REVIEW : ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights (XBOX Series X)
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights checks all of the boxes for a good Metroidvania. It provides a massive labyrinth that is enjoyable to explore. You discover fascinating new abilities to unlock previously inaccessible sections, all while levelling up and strengthening your character with powers and equipment. I’m a sucker for the genre, so no matter how many games join the space, that bare minimum is typically enough to bring me on board. However, when I explored Ender Lilies’ gorgeously portrayed gothic country, I discovered that it’s hard yet fun fighting and many mysteries helped elevate it above several of its contemporaries. Ender Lilies is unlikely to entice people who have grown tired of this type of game, but those wishing to scratch that familiar itch will find much to enjoy here.
Lily is a young priestess who awakens to find her hometown of Land’s End in shambles. The “Rain of Death” has ravaged the earth and converted its inhabitants into undead abominations known as the Blighted. Lily is the only one who can cleanse those who have been infected with this disease, but she is not a trained fighter. The Umbral Knight, an eternal protector who serves as Lily’s sword and guide, enters the picture.
When Lilly fights, she summons the Knight, who annihilates enemies with simple yet rewarding hack n’ slash moves that may be upgraded to hit harder and execute longer combos. These strikes appear to be slick, and seeing the Knight do the dirty work while Lily meekly cowers in the background is an attractive bonus. Lily’s guardian spirit roster expands as she seeks out additional afflicted souls and engages them in thrilling, white-knuckle boss encounters. Lily obtains crucial powers after killing these enemies, allowing her to explore new regions of the map. If you’ve played enough of these games, you’re familiar with their abilities.
Expect to see a double leap, speed dash, and wall jump, among other things. But, because of the number of fascinating optional mini-bosses hidden within each zone, I was always delighted to gain greater mobility and unlock entry to a new location.
Smaller adversaries, such as disease-ridden wizards and undead paladins, may be weaker than the crucial route monsters, but killing them frequently rewards Lily with strong new attacks that might tip the scales in your favour. I enjoy creating a massive whirlwind to blowback adversaries or a fireball-shooting bird to assist me.
Ender Lilies is no joke when it comes to difficulty. Therefore these abilities are priceless. Though the problem is more enjoyable than onerous, the game requires an above-average level of finesse because even the most basic foes may rapidly annihilate inattentive players, and you’ll quickly realise that having more powers at your disposal is better. In addition, some skills are simply better suited to specific foes. For example, I discovered a fantastic method of suffocating sluggish adversaries with a toxic cloud before they could reach me.
Although you can defeat any monster with any of your attacks, Ender Lilies encourages players who experiment with loadouts. I loved trying out different techniques and seeing how they worked. Combining attacks is also effective. For example, it’s slick conjuring a behemoth to launch adversaries upward with his tremendous downward strike, then impaling them in midair with an arrow salvo courtesy of a fallen archer.
However, you can only equip a limited number of abilities and equipment, and it’s a little bothersome that you can only change your loadout in save rooms. When you have to drop everything to return to the nearest checkpoint, the pleasure of earning a new power fades. Despite this, having as many tools as possible in my arsenal became an excellent drive for me to search room after terror-filled room.
The map is a massive network of rooms that has me happily rubbing my hands in anticipation of each new adventure. Ender Lilies is divided into stunning, visually different biomes, ranging from a mages-run underground laboratory to a fairytale-like forest. Except for one poisonous swamp that was more stressful than enjoyable, I had a good time exploring most of these regions. Beautiful musical composition for each zone distinguishes them even more; I looked forward to returning to numerous zones merely to hear my favourite songs again.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the genre is clearing a map of its secrets, and Ender Lilies litters its locations with enticing goodies to discover. I was preoccupied with locating valuable upgrades like additional weapon slots, permanent health increases, and blessings that increased the strength of my healing abilities. Rooms also conceal truly intriguing notes and journal entries that flesh out the world while describing the personal tragedies of its unfortunate occupants. Best of all, Ender Lilies’ colour-coded map conveys when you’ve depleted a room’s treasures, letting you know when it’s time to move on. However, some items are a touch too buried and necessitate a little tiptoeing to see that faint white glow over an area you’ve passed over several times before.
