. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Eldrador universe or new to its enchanting depths, this game offers a blend of strategic challenges and rewarding progression—a worthy addition to your gaming library.

This review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Wild River Games.