8Bit/Digi

A Story of Love and Friendship in War

Wing of Darkness is a game that attempts to be an aerial mecha combat experience while the story is told in the style of a visual novel. As a mecha game, players will control their Held System in a battle to save humanity. As a visual novel, it follows the story of two squad mates who develop a strong bond while trying to fight for humanity. 

Such a blend of two styles is not unheard of but the real question is does it work? Wing of Darkness as a mecha game and visual novel works to its advantage but the real problem is that one aspect of it falls short compared to the other. While it’s a great game, wanting to pick it up will be based on which style will one be attracted to.

The Opening Strike

Wing of Darkness is set in a world where war between nations has become a thing of the past. Instead, humanity is at war against an invading alien force known as the Blankers. To defeat them, humanity has created a weapon called the Held System (an aerial-based mech). They could only be operated by a select few humans (based on certain qualifications), who have been organized in a unit called the Frauleins.

Players will take on the role of a pilot as they fight to save humanity. At the same time, the story will follow the journey of pilots Klara and Erika. Told through a series of cutscenes before and after a mission, it follows their journey during the conflict along with the bond they build in these moments of darkness.

I’m going, to be honest; this game isn’t getting any points for telling an original story. If you have ever seen a mecha anime like Darling in the Franxx or anything from the Macross series, then you have heard this story one too many times. What it lacks in creativity, it makes up for regarding the characters and how much you will connect with them.

Journey into the Fog

The gameplay is a standard mecha/ariel combat shooter. Players take control of a mech and pilot it through a battlefield. Prior to a mission, you will have the choice to customize the armaments of the Held System based on the players preferred fighting style. The combat is standard – explore the map, shoot the enemy, and beat the boss or bosses of the stage. After each mission, players will sit through a cutscene that is focused on Klara and Erika story.

Learning about the gameplay is easy, but it’s incredibly bland. You get to fight waves of Blankers but there is no thrill or excitement in the action. Not helping is how empty the battlefield feels with nothing but mountains, bodies of water, and forests. They do shake things up a bit in a few levels by adding building structures. It’s also not that visually appealing when it comes to the in-game details as the color scheme reflects its overall feeling of blandness.  

Wing of Darkness biggest strength is telling a compelling story of love and friendship in the face of impending annihilation. From a narrative perspective, the world building is superior as we are given a good understanding of the setting through Klara and Erika story. The cutscenes are long but they get you hooked as you want to learn more about these characters and what happens to them during this war.

Friendship in the Face of Death

This a game that wants to be both a mecha shooter and a visual novel, but it only succeeds at being one of those things. As a visual novel, it excels at telling an emotionally driven story about two friends in a war for survival. It makes you want to be invested in what is happening to the characters and their world. As a mecha shooter, it’s not that exciting and you only want to finish it just to get back to the story. It’s not frustrating but it lacks any excitement nor does it hold up when compared to the genre staples. 

Wing of Darkness is an emotionally driven story in an ok mecha game. Those who enjoy visual novels will be invested in Klara and Erika story during the conflict. Fans of mecha games will not be too impressed with the gameplay and might want to pick it just for the story. 

Disclaimer: Clouded Leopard Entertainment provided the game used in this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides an insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Wing of Darkness (PC)

7

Good

7.0/10

Pros

• Characters you will care for and be emotionally invested in.
• A familiar setting with strong world building and narrative design.
• Easy to learn combat mechanics.

Cons

• Mecha combat is bland and boring with no excitement.