Yohane the Parhelion - NUMAZU in the MIRAGE -

Well, here's yet another game thrown before me where I have yet to learn about the context or lore of the series. Yohane the Parhelion - NUMAZU in the MIRAGE comes from an anime/manga franchise that I've never heard of but is seemingly popular among a dedicated fan base. That'll make finding a happy parallel with the original media challenging, but the gameplay counts.

Yohane the Parhelion - NUMAZU in the MIRAGE is a deck-building roguelite title where players will battle foes in a fortune-teller narrative. The story here may elude me, but I can move past that if we have a decent card game. Let's explore this official spin-off title and see if it appeals to unaware players like myself.

Play Your Cards Right

Yohane the Parhelion - NUMAZU in the MIRAGE - ventures into deck-building roguelites, a spin-off from the famous 'Love Live! Sunshine!!' anime/manga series. In this game, players accompany the protagonist, Yohane, who is inexplicably drawn into a world where the strategic assembly of cards determines the fate of events. As players navigate this unique narrative landscape, they must construct an effective deck and engage in battles that are key to shaping the world's destiny.

However, delving into the storyline of Yohane the Parhelion proves to be a perplexing experience. The game introduces confusing deck-building mechanics that mirror the narrative's complexity. Understanding the nuances of summoning, charm, and battle cards becomes challenging, compounded by the game's lack of intuitive guidance. This lack of clarity in mechanics hampers the player's ability to grasp and enjoy the unique aspects of the game entirely.

While the gameplay mechanics may leave players scratching their heads, the visuals of Yohane the Parhelion shine with charm. The game boasts a visually appealing aesthetic, and the diversity of gameplay elements is commendable. Unfortunately, the confusing deck-building mechanics overshadow these positive aspects, making it challenging for players to appreciate the visual and gameplay variety fully.

It's never the intention of the developers to create complex mechanics based on the lore. But often, these tend to fall short of appealing to the fan base and the broader audience. If you're like me and have no history with the series, Yohane the Parhelion - NUMAZU in the MIRAGE will be too out there for comfort.

It's All a Mirage

Despite the potential appeal to fans familiar with the 'Love Live! Sunshine!!' series and those with a penchant for intricate JRPG mechanics, Yohane the Parhelion falls short of standing alongside acclaimed deck-building roguelites like Slay The Spire. The game caters primarily to those deeply immersed in the lore, leaving casual players struggling to find enjoyment amidst the convoluted mechanics.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Gorgeous graphics with a charming aesthetic
• Diversity in gameplay and playing style is commendable
• Seems to be faithful to the series

Cons:

• Unintuitive mechanics for effective deck-building
• It feels like you can't enjoy the game without knowing the lore
• No effort to cater to casual players