Remember the 2016 release Rabi-Ribi? As weird as the name might be (it’s “rabbey,” not “rabbi”…I think?), it was a unique platforming experience that still stands out in today’s market – if only because not many developers cover territory like this. Its anime style, combined with thrilling combat and inspired story, truly make it stand out. Or so I thought.
That’s because the developers at CreSpirit have actually managed to top this experience with the absolutely inspired – and awesome – Tevi. It has similar elements to what made Rabi-Ribi work so well, but with a battle system that really opens up over time, along with crafting abilities and, oh, yeah, the kind of bullet-hell-laden boss fights that will make you drool with envy.
On top of that, Tevi also shows great improvement in visuals and audio, like an anime brought to life. The end result is a Metroidvania that truly stands out on its own merit, as CreSpirit’s best work to date. Pair it up with Rabi-Ribi and, honestly, you simply can’t beat it.
The Bunny Ears Have It
The game puts you in control of Tevi, a powerful warrior who starts out simply enough when she begins her journey to track down precious astral gears. Turns out that they’re in high demand, and she’ll have to fight through others in an effort to collect them all. (There’s more to the story, but to spoil it would ruin the surprises that await.)
Joining Tevi on her crusade are the demon Sable and the magical Celine, who actually transform into orbs that Tevi can fire off in the heat of combat (with charging needed at first). Combine these with her vicious dagger attacks and, well, she’s a force to be reckoned with.
But, surprise, Tevi actually grows better as time goes on, thanks to a battle system that lets you purchase combat upgrades, as well as crafting that lets you create better weapons from the heavens (or hells, I suppose). The end result is a game where you can actually feel a difference with the gameplay, with each new battle that you take on.
Which is a good thing, because CreSpirit has loaded Tevi with some great bosses. They start out simple at first, but they soon develop firing patterns akin to the better “bullet hell” games out there, where you’ll need to be agile enough to avoid taking significant damage.
That combines beautifully with the game’s exploration system, where you’ll visit towns, hunt down secrets and scavenge through dungeons in an effort to find extra goodies. There’s a good save system in place here, and you can use portals to get around certain spaces quicker.
I was just in awe with how much I enjoyed Tevi. It plays beautifully, with controls that are responsive and grow as you continue to play; and its story has plenty of surprises in store for the main characters, along with secondary ones you come across. Like I said, I’ve grown to admire it more than Rabi-Ribi, which is really saying something.
If you’re a fan of Metroidvania or need a new anime-style addiction to latch onto, Tevi is a must.
It Looks and Sounds Great, Too
One thing I really enjoyed about Rabi-Ribi was how well the developers latched on to the anime approach, complete with cute-looking (but devastatingly powerful) characters and charming music. Well, they’ve grown up over the years, as Tevi takes everything up a notch.
While not going above and beyond into full-blown “everything is animated” status, Tevigets more than enough right. The characters and enemy animations are very well done, coupled with a map system where you can easily keep track of things and find additional secrets. The conversation sequences are cute as well, feeling like a flashback to the olden days of RPG’s. You’ll want to soak the whole thing in and enjoy, really.
Also, the soundtrack is excellent. Though the tracks do tend to repeat, CreSpirit has packed Tevi with a bunch of memorable themes, each fitting the characters in a loving fashion. The sound effects are good, too, along with some of the vocal effects (in Japanese, but I wouldn’t have it any other way). It all works together divinely, to the point you might want to pop in a headset so your ears capture the essence of everything.
Overall, I’m really pleased with how Tevi turned out in terms of presentation. You might just be in awe of it, too.
A Surprise Must-Have For 2023
I’ve already had a list of growing favorite titles for 2023, but Tevi has managed to sneak its way in there. Everything about the game feels just about right. It does take a little bit to get started, but the story and characters are great enough to keep you going. Then the meat of the game arises, and it’s excellent.
With evolving gameplay and a presentation that does the developer proud, Tevi is an absolute must for your game library. And while you’re at it, pick up Rabi-Ribi if you haven’t already, and make the most out of an anime holiday.
GAMERHUB RATING: FOUR AND A HALF (out of FIVE) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to JF Games for providing the game code!
