Cris Tales
Review

Cris Tales (2021) is a role-playing game where you see how your actions in the present affect the past and future. You play as Crisbell in a cartoon-looking adventure through four Kingdoms in a bid to stop the powerful Time Empress and rewrite the future of the world.

Play involves exploring the world, meeting and recruiting powerful allies and of course battling the dark powers. Each person you meet has their own story and skills that help and influence your tactics and decisions. As you progress you have to make choices with far-reaching consequences both for the people in your team and the world around you.

A big novelty of the game is being able to see the state of the world in the past and the future in real-time as you walk around. The screen is divided into three and as the world is seen through each section you can see the past and future. People get older, buildings are changed and the choices you make are seen in real-time.

Combat also leans into this time shifting mechanic. It's turn-based but lets you warp your enemies into the past or future. This enables you to synchronise attacks for enhanced group abilities, and master the timing of attack and defence.

Beyond the novelties, Cris Tales offers an unusual story that requires your wits to uncover and undo a multi-faceted plot to end the world. Climb aboard an airship or boat and traverse this handcrafted, dark fairytale world. From the shining kingdom of Crystallis to the slums of Saint Clarity, discover each unique location and shape its future.

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Cris Tales 2 years ago. It was re-examined by Ben Kendall and updated 8 months ago.