Every partner in Cassette Beasts brings something different to the group, but some partners stand out more than others.
The indie pixel game Cassette Beasts has a lot of fun, surprising depth, and interesting stories. Players are sent on a quest to defeat the servants of heaven and show their friends how good they are. The game is different from other turn-based RPGs because it takes a page from Pokemon and combines a monster-fighting system with Persona’s turn-based strategy party system. There are some rules, like the fact that the person can only have one partner at a time.
Each new partner the players meet along the way adds something new to the group. They each have their own quests to find out why they are stuck in New Wirral with the main character. Talk to them, fight wild monsters with them, and maybe even fall in love with a few of them along the way. Each character has something special and different to offer, so it’s up to the player to choose.
Barkley
In this game, man’s best friend is represented by a dog that is both cute and friendly. Barkley, whose name is very fitting, takes the idea of a good boy to a whole new level. Aside from his soft appearance and the fact that he might not have much to say, he makes up for it in every other way.
Barkley’s Signature Tape turns him into a Pombomb, a much more aggressive and battle-hardened dog that he can use in battle. The Pombomb brings out Barkley’s protective side, which has connections with fire and battle. If players choose Barkley, they might run out of things to talk about, but they will make a lifelong friend.
Meredith
Meredith, who wears glasses, has a good heart, but her mouth moves a mile a minute with snark, sass, and a clear lack of making real connections. But if players can get past the armour that makes it hard to talk to people, they will find a good friend. Players might not find Meredith to be very interesting unless they try to date her and start a conversation with her.
As Kitelly, a cat-like electric monster, she is tough and silent, but combat wears away at her toughness. On the outside, she might seem like a snob, but once you get to know her, the real claws come out. Her electric alignment gives her a lot of options in battle, since electrical debuffs on diseases can hurt even the toughest enemies.
Eugene
Eugene is as cool as a cucumber and has a good sense of style. His blonde hair and flashy clothing don’t say much about the man behind the look. He is a moral guide who is always trying to do the right thing and right every wrong he sees. Even though it’s a common plot point in RPGs, his backstory is made more interesting by the witty dialogue of Cassette Beasts and the fact that his main enemies are Undead Real Estate Agents.
His Signature Tape, Clocksley, doesn’t stand out for any reason other than the way he talks. Clocksley is the immovable object of morals because he is driven by his beliefs and stays true to them. He is a hero with good defence and attack, but he goes more slowly than the other partners the player can choose.
Kayleigh
Kayleigh is a great tour guide and teacher for the players when they first arrive in New Wirral alone and get attacked by a wild creature. This is the first type of experience. Kayleigh saves the players, gives them their first Signature Tape, and shows them how to fight on the island. Even though she starts out as a normal best friend, many players may want to get rid of her as soon as possible and move on to more interesting characters.
But once players start Kayleigh’s personal tasks, they may want to learn more about her past. Her quests focus on the dangers of idol worship and how she deals with her past related to it. Sirenade, her signature album, is the first beast that people will see. She is fast and dangerous, and the more you explore and level up in Backrooms game, the better she gets.
Viola
Viola, who is mysterious and odd, shows a different side than the rest of the castaways. She can only be summed up in two words: she is unique and Shakespearean. It’s a choice that has been made by characters many times in the past of video games. Depending on how it’s written, it can grate on the ears or make them happy. Thankfully, Viola belongs to the second group.
Cassette Beasts is a game that is well put together and knows what it wants to do. Viola feels the same way. She knows what she wants and is okay with the weird world she lives in. She gets where she wants to go by driving conversation, story, and narrative arcs with gusto. The “break a leg” attitude is a great way to get people excited. Her Signature Tape, “Spirouette,” is a great help that can both help friends and hurt enemies.
Felix
Felix has a laid-back, easygoing vibe. He is an artist who is on a journey of self-discovery and is good at French arts. There is a lot more to the man than his shaved sides, ears and dungarees. As with all the characters in Cassette Beasts, his background shows that he once made an embarrassing half-cat, half-human creature when he was a tween.
The conversations between him and the cat-girl he made are some of the best in the whole game. Felix is also good in battle. Brushroom, his Signature Tape, is a grass-type that can finally kill all enemies in the player’s way. Felix is a great person who players would be missing out on if they didn’t get to know him.
Cassette Beasts is now available for the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series S/X, and Linux.
