That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles

Anime games don't exactly have the best track record. For every decent adaptation, we get dozens of soulless cash grabs that make you wonder if the developers even watched the source material. So when I heard about That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime getting a game (let's just call it Slime Chronicles, because that's certainly a mouthful), I wasn't exactly holding my breath.

Color me surprised. Not only is this game actually good – it might be one of the most surprising releases of the year. The developers captured the quirky nature of the original light novel and turned it into a charming game that's perfect for anime fans – or those who love slimes – whatever floats your boat.

More than Just Button Mashing

We've all played those anime games where you just mash the same three buttons until everything dies. Those arena brawlers – yes, I'm talking about you, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm – are dime a dozen as far as anime adaptations go. Slime Chronicles isn't that.

Sure, it's a side-scrolling action RPG, but there's actual depth here. You're constantly learning new abilities, combining different powers, and actually thinking about how to approach fights.

Does it get repetitive sometimes? Yeah, sure. But the steady drip of new abilities and combos keeps things interesting way longer than you'd expect. Plus, the relationship system means you're actually rewarded for trying out different fighting styles. That's enough to keep most players engaged – especially those already familiar with the anime's lore.

Running a (Slimy) Country

Here's where things get weird - in a good way. Between all the monster-slaying and power-collecting, you're basically playing a lite version of Cities: Skylines. The city-building isn't just some tacked-on feature either. Every building and upgrade actually affects your combat abilities, making the whole system feel like more than just busy work.

Remember in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla where upgrading your base improved your combat abilities? Something similar happens in Slime Chronicles. Is it as deep as a dedicated city builder? Nah. But it doesn't need to be. What matters is that it works, adding a layer of strategy that keeps you engaged even when you're not in combat.

It's refreshing to see a developer actually try something different instead of just copying and pasting the same old formula. That's essentially what Fuse did when they wrote the light novel, after all. I think this is one of the only anime games that 'deserves' a game that gets as weird as its premise.

Fan Service (That Won't Make You Cringe)

The visuals pop. Like, really pop. Everything's bright and colorful without looking cheap, and the animations are smooth as butter. The attention to detail is actually impressive – even minor characters get proper treatment instead of looking like they were copied from some mobile game asset store.

There's still some of that good old "visual novel" flair here and there. You know what I'm talking about – those cutscenes that are little more than PowerPoint presentations. Still, even Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth gets those these days, so a small game like this gets a pass from me.

Pros

• Engaging combat
• Entertaining city-building mechanics
• Looks just like the anime

Cons

• Late-game fights start to blend together
• Incredibly overwhelming for series' newcomers
• Story assumes you know what's going on with every character