Parents' Guide to

The_Otherside

By Chris Morris, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Action strategy game isn't sure what it wants to be.

Game Apple Arcade 2020
The_Otherside Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

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Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

There's a danger when you try to mix too many game genres, because if done right, it creates a masterpiece, but if you're just a little bit off, though, it can lead to a lot of confusion. The_Otherside tries hard, but falls a bit short of the goal. Technically an RPG game with a strong strategy element, it leans a bit too hard on action. Fighting the dimensional invaders can be a slog and the fights are often unwinnable, though seemingly unavoidable. Even the game's early/easy levels can prove to be especially challenging, which will frustrate players.

That's a shame, since it gets the other mechanics right. The turn-based roleplay fits wonderfully in this sort of game and there's definitely the strategic question of whether you should spend time exploring rooms for ammo or new weapons or if you should rush to destroy the spirit anchors (the key to defeating the enemy). And the game generally plays in fairly short rounds, which lets you try new strategies, should you fail. It's a game that tries hard, but doesn't quite manage to break through to, well, the other side.

Game Details

  • Platform: Apple Arcade
  • Pricing structure: Paid
  • Available online?: Available online
  • Publisher: The Label
  • Release date: May 8, 2020
  • Genre: Role-Playing
  • ESRB rating: NR for No Descriptions
  • Last updated: July 6, 2020

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