Where did it all go wrong? Wuthering Waves 3.0 Act 1 review!

Summary

In this detailed critique of *La Hyroy*, the reviewer praises the game's stunning presentation, including its seamless animation and cinematography. However, they express disappointment with the rushed storytelling, character introductions, and lack of narrative depth. While some characters, like Cartas and Froolova, stand out, many others feel underdeveloped or sidelined. The reviewer laments the shift toward gacha-first mechanics, which detracts from the immersive, game-first experience that *Withering Waves* had succeeded in. Overall, the critique highlights the game's potential but underscores how its storytelling often falters under the weight of gacha-driven design.

Takeaways

• 😀 The game *La Hyroy* shows promise with beautiful presentation and world-building, but struggles with rushed character introductions and storytelling flaws.
• 😀 The cinematics and in-game cutscenes are praised for their fluid animation and seamless integration, often feeling like watching a polished movie.
• 😀 While Kuro has created memorable characters in past patches, they struggle with tying narratives together and making character introductions feel organic.
• 😀 The game's storytelling often prioritizes gacha mechanics over natural character development, leading to rushed relationships and unearned emotional connections.
• 😀 Despite the game's visual appeal, the pacing and character development can feel forced, with some characters' arcs feeling incomplete or abandoned.
• 😀 The first chapter of the new region falls short in world-building and setting up future conflicts, focusing too much on Len and not enough on the academy and its surroundings.
• 😀 Len's backstory as a ruthless mercenary feels inconsistent with her character development in the game, making her arc feel incoherent and incomplete.
• 😀 *La Hyroy* showcases a tendency to resolve character arcs too quickly, removing the potential for ongoing conflicts that could enrich the narrative.
• 😀 The game's exploration mechanics are fun, but there are concerns that certain features may be locked behind gacha characters in the future.
• 😀 Combat mechanics in *La Hyroy* strike a balance between gacha and gameplay, but there's concern that power creep and reliance on DPS checks could detract from the experience.
• 😀 Despite criticisms of its pacing and narrative choices, there is still hope that future patches will improve the storytelling and character development, particularly with the academy setting.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker has with *La Hyroy*?

The main issue with *La Hyroy* is that the game often prioritizes gacha elements over storytelling and character development. This results in rushed character introductions, underdeveloped relationships, and missed opportunities for deeper narrative engagement.

How does the speaker feel about the game's presentation and cinematics?

The speaker praises *La Hyroy*'s presentation, particularly its cinematics and in-game cinematography. They describe the cutscenes as beautiful, fluid, and cinematic, with a strong mix of 2D and 3D animation. The game’s visuals are considered top-notch, making it feel like a polished movie.

What strengths does the speaker highlight regarding *La Hyroy*'s character stories?

The speaker appreciates that when *La Hyroy* takes its time with character development, the stories are emotionally engaging. Characters like *Cartas*, *Loopers*, and *Flovers* are examples of well-told stories that resonate with players due to their thoughtful pacing and depth.

Why does the speaker feel rushed character introductions are problematic?

Rushed character introductions lead to shallow relationships that feel unearned. Instead of building natural, believable connections between the protagonist and other characters, the game often speeds through character development, making it seem more like a commercial push for new gacha characters.

How does the speaker describe the handling of Len’s character arc?

The speaker criticizes the handling of Len’s character arc, pointing out that it feels inconsistent. Len's backstory as a ruthless mercenary conflicts with her more innocent persona, and the resolution of her plotline is too fast, missing the chance to develop her character over a longer period.

What does the speaker think about the world-building in *La Hyroy*?

The speaker feels that the world-building in *La Hyroy* is underdeveloped. While the academy's design is impressive, the game fails to delve into the culture, internal conflicts, or deeper issues within the academy, making it feel like a surface-level setting rather than a rich, lived-in world.

What was the issue with the introduction of Chisa’s character?

The speaker is disappointed with how Chisa's character is handled, particularly her reunion with her parents, which is quickly brushed aside with little emotional depth. This reinforces the critique that *La Hyroy* only focuses on characters when they are actively being marketed, rather than investing in their ongoing narrative.

How does the speaker view the pacing of the game’s story, especially in the first act of the new region?

The speaker finds the pacing of the first act of the new region frustrating. The focus on Len's story meant that the rest of the academy, its students, and the world were barely explored. The story missed the opportunity to introduce the setting and its conflicts in a more comprehensive way, which could have enriched the game.

Why does the speaker believe the game’s narrative is ‘gacha first, game second’?

The speaker believes that *La Hyroy* places too much emphasis on the gacha system, where the introduction of new characters takes precedence over storytelling. This makes the narrative feel more like a marketing tool to sell characters than an immersive, character-driven experience.

What is the speaker’s opinion on the gameplay mechanics, particularly exploration and combat?

The speaker enjoys the exploration mechanics, especially the joy of cruising through the landscapes, but expresses concern that future content may lock such features behind new characters. They also find the combat balanced but are wary of the rising focus on flashy new characters and the potential for power creep, which could negatively impact the game's long-term appeal.