When I was a kid, I loved single screen block pushing puzzle games on the NES.  Some of my favorites included the Adventures of Lolo series and Kickle Cubicle.  Now there’s a new game in that vein that you can buy as a homebrew NES cartridge, but you can also download it on the Switch.  Roniu is a magician’s apprentice who isn’t happy with his lot in life, so he ventures into a dungeon to find his fortune.  Inside he finds a ghost of a girl who has been trapped down there for a long time, so together they solve single screen room puzzles.

In each room, Roniu must collect a key and reach the exit.  But each time he takes a step, the floor behind him breaks, so you have to be careful of the path you take.  You must also avoid the enemies roving around the rooms as well.  Luckily Roniu has a few magic tricks up his sleeve.  You start out with just one, but after you beat a few levels and get a password, you’ll learn another.  Abilities include shooting a fireball to defeat enemies or break blocks, floating over spaces, or turning into a ghost to go through blocks and walls.  You have limited usage of these skills, so you’ll have to really think about when to use them.  In some levels you can also collect a medallion for an extra challenge.

I had a couple of problems with this game.  One is that the controls are too slippery.  It’s so easy to fall off the edge.  I wish the controls were more like Startropics or some of the more modern Frogger games where you can turn without going forward in one direction.  The other problem I have is you must use passwords to continue, which is common with NES games.  But that’s not the problem I have with these passwords.  You only get a password after completing a few floors before going to the next.  I know some people may say, “well that’s just NES hard,” but even Adventures of Lolo and Kickle Cubicle gave you passwords after every level you solved.  There’s no reason why this game couldn’t do that either.  If it did, this game would be a lot better.  It’s just frustrating to have to finish a whole set of levels with only three lives before being able to save, especially considering how hard this game is.

Kid Factor:

Nothing too violent or objectionable.  Enemies just disappear when defeated and when you lose a life, you just wiggle around going “woo woo woo woo.”  Reading skill is helpful, but not necessary just to play.  Younger gamers may find it too difficult, though.  Roniu’s Tale is rated E for Everyone.

Tags: Game Reviews