Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve played a bit of the “Dichotomy” test for the open-world RPG Silver Palace to see what it’s all about. Given it’s set to be free-to-play, I’m impressed with how robust the game is, as there’s plenty to do even without engaging in the gacha mechanics at this point in time. Of course, there are a couple of issues that are worth mentioning, but this certainly seems like one of the more impressive free-to-play offerings.
Combat in Silver Palace is quite smooth, having you hack and slash away at creepy foes using a silver lance. You can parry incoming enemy attacks with decent timing, so those who aren’t as accustomed to tight parrying will still be able to get the most out of the combat. There’s a slick gunshot that you can throw into combos as well, making for a pleasant amount of variety in how you choose to take down your foes.
Another intriguing mechanic involves observing your surroundings – a fitting action for a detective. An early part has you evaluating nearby civilians to see if they might be Werewolves, leading to battles against the feral creatures. As you take on cases, you’re able to put evidence together on a flow chart to try to deduce the culprit or mechanism at the heart of the case, too. These mechanics help make the “detective” title less like set dressing and more of a central part of the experience.
You play as a sibling detective duo in Silver Palace, choosing to either play as the brother or sister. After an action-packed prologue, which features a large boss battle against a duo of artistic interpretations of Life and Death, you’re thrust to the streets of Silverina. Things get going quickly, and soon enough, you’re working with the police and taking on cases with your new staff members, and I can see a lot of potential in this narrative.
Credit: Silver Studio
This is also where the gacha mechanics come in, as you can pull characters and equipment like you might in similar free-to-play games. As far as I got into the game, the gacha system didn’t seem especially necessary for the main plot, so at the very least, it’s not as intrusive as it often is in mobile games and their ilk. It’s hard to judge whether that’ll be the case when the full game releases, given that this is a test, but I’m glad it’s at least manageable at the moment.
Silver Palace has a distinct world and setting.
The world of Silver Palace is uniquely distinctive, blending a Victorian-era setting with a fantastical industrial vibe centered on the suitably silvery substance known as Silverium. It’s a neat mix of futuristic fantasy tech with older architecture and the like, which fits the Sherlock Holmes-esque tone of the story whilst giving it a fresh new flavor.
Credit: Silver Studio
The visual style is colorful and lively, though I can’t help but feel the character designs are a bit “much.” Most characters come off as a tad overdesigned for my tastes, with several accessories and patterns strewn throughout their costumes, making the whole cast too busy. The designs themselves are alright otherwise; there’s just a bit too much going on on top.
My time with Silver Palace was enjoyable all-around, as the combat and deduction mechanics combine with the interesting setting quite well. I can’t say I love the gacha mechanics, but they’re not intrusive enough in the test to be much of a bother. Though the game doesn’t have a specific release date at this time, when it launches, it’ll be available on PC, iOS, Android, and consoles.
