There’s something deadly going on in the ominous rock city of Balduq, and the experienced adventurer Adol Christin finds out the hard way when he is suddenly arrested upon his arrival. Our red-haired hero escapes from his prisoner with the help of a mysterious woman, but her help comes at a cost. Adol, now saddled with a curse that prevents him from leaving the city, has no choice but to obey his savior and strike at the corruption that is spreading across Balduq.
Ice IX: Monster Nox is an interesting base for his story. Falcom’s series has always put the ongoing protagonist Adol in creative situations, and this latest installment is no different. This time, Adol is not just some fiery swordsman looking for adventure; he is a popular refugee and the first few hours of the game set the tone for a completely darker story.
However, fans will love the overall structure of Monstrum Nox – especially if you played Dana’s Ice VIII: Lacrimosa. In the release in 2016, Adol suffered shipwreck on a long forgotten island, where he had to team up with other survivors to escape. Setting up Monstrum Nox can be quite different, but you will still gather allies, return regularly to a base of operations, and gradually unlock new areas of exploration.
Unfortunately, Monstrum Nox just does not feel as cohesive as its predecessor, and it is mostly the city of Balduq itself. Ice VIII’s Isle of Seiren offered a vast and varied landscape – an unforgettable mix of pristine island paradise, ominous ruins and unknown danger. Balduq, on the other hand, is disappointingly dull and gloomy. These are all gray streets and gray buildings, against a motionless gray sky. It clearly goes for a kind of oppressive, gothic tone – but flawed footage almost immediately undoes the illusion.
So it’s a good job that the city keeps you busy with its many secrets. Through the course of the game you get access to different platform capabilities. Before long, you are jumping up walls and sliding down from great heights. This is far from the beautiful style and satisfying smoothness of Marvel’s Spider-Man, but Balduq becomes a much more interesting place if you fall over the roofs like a true apostate. There are plenty of hidden treasures to discover, and the recurring monster portals ensure you are never too far from any sword-swinging action.
Platform also plays a key role when it comes to dungeons. Balduq is home to many underground mazes, which test your skills as well as your combat skills. In typical Ice mode, dungeons are fast-paced affairs, keeping you on your toes with monster struggles, a bit of light puzzle solving, and of course, extraordinary boss fights. Once again, the stone-gray architecture makes everything feel too much, but overall it’s a lot of fun to chop and chop through the dungeons of Monstrum Nox.
It is indeed the proven Ice battle system that holds everything together. The controls are as responsive as ever, with Adol and other playable party members capable of pulling flashy combinations and special attacks while performing at an instant’s elusive roll, jump and streak. It’s all so smooth and satisfying – especially if you’ve unlocked the character techniques of each character.
As for the plot, things are moving slightly slower than Ice fans would have long expected. Monstrum Nox boasts a fairly large cast and likes to give each new face a fair amount of time in the spotlight. As a result, we get chapters about a single member, who usually examine their personality and motivations. In that sense, Ice IX may feel more character-driven than its predecessors, which later lead to surprisingly influential interactions.
However, the focus on individuals means that the overarching plot often takes a back seat. Key elements in the story tend to lose steam quickly because they are set aside for the latest dose of character development. We are sitting with a core narrative that feels fragmented and even a little artificial once it has been said and done.
Closure
Ice IX: Monster Nox is another solid action RPG, but it lacks the overall cohesion of its predecessor on island. The city of Balduq is a disappointing monotonous environment, and the storytelling of the game often does not feel put together. But as is usually the case with Falcom’s long-running series, it’s the fast, satisfying and addictive gameplay that enhances the experience. Adol’s latest adventure is certainly not a classic, but for the most part it’s a fun ride nonetheless.