Review: Time Princess - Coming Calamities

New visual novels in Time Princess have been less frequent over the past few years and are usually posted in two parts. Such was the case for Coming Calamities, the latest visual novel in the popular dress-up app. This story is inspired by Norse mythology, which is a first for this game, with its impressive ability to come up with new content after having released so many other stories. The new fashions match well with the theme, providing a nice mix of Viking warrior ensembles and glamorous fantasy gowns. While the story was a bit lacking on the emotional side, it introduces a rich and whimsical world rooted heavily in Norse mythology.

Travelers exploring Coming Calamities take on the role of Kaiya, a warrior chosen by Odin and prophesied to bring about Ragnarok, the fabled end of the age of gods. Since visual novel characters in Time Princess come are not always royalty, as the game's title would imply, Kaiya is portrayed as a member of a Viking family from humble roots in a friendly competition with her brother to prove herself as the best warrior. On her journey, she encounters many powerful and iconic gods in whimsical and exotic settings. When she is summoned to Asgard as a reward for her accomplishments, Odin attempts to use her to fulfill his own goals. Loki and Brynhildr have different plans in mind, giving the player two different paths to follow to defeat the fire giant, Surtr, and bring about Ragnarok.

Coming Calamities is less of a romance than many of the other visual novels in Time Princess, so the companions are treated more as partners in battle for Kaiya to achieve her goals. However, players who choose Loki's route will be treated to some light flirtation, since Loki is typically popular among female fans of Norse mythology. The attention to detail in his character design from this game was clearly meant to reflect that. Odin is not always portrayed as evil in Norse mythology, but he is clearly the villain of this story, no matter which path players choose. Making him a companion is an interesting choice that hearkens all the way back to Chapur in Magic Lamp. Brynhildr, or Valkerie, is the alternate companion for players who don't want to follow Loki's route. She has an interesting backstory that reveals how manipulative Odin can be, even among his own family.

The artwork in this story is particularly stunning compared to other visual novels in Time Princess. Norse mythology provides a treasure trove of whimsical settings to explore, from Asgard to Helheim, and this game had a field day with them. Every background is stunningly crafted, and the designs for characters like Loki and Hel show a level of artistry that goes beyond merely story illustrations. Since this is the first visual novel in Time Princess that takes place in a Viking setting, the outfits provide a new style for the game's bottomless wardrobe.  There is are traditional Viking costumes, along with some whimsical fantasy gowns that combine the story's mythological roots with a feminine flair.

Coming Calamities is a visually stunning addition to Time Princess, offering a fresh take on Norse mythology and a unique blend of action and adventure. This story incorporates a recently introduced battle system in the game that requires players to tap bubbles within a set period of time. It's pretty easy yet effective in feeling more involved in the action than simply scrolling through text, which works well in warrior-centric stories like this one. Though the plot doesn't have the same level of emotional depth as a romance would, the artwork and settings shine, making it a must-play for fans of the game and mythology enthusiasts alike.