Amelia, a young journalist, has the circus in her blood. Her uncle runs her famous Circus Electrique, and her mother was a former circus performer who died in an accident ten years before her. Amelia is given the task of reporting on the reopening of the circus, but disaster strikes as London becomes plagued by a mysterious incident called “Madening” that turns its residents violent.
Circus Electrique packs a big punch in its steampunk aesthetic, and this first influence builds upon the introduction of a variety of unique systems. However, the game quickly becomes overwhelming when the floodgates open and tutorial after tutorial throws you at it. there is.
Each turn is a day in the game, with different tasks to complete. The main part of each turn is a circus performance that needs to be orchestrated. Big Top has certain shows that require you to pay attention to each performer’s relationship to get higher ratings and fill the space with performers to get better rewards. There is also a chance to heal her party members, recruit more allies, and craft items.
Once all the administrative work is done, the last thing to do is head to the streets of London and fight the enemies that are being taken over by ‘The Maddening’. Only non-resting members or circus performances can fill the party.
Combat is a lot of fun, with different types of performers having different advantages and types of effects. There is an element of tactics, such as being able to dispatch enemies in the traditional way of making them have zero HP, or using movement to make them zero devotion and flee from battle. It can be a more effective strategy in some situations.
There’s a lot going on, but that doesn’t stop the game from feeling old. With only one battle per day in the game, the title feels very slow-paced, and as a result the story is disappointing. I feel so broken.
