Developer: Beehive Studios
Platforms: PC (Reviewed), Switch
Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
Publisher: Team17
Lumentale: Memories of Trey is a monster-collecting RPG developed by Beehive Studios and published by Team17. The game is set in the vast world of Talea, a region inhabited by creatures known as Animon. Once, humans and Animon lived together peacefully, but after internal conflict caused the empire to collapse, the land split into North and South, both holding resentment toward one another. This review was done on PC, though the game is also releasing on the Nintendo Switch.
The story follows Trey, who wakes up with no memories after being found by Ales. From there, the adventure slowly unfolds as Trey explores Talea, meets quirky characters and uncovers the truth about his past while building bonds between different Animon.
Honestly, the game reminded me of Pokémon in a lot of ways, both visually and mechanically, but I genuinely enjoyed it for what it was. The whole ‘Animon’ naming definitely sounds like a mix between animals and Pokémon, but I did not mind that at all, as the designs of the Animon were unique and stood out. What surprised me most was how much effort was put into the narrative and quests because a lot of monster-collecting RPGs on PC tend to feel empty outside of battling. Here, the world actually feels alive and worth exploring. The quest system especially keeps the game engaging and gives you proper reasons to interact with NPCs while learning more about Talea and what it means to become a Lumen.
Gameplay revolves around exploring the world, collecting Animon, battling, crafting and completing quests. Early on, you are given a Holoken, which lets you interact with and capture Animon similar to how Poké Balls work. However, the Holoken also acts like a yo-yo tool that can be used to break crates but also attack wild Animon. Choosing your starter is honestly adorable, especially because there are five different Animon to choose from. The little personality test at the beginning was also a really fun touch, and I feel that based on that, you were suggested a colour as a result. Mine gave me the colour purple, which honestly suited me perfectly, and Salabel quickly became one of my favourites. However, Salabel did kind of remind me of Sabeleye in a quirky way.
Battles are turn-based and work through a cycle system where each Animon has different attacks and abilities. The combat feels smooth and strategic without being overly complicated. I really liked how dynamic the battle animations were, with the Animon physically moving during attacks instead of just standing still. The sprite’s work during combat is genuinely adorable and full of personality. One of the best mechanics is the information and scanning system. Scanning Animon gives you access to details about their elemental types, weaknesses, and strengths, making battles feel more strategic. Normally, I never really enjoy memorising elemental matchups in monster-collecting games, so having a built-in system that helps guide you was honestly really helpful.
The game also introduces mechanics really naturally. Tutorials, pop-up explanations, and new systems are introduced gradually, making everything easy to understand without overwhelming the player. There is definitely grinding involved, especially when trying to level your team enough to take on stronger enemies. Some Animon battles can be quite challenging early on, like the Toxigall encounter, which required stronger levels than what I initially had. Still, I honestly did not mind grinding because the battles stayed engaging throughout. The only mechanic I genuinely disliked was the timing mini-game when catching Animon. Using the mouse to aim the Ballia felt fine, but switching to timing arrow-key prompts afterwards always felt awkward and led to me wasting catches way too often.
The controls overall felt smooth and responsive. Keyboard and mouse gameplay worked really well, and I never experienced major delays or issues during exploration or combat. Menus are easy to navigate, tutorials explain mechanics properly, and the pacing of learning new systems feels natural.
Visually, this game stood out so much; it is beautiful. The mix between pixelated sprites, drawn landscapes, and expressive character portraits creates such a unique art style. The character portraits, especially, are filled with so much personality, and I loved the exaggerated expressions and old-school RPG symbols for emotion and reactions. The world itself is packed with colour and detail, making every area feel lively and full of charm. Even the camera movement while exploring feels smooth and cinematic at times. Cutscenes are surprisingly well done too, especially with the screen shake effects and transitions that help build tension during emotional or dramatic moments.
The soundtrack was another highlight for me. It feels adventurous and almost Nordic-inspired at times, and I actually caught myself humming along while playing, which rarely happens for me in games. Battle themes are energetic and exciting, while environmental music helps bring each area to life. Sound effects during attacks and interactions also feel satisfying and impactful. The only downside is that some tracks can become a little repetitive after longer sessions.
There are so many aspects of the game that are very enjoyable, and it makes playing this RPG feel even more composed and put together. The only issue I see with it is that the game feels a bit grindy at times. Like when I was on the main objective and was encountering the second ‘boss’, and my Animons felt too underleveled. This game requires some getting used to, especially when it comes to strategic plays and attacks, but that’s what makes it enjoyable and worth your time. You get to familiarise yourself with this new array of Animons that are unique from one another. Some of their designs are honestly so dope, and it makes the battle sequences so much more thrilling. I mean, lost Animons almost act like shiny Pokemons, so you can run loose, tryna collect as many as possible. I especially love the different design changes in aesthetics between a normal Animon and a lost Animon.
This game offers several combinations, especially with attributes and various species, which gives players so much to work with. Interestingly enough, the game also allows you to change the stats of your Animons to create better team synergies. The 4v4 battle systems speak for themselves, and being able to create the best team is worth taking the time to perfect. What’s even better is that this game features multiplayer and online PvP, which allows you to battle real-time people and trade with others.
Now, if you want to play a captivating monster-collecting RPG with a mix of stunning visuals, expressive characters and an immersive soundtrack, then Lumental: Memories of Trey is definitely for you. From exploring the vibrant world of Talea to building your perfect team of Animon and uncovering Trey’s lost memories, the game is packed with charm, strategy, and heart. Whether you enjoy turn-based battles, engaging quests or simply getting lost in a beautifully crafted world, this game delivers a really enjoyable experience. Make sure to check it out, because Lumentale: Memories of Trey is loads of fun and incredibly aesthetically pleasing!
Overall: 9/10
This is S & S. We are world game explorers. We play games. We have played over 10,000+ games! We travel, we write reviews AND we play more games!!!!
