Name: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
Item: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
Rating: 8
Author: Brodinand Broseph Bronandez

The main part of this game is a visual novel with an adventure game look (think of "point-and-click" adventure games but with console controls), but most of what you'll be doing is just listening to dialogue and choosing replies, trying to alter/steer events to change the outcome. There are only extremely simplified puzzle game mechanics every now and then.

People who might be familiar with Vanillaware games could feel disappointed because this doesn't play like their typical side-scrolling action games like Odin Sphere, Dragon's Crown, or Muramasa Demon Blade. This is instead a story-heavy game, with a tactical real-time strategy game on the side.

You'll be playing short chunks of stories between 13 characters. Most of their stories intertwine with each other, such that, if you're playing character A, you'll maybe find character B as an antagonist, but once you're playing character B, from their point-of-view, it might be the opposite, or something else entirely.

There are no alternate endings, but you will be accessing "branches" in the story, and you are meant to exhaust all possible branches to understand the story completely.

The combat part is more of a minigame. A tactical RTS, with simplified graphics (you are just looking at blips and lights on the map). If you don't care about the graphics (which is a shame because the mechs look cool), this is still a satisfying RTS minigame with enough depth.

The story and combat work hand-in-hand. You'll find yourself switching to the combat missions to unlock more story, and sometimes it'll be the opposite. Getting an S Rank in a combat mission could unlock a lore entry that might provide clues to help explain the mysteries. Completing chapters in the story will reward you with points to use for unlocking weapon upgrades to your mechs.

Who is this game for: If you watch anime or read books, if you like sci-fi mind-bending stories, and if you're patient and fine with not completely understanding the premise in the first few "episodes", uncovering clues bit-by-bit and making connections in your head, you'll love this game.

The game has like maybe four to five layers of plot twists (I can't even remember myself). This is where the game shines: just when you think you finally understood it all, it throws you something at the right moment to second-guess yourself.

Limitations: At least one playable character feels like their story was rushed and not given enough time to be fleshed-out, you'll end up wishing they had more story chapters, even though the story is quite lengthy as it is.

Hardware-wise, during the final missions when there are too many enemies in the map, you will get framerate drops (even with a PS4 Pro).

The main part of this game is a visual novel with an adventure game look (think of "point-and-click" adventure games but with console controls), but most of what you'll be doing is just listening to dialogue and choosing replies, trying to alter/steer events to change the outcome. There are only extremely simplified puzzle game mechanics every now and then.People who might be familiar with Vanillaware games could feel disappointed because this doesn't play like their typical side-scrolling action games like Odin Sphere, Dragon's Crown, or Muramasa Demon Blade. This is instead a story-heavy game, with a tactical real-time strategy game on the side.You'll be playing short chunks of stories between 13 characters. Most of their stories intertwine with each other, such that, if you're playing character A, you'll maybe find character B as an antagonist, but once you're playing character B, from their point-of-view, it might be the opposite, or something else entirely.There are no alternate endings, but you will be accessing "branches" in the story, and you are meant to exhaust all possible branches to understand the story completely.The combat part is more of a minigame. A tactical RTS, with simplified graphics (you are just looking at blips and lights on the map). If you don't care about the graphics (which is a shame because the mechs look cool), this is still a satisfying RTS minigame with enough depth.The story and combat work hand-in-hand. You'll find yourself switching to the combat missions to unlock more story, and sometimes it'll be the opposite. Getting an S Rank in a combat mission could unlock a lore entry that might provide clues to help explain the mysteries. Completing chapters in the story will reward you with points to use for unlocking weapon upgrades to your mechs.Who is this game for: If you watch anime or read books, if you like sci-fi mind-bending stories, and if you're patient and fine with not completely understanding the premise in the first few "episodes", uncovering clues bit-by-bit and making connections in your head, you'll love this game.The game has like maybe four to five layers of plot twists (I can't even remember myself). This is where the game shines: just when you think you finally understood it all, it throws you something at the right moment to second-guess yourself.Limitations: At least one playable character feels like their story was rushed and not given enough time to be fleshed-out, you'll end up wishing they had more story chapters, even though the story is quite lengthy as it is.Hardware-wise, during the final missions when there are too many enemies in the map, you will get framerate drops (even with a PS4 Pro).

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

Player Score

Brodinand Broseph Bronandez