Cris Tales Is A New Take On A Beloved Genre – E3 Preview

One of the biggest standouts at E3 2019 was a hidden gem booked at the request of a trusted PR rep who claimed it was a must-see title. In case you didn’t know, nearly every PR rep claims the newest unannounced title in their line-up is “must see” and usually I walk away a tad underwhelmed. This time I took the bait and was not disappointed.

Cris Tales is a newly announced title from Modus Games. “Experience Past, Present, and Future simultaneously in this gorgeous, indie love letter to classic JRPGs.” This sounds like blogger clickbait, but I can assure you it is anything but.

In Cris Tales you play as Crisbell, a newly awakened time mage who can see into past, future, and, of course, the present. There is a Time Empress dead set on destroying the Crystallis region as well as the greater world. Your job is obviously to stop her.

Crisbell’s Time Mage powers allow her to see what used to be and what will become of the world around her. The screen is split into three parts showing different time periods of each environment. In the center of the screen you see the present, while on the left and right you see the past and future respectively. Being able to see across time allows Crisbell to discover what happened in the past, and use it to help the situation in the present or future. If you cause something to happen in the past, you will feel its effect not only in the present, but also see its effects years later. The concept is difficult to convey, but immediately understandable when you see it in action.

Also present in Cris Tales is turn-based combat. With her Time Mage powers, Crisbell can send an enemy into a different time and see them there as they were or will be. An enemy seen in the past may be very fast and agile, but sending them into the future makes them slower, but perhaps more powerful or wise. Even effects such as poison can be used in interesting ways when mixed with time travel. Trying to inflict damage through an impenetrable shield? Throw some water on it and send it to the future and the rust will give way in no time, allowing you to cause damage to your enemies.

Unlike many turn-based games, there is also some skill involved with Cris Tales’ combat system. Selecting the correct moves is important, but so is timing your button presses.  It’s a combination that seems to take everything you love about the traditional turn-based RPG formula and makes it even better.

The world is beautiful and the sound design is outstanding. We’re looking forward to Cris Tales when it launches in 2020.

If you are reading this before June 24th, 2019 – there’s a free, short demo available on Steam. We suggest you give it a whirl.