ASTLIBRA Gaiden: The Cave of Phantom Mist Review

Initial release date: October 17, 2024

Developer: KEIZO

Publisher: WhisperGames

“Review Code Provided By ININ Games” 

Having played and enjoyed the original Astlibra, I was excited to hear that KEIZO, the developer, had released a DLC, Astlibra Gaiden: Cave of the Phantom Mist. Considering the long development period of the original, it was surprising to see the new content arrive in less than a year. Released first on PC and then for the Switch on October 17, this spin-off had been under development for a while and I couldn’t be more excited to dive back into this game’s world.

This DLC is set within the timeline of the original game's mid-section, and it's advised to have finished Astlibra to avoid spoilers. Although the narrative in Cave of the Phantom Mist is not as central as in the main game, there are still spoiler alerts that could affect the surprise elements from Astlibra, particularly concerning the fates of certain characters.

Players assume the role of the Baker’s Daughter, a character alluded to but never introduced in the original game. This spin-off provides a backstory to her character and explores her relationship with Polin, a talking wolf from the main game.

The storyline kicks off with the disappearance of Astlibra's heroes, who go missing in the Phantom Cave. Polin enlists the Baker’s Daughter to help locate and rescue the missing party, sparking off this new quest.

Gameplay in Cave of the Phantom Mist diverges somewhat from the original, focusing on rogue-lite mechanics that involve dungeon crawling with a twist: every time the protagonist exits the cave, her level resets. However, Force Gems collected by defeating enemies are retained and can be used in the Grow system to upgrade her abilities.

The Grow system is similar to the one in the original game, resembling a massive chart where each node unlocked provides enhancements. The game introduces a balance of risk and reward, urging players to gauge how deep to venture into the cave without losing their collected gems. For those looking for a less strenuous challenge, the game offers easier difficulty settings that mitigate the loss of gems, allowing for a more exploration-focused experience.

While the bosses in this DLC are less challenging than in the original, due to the game's rogue-lite nature and limited save points, it keeps the gameplay engaging. The DLC excels in reusing the original game's secrets and puzzles in new ways, rewarding both newcomers and returning players with hidden items and cleverly disguised puzzles, like those found beneath the Well.

One of the significant changes is the protagonist's abilities. The Baker’s Daughter can be significantly stronger than Astlibra’s original hero, especially with class-specific super moves that offer unique combat advantages. This, coupled with the Astlibra scale's return—now with an improved UI for better accessibility—enhances the strategic element of the game.

Magic also plays a more direct role in this DLC, with the Baker’s Daughter wielding powerful spells that offer clear advantages over the original's transformation magic. This includes better visibility of invincibility frames during battles, making the combat sequences more intuitive.

The game maintains the aesthetic of the original but reduces the extent of character customization, which might be a downside for some. The Baker’s Daughter’s appearance is primarily influenced by her weapon and a few available outfits, a narrower scope compared to the extensive customization options in Astlibra.

The soundtrack remains consistent with the original, blending new tracks with reused themes that create a familiar yet fresh auditory experience. KEIZO's careful selection of music complements the game's atmosphere perfectly.

Cave of the Phantom Mist presents an engaging expansion of the Astlibra universe, offering a compelling blend of new and familiar elements that will especially appeal to fans of the original. While the game is priced attractively at $9.99, providing great value, it is best appreciated by those who have experienced the original Astlibra. Newcomers might miss the full impact without the background provided by the main game so I implore you to go play the original game!