Girls Frontline's spin-off, Project Neural Cloud Exilium, impresses with its stunning visuals but disappoints with its reliance on a stingy gacha system and unoriginal gameplay.
Project Neural Cloud Exilium, the latest installment in the Girls Frontline franchise, is a stark departure from its predecessors. Set in a dystopian world a decade after the events of Girls Frontline, Exilium offers a grim and unforgiving tale of survival and redemption.
Visually, Exilium is a masterpiece. Cinematic cutscenes rivaling Michael Bay's theatrics immerse players in the desolate world of Exilium. The characters are meticulously designed, each with their own unique quirks and expressions. Unfortunately, the narrative falls short, bogged down by verbose dialogue and a confusing lack of entry points for newcomers to the franchise.
Exilium's gameplay draws inspiration from XCOM, adopting a turn-based tactical style. Players control a squad of Dolls, each with their own abilities and weaknesses. While the strategic gameplay offers some depth, the emphasis on environmental interaction and the sluggish pacing can lead to frustration and goose hunts.
Exilium showcases impressive attention to detail in its character roster. Each Doll's unique summoning animation and personalized sanctuary add a touch of whimsy. However, the simplified dorm system pales in comparison to Girls Frontline's rich customization options.
One of the most glaring flaws of Exilium is its gacha system. Unlike Girls Frontline's generous part allocation system, Exilium adopts a copy-paste approach from Genshin Impact, with a paltry 0.6% chance to acquire the rarest Dolls. This combined with a premium currency gain that slows to a crawl hinders progression and undermines player satisfaction.
The aforementioned issues culminate in a sense of deja vu and disappointment. Despite its impressive visuals, Exilium lacks the charm and innovation that made Girls Frontline a beloved franchise. The departure from Girls Frontline's signature generosity and the unoriginal gameplay choices leave Exilium feeling like a lost cause in the chasm of sequels.
Project Neural Cloud Exilium is a missed opportunity. While its stunning visuals and attention to detail are commendable, the disappointing narrative, uninspired gameplay, and stingy gacha system mar the experience. For fans of Girls Frontline seeking a return to the beloved franchise, Exilium falls short of expectations, leaving them stranded in a post-apocalyptic wasteland of mediocrity.
