GOBLIN SLAYER -ANOTHER ADVENTURER- NIGHTMARE FEAST REVIEW - WHEN BUDGET CUTS MEET WASTED POTENTIAL

Ever wondered what would happen if someone took Goblin Slayer, mixed it with a budget SRPG from 1995, and then forgot to add half the basic features we've come to expect from modern games? Well, grab your dice and lower your expectations, because GOBLIN SLAYER -ANOTHER ADVENTURER- NIGHTMARE FEAST (CHRIST THAT’S A LONG NAME, from now on we will just call it ehm… GSAANF) is here to show us exactly that.

WHERE'S THE GOBLIN SLAYING?

First, let's address the armored elephant in the room, despite being a Goblin Slayer game, our favorite helmet-wearing psychopath barely shows up. Instead, we follow an original story about a guild master and their party. The story itself isn't bad, it's actually pretty well-written and fully voiced, with some solid character moments. But if you're here expecting to go goblin hunting with the man himself, well... keep waiting.

TACTICAL DEPRESSION

The SRPG gameplay feels like it was made by someone who heard about Final Fantasy Tactics once in a fever dream. Movement is more restricted than a knight in full plate trying to do yoga, the UI is about as user-friendly as a angry cat, and the combat has all the depth of a puddle in the desert.

Want to compare equipment in the shop? Too bad! Feel like checking enemy attack ranges while moving? Nope! How about some basic quality-of-life features that have been standard since the PS1 era? Sorry, we don't do that here!

BUGS AND FEATURES

Every single system feels like it was designed by someone who's heard of video games but never actually played one. You can't compare equipment when shopping, can't check enemy ranges while moving, and the UI looks like it was designed during a power outage. The combat moves at the pace of continental drift, and the trap mechanics do about as much damage as throwing cotton balls at your enemies.

THE GOOD STUFF (SURPRISINGLY)

The voice acting actually slaps pretty hard, and the story, while not revolutionary, captures the Goblin Slayer vibe well. The character art is nice, and when the game isn't actively trying to frustrate you with its UI, there can be moments of genuine tactical fun. It's like finding a decent meal at a gas station – you're surprised, but you still know you could do better elsewhere.

CONCLUSION

GSAANF feels like a game that should've been released in 2004 for about $15, not 2024 for full price. It's got some good bones buried under a mountain of dated design choices and baffling UI decisions.

4.1/10

For die-hard Goblin Slayer fans who can hunger for more story content and can stomach some seriously clunky gameplay, there might be something here for you. For everyone else, maybe wait for a deep sale – like, really deep. We're talking "bottom of the bargain bin" deep.

We at NLM received a key for this game for free, this however didn't impact our review in any way. Though we might need therapy after trying to compare equipment stats for the hundredth time.