Threefold Recital is set in an oriental fantasy world where the metropolis of Bluescales faces turmoil after a long golden age. The mix of magic, modern, and ancient technologies challenges governance, while tensions between humans, beastlings, and dragons grow. In the shadows, a crisis looms…
Developed by: Everscape Games
Played on: Steam
Length: 10 hours
A review key was provided by Everscape Games.
Threefold Recital is a narrative-driven adventure game that explores philosophical, spiritual and empathetic themes. The game brings the players into a world where humans, human-like animals called “beastlings” and dragons coexist.
Featuring stunning architecture and intricate character designs, Threefold Recital invites players to experience a fantastical realm where ancient Eastern traditions and magic meet futuristic technology and innovation.
Magic, Technology and Conflict
Threefold Recital introduces players to Bluescales, a metropolis on a brink of change. A thousand years past its golden age, Bluescales faces a crisis as magic and technology vy for governance and social harmony. Tension rises as ancient miracles resurface, threatening to disrupt the metropolis’ fragile balance.
Bluescales stands as a character in its own right, its architecture and design seamlessly merging futuristic technology with traditional Eastern influences. Towering spires and shadowed alleys make Bluescales feel alive, rich with history at every turn. The game’s atmosphere is further enhanced by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, a fusion between traditional instruments and modern tones that perfectly embody the world’s dual nature.
The Wolf, The Fox, And The Snake
At the heart of Threefold Recital are three beastlings whose intertwined journeys shape the game’s narrative. Once ordinary animals, they transcended their origins through years of discipline, evolving into human-like beings. Their rise from humble beginnings to key figures in Bluescales’ fate forms the emotional core of the story.
- Triratna is a wolf-turned-Buddhist monk. He is a calm and introspective seeker of truth. Gifted with the rare ability to perceive and sever karma lines—the unseen threads of cause and effect—he unravels hidden truths and solves intricate puzzles. However, his disciplined nature ensures he wields this power sparingly.
- Taiqing is a fox-turned-Daoist priest. He masters the art of transmutation, crafting items through mystical alchemy. Moreover, he ventures into feng shui rifts, alternate dimensions where echoes of the past manifest, allowing him to manipulate reality by balancing yin and yang energies.
- Transia is a snake-turned-artist. She possesses the rare gift of entering paintings and altering appearances. Additionally, she can unveil hidden pathways and seamlessly blend into her surroundings for covert operations.
Together, these three beastlings weave a tale of transformation, philosophy, and discovery, each contributing a unique perspective to the ever-shifting world of Threefold Recital.
Gameplay & Narrative
Threefold Recital’s gameplay blends a 2D side-scrolling puzzle platformer with visual novel-style narrative-driven storytelling.The game features a series of layered puzzles that require players to think critically and creatively. Unlike traditional puzzle games that rely on straightforward solutions, Threefold Recital encourages players to experiment with different approaches to solve each challenge.
Players navigate each character through unique challenges, shifting perspectives to harness their distinct abilities. The game opens with a tutorial prologue that introduces the players with core mechanics while laying the groundwork for the overarching mystery. From there, the narrative unfolds through individual character arcs, each offering a deep dive into their personal journeys and abilities. Each character’s abilities provide distinct gameplay experiences:
- Triratna challenges players with intricate karma-cutting puzzles that evolve in complexity, introducing exploding lines and monochromatic schemes.
- Taiqing blends resource gathering with spellcasting through his transmutation mechanics, while his exploration of feng shui rifts unveils alternate dimensions filled with interactive memories. His abilities add complexity, rewarding players who experiment with duality.
- Transia specializes in traversal and disguise, allowing for stealth and creative solutions, though the pre-determined nature of her mechanics limits player agency.
While I enjoyed the platformer segments of the game, its real charm lies within its immersive storytelling, done through visual novel-style text-based dialogue and interactive choices that contribute to its atmospheric world building.
The game is at its best when all of its elements manage to come together; for instance, in one level, players must manipulate the three characters’ unique abilities to unlock a hidden pathway. These mechanics were cleverly integrated into the overarching story, making the puzzle feel like a meaningful part of the narrative. The hand-drawn art style further enhanced the experience, drawing players into its world.
I also enjoyed some of the game’s pop-culture moments, including this not-so-subtle Ace Attorney reference that really speaks to the humour of gaming culture.
Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Overall, Threefold Recital delivers an intriguing and rewarding experience for puzzle enthusiasts. Its combination of thoughtful mechanics, captivating storytelling, and striking visuals sets it apart from other games in the genre, though some players might find the difficulty level overwhelming at times. I also felt that the game felt draggy at points, and its immersive gameplay could be stronger.
However, the art and visual style blends well with the theme and narrative aspects of the game. The humour and pop-culture references also really help Threefold Recital fit in with gaming culture. It’s also a fun exploration of Eastern culture and philosophies, which might inspire players to further learn about Eastern beliefs and lifestyles.
Rating: 6.5/10
