Coridden – Fun Action RPG with Transformation Mechanics

If you enjoy independent indie game coverage, consider supporting Indie-Games.eu on Patreon. It helps keep the site independent.

• Developer: Aftnareld
• Publisher: Anshar Publishing
• Platforms: PC
• Genre: Action RPG / Co-Op
• Release Date: January 29, 2025
• Initial Price: 19.50€
• Reviewed Version: PC

Coridden is an Action RPG developed by Aftnareld that attempts to stand out in the crowded genre with its unique transformation mechanic and co-operative gameplay. The action takes place in the world of Aasha, where you take on the role of one of four siblings gifted with magical gauntlets that allow them to transform into powerful creatures. The game combines exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving, with a strong emphasis on multiplayer. While Coridden introduces several interesting ideas, it unfortunately struggles with issues like poor pacing, repetitive gameplay, and a lack of depth in the solo experience.

The story in Coridden is simple: your transformation gauntlets are damaged, and your task is to fix them while protecting your family and exploring the world. The plot solidly sets the stage for an adventure but is neither particularly deep nor memorable. Mostly, you will likely find yourself skipping dialogues because they are not especially interesting. Also, although the siblings are supposed to have different personalities, this is not felt in the game. The dialogue options feel generic, and there is almost no difference between the characters in their approach to missions or interactions with the environment.

Exploration in Coridden is Fun, But Combat Quickly Becomes Repetitive

Honestly, the exploration part of the game in Coridden is quite fun. The game world is divided into linear and open zones, although exploration is somewhat limited by the fixed isometric camera. This camera angle reduces the field of view, making it difficult to spot enemies or interactive objects. Still, the game excels with a large amount of additional content: numerous side quests, caves filled with unique monsters and loot, and various characters you can interact with.

Every new town or location introduces a multitude of NPCs who offer quests, and the money you earn can be used to buy and sell items. The side quests are well-integrated into the main story, so they fit naturally into the flow of the game and do not force you to choose between advancing the main plot or exploring extra content. This balance makes the experience truly enjoyable.

The combat is simple but quickly becomes repetitive. You have a basic attack, a few abilities, and a ranged attack at your disposal. There is no combo system or advanced combat mechanics, so conflicts often boil down to mindless button mashing. Some variety is introduced by the choice of weapons like swords, axes, and bows and arrows, but the differences between them are minimal and hard to notice in practice.

The transformation mechanic, however, adds a bit of freshness, as each beast you can transform into has its own abilities and playstyle. Besides constantly attacking, you can dodge enemies, maneuver around them, and try to outplay them tactically. I used the bow for most of the gameplay, which proved to be quite frustrating. The energy bar is depleted too quickly, and you are often overwhelmed by numerous enemies attacking simultaneously, making the combat feel chaotic.

Solo Play is Challenging, While Co-op Brings the Real Experience

That’s why running aimlessly around the map can sometimes make sense; you don’t spend energy while running, only when using weapons or abilities. Speaking of abilities, they were quite useful and often dealt more damage than standard attacks. I especially liked the poison and electricity, and it’s great that you can customize your transformation with these elements and change them as desired.

Regarding skills, you can use multiple ones simultaneously, but their activation feels slow. Even when you press the button, you have to stop what you are doing, wait a moment, and then activate them, which only disrupts the combat rhythm. There are also various attributes to upgrade, such as strength, energy, and health. Energy particularly stands out as crucial, as it often decides between life and death, making it feel like you are forced to prioritize it over other upgrades. I wish the balance between these attributes was adjusted a bit better.

However, this is the perspective of a solo player, and the game is noticeably more difficult when played alone. Coridden is clearly designed for co-op gameplay, where it truly shines. The learning curve is set smoothly, the game’s pace is not too fast, and exploring the world becomes more enjoyable. Combat, especially against larger “bosses,” feels much easier and less frustrating in co-op mode compared to solo play.

Transformation into Creatures is Coridden’s Strongest Asset

The transformation into different creatures is Coridden’s main feature. Each animal form has its own durability bar, which means it is useful to switch between human and beast forms during fights. The creatures are also faster, making world traversal easier. The most fun aspect of the transformations is the multiplayer feature: you can ride on the backs of your friends’ beasts and fight together. You can also utilize various wild creatures that randomly appear on the map, which adds an extra layer of fun to the game.

The need for frequent item swapping can somewhat disrupt the flow of gameplay. While this is not necessarily a bad thing because you are constantly progressing and getting stronger, it can be frustrating when you just upgrade a transformation to a solid level, only to have to replace it because it is four levels weaker than the next enemy. True, you might find the same transformation later in the game, but that depends on the drop rate and luck, which is an unreliable option. The same applies to weapons, but the fact that the game encourages switching between human and beast forms makes it easier to adapt to this system.

The game’s biggest problem, and the reason why it becomes repetitive over time, is the lack of enemy variety. Throughout the entire game, only a few enemy types are constantly repeated, and most of them are introduced in the first open zones. While entering a monster lair or fighting a larger enemy is exciting at first, the lack of real consequences for death reduces the sense of tension. When you die, you simply respawn at the nearest checkpoint or in a cave, which removes a large part of the challenge and tension.

Final Thoughts

The puzzles in Coridden are not particularly difficult to figure out. They are mostly environmental, such as connecting a railway track or breaking down a wall using a creature, which adds an interesting layer of gameplay that remains consistent throughout the experience. While not challenging, they introduce a dose of variety and charm. Visually, Coridden looks great. The environments are beautifully designed, with lush landscapes and impressive water effects that bring the world of Aasha to life. The animations, including the transformations, are smooth and fluid, although occasional visual glitches occurred that did not significantly affect the gameplay.

In conclusion, the fixed camera, repetitive combat, and shallow story make it difficult to recommend the game to solo players. Although the environments are beautiful and the multiplayer elements add fun, Coridden seems to be missing something that would truly make it stand out in the RPG genre.

If you are looking for a light co-op game to play with friends, Coridden is worth your time. However, for solo players or those seeking a deeper RPG experience, it’s hard to justify choosing this game over a more polished title. With certain improvements to the mechanics and pace of the game, Coridden could become even better, but in its current form, it is a fun adventure that is best experienced in company.

Review copy provided by the publisher