The world of Maliki: Poison of the Past stands on the brink of total apocalypse, threatened by a monstrous entity known as the Poison. This malevolent force, with its sprawling roots and creeping vines, transcends the boundaries of time and space, corrupting everything in its path. The only refuge from this relentless devastation lies within a timeless Domain—a sanctuary untouched by the Poison’s reach. Here, Maliki and her companions stand as the last guardians, ever vigilant in their duty to protect what remains of their world.
Players step into the shoes of Sand, a spirited and athletic young woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when her reality is invaded by the Poison. Dragged into the timeless Domain by the enigmatic Maliki, Sand finds herself thrust into a battle she never asked for, but nevertheless cannot ignore. Whether she likes it or not, she must uncover the truth behind the threat to the continuum and play a pivotal role in the fight to restore balance.
Alongside a quirky and unforgettable cast of characters, Sand dives headfirst into a tempest of danger and adventure. As she navigates this strange new world, she must learn to use Chrono Pack to manipulate time, forge alliances, and confront the chaos threatening to unravel existence itself. Will she rise to the challenge and become the hero the Domain needs? The fate of time and space rests in her hands.
The demo version of the game provides the first glimpse into the story and the world of the Maliki, offering a taste of this thoughtfully prepared dish. Rather than lingering on Sand’s mundane daily life or her place in the realm, the narrative thrusts players straight into the heart of the action. It’s an interesting narrative choice to introduce the existence of Maliki and her domain outside common time and space. An honest mistake immediately sets up a layer of mystery around the main characters and their relationships, showing, probably, one of the future outcomes of the adventure to begin.
The dialogues are extremely alive and emotional, with every character having their unique ‘voice’. The lines are not voiced, yet it’s easy to ‘hear’ the characters talking in your head, with their own intonations and expressions. At first everything seems hectic and confusing, as the characters assume that they already had spent a lot of time with the main character, Sand, but then everything settles down and becomes more reasonable when Malik basically sends her back to the beginning.
The visual style of the game is fairly outstanding. The 2D animation breathed life into the characters of the novel and comic books, enchanting the expression of the dialogues. Everyone there has their own sets of animations and emotions that reflect their personalities. Maliki herself is a bit awkward, Sand beams with determination and resolve, while Fenimale appears grumpy and so done with whatever is going on around.
The game’s world is brought to life through 3D graphics, utilizing relatively low-poly models that enhance its fantastical aesthetic. This art style reminds of Animal Crossing and classic JRPGs, blending together the best of both worlds—offering a cozy, inviting atmosphere. The soft, carefully crafted environments are brimming with detail, perfectly expressing the original atmosphere of the story and setting. The low-poly approach doesn’t detract from the beauty; instead, it adds a timeless, dreamlike quality that complements the game’s fantastical themes.
Maliki: Poison Of The Past features several main courses of activities. First and main one is, of course, world explorations with its puzzles and battles. Using time gates, players jump into different locations and ages, attempting to free them from Poison’s influence. Many puzzles are tied to Sand’s newfound ability to manipulate time, yet other characters in the party have their own unique skills that come in handy when different obstacles appear on the way.
At first glance the battle system was created around a classical turn based mechanic that might be painfully familiar to the fans of Persona or Octopath Traveler. However, there is a main difference from them all – time manipulation system, that adds another layer to battle strategy. Altering the course of time, players can create powerful combos between the characters or avoid the foe’s attack.
However, the combat system isn’t without its flaws. While the time manipulation adds depth, the battles can feel somewhat lacking in dynamism, with pacing that may not fully capture the urgency of the fight. Additionally, the absence of visible health bars for enemies can make it challenging to plan actions effectively, as players are left guessing how much damage is needed to defeat their foes. This omission can disrupt the flow of combat and make it harder to prioritize targets or build cohesive strategies.
The second course of in-game activities revolves around relaxing farming and crafting within Maliki’s Domain. When players need a break from the excitement and intensity of the main storyline, they can return to this serene sanctuary to unwind. Here, they can engage in peaceful farming, craft useful items, and tend to the land. After all, every hero deserves a moment of respite—savoring a delicious meal, enjoying the beauty of their surroundings, or reflecting on past adventures.
Whether you are a fan of original novels or completely new to this quirky world, this game possibly won’t leave you indifferent. While the turn-based combat might initially seem daunting to some, the game’s eccentric and slightly unhinged cast of characters will quickly draw players in making them stick around for longer. The mysterious story of Maliki and the secrets behind the Poison’s threats to the very essence of time await the hero to be discovered.
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