Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 26
  2. Negative: 1 out of 26
  1. Mar 3, 2015
    90
    Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines is a masterful retooling of JRPGs before it, and only a handful of problems hold back an otherwise excellent tale of family, honor, and reclaiming what was lost.
  2. Mar 23, 2015
    86
    It seemed like ages when Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines was first announced and the wait was worth it. At a budget price, Oreshika delivers full price gameplay, graphics, and story which is more than I can say for other titles out there.
  3. Mar 3, 2015
    85
    Despite the fact most of us will never have played the game it's a sequel to, the quality of Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines shines through its gorgeous visuals and deep mechanics. Come to think of it, there's no more fitting way for a game that's about leaving a worthwhile legacy to conduct itself.
  4. Apr 20, 2015
    80
    A very unique JRPG experience, with a classical but solid combat system and some truly original features.
  5. Mar 27, 2015
    80
    Very complex and surprising game - Japanese RPGs on PlayStation Vita are in good shape.
  6. Mar 24, 2015
    80
    Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines is a strange, captivating experience unlike any other RPG. Its plot is bizarre and tinged with dark humor, delving deeper into Japanese mythology than just about any game on the market.
  7. Mar 23, 2015
    80
    Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines is a fun and deep JRPG with loads and loads of content. Add to that fantastic music and graphics, a cool setting and over a hundred hours of gameplay. If only the story was a little more interesting.
  8. Mar 22, 2015
    80
    Impatient gamers will find Oreshika demanding and frustrating, but if you frequently still play our Vita, chances are that this is exactly the kind of game you bought it for. Don't let it slip under your radar.
  9. Mar 17, 2015
    80
    Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines is an original turn-based J-RPG with a very special graphics inspired in the traditional Japanese art. A dungeon crawler that tries to be different from any other.. and succeeds.
  10. Mar 14, 2015
    80
    An interesting proposal centered on satisfying RPG fans, which will feel like being at home with everything Oreshika has to offer.
  11. Mar 12, 2015
    80
    A complex dungeon crawler wrapped in an utterly gorgeous package.
  12. 80
    An RPG that tries to be different from any other. Those who enjoy games with lots of customization and breeding will have a lot of fun. The downside is there is little to do with your super children that stops it from being an instant classic.
  13. Mar 10, 2015
    80
    Although it's not the best of its genre, Oreshika delivers a great amount of fun and a handful of reasons to expend more than 100 hours hunting demons and building a new name for our Clan. A nice game for fans of the genre.
  14. Mar 10, 2015
    80
    This game offers a deep RPG/dungeon crawler experience that adapts to the player. It isn't perfect, but it is a nice surprise for the PSVita.
  15. 80
    The Vita has, much like the PSP before it, become a great home to offbeat JRPG experiences. Oreshika expertly blends a simulation experience with JRPG elements to create an entertaining experience with a few rough edges around the exploration and storyline. It has a unique flavour worth investing time into.
  16. Mar 3, 2015
    80
    Though Oreshika isn't the first to try and make an old-school RPG feel new or to make customizable characters feel like a family affair--Fire Emblem: Awakening tried something similar on a smaller scale, for example--it does feel like the first to completely bet the farm on that idea and succeed.
  17. Mar 23, 2015
    78
    Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines is a interesting turn-based jRPG with some gestional elements and a fascinating graphics. The gameplay is a little repetitive like most dungeon crawler.
  18. Mar 19, 2015
    77
    Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines is a beautiful JRPG with a few interesting twists to the genre. The fighting system works great and building up your own clan while having the pressure of time makes it more interesting. Although that time pressure does come with some old-fashioned frustration.
  19. 76
    This is a hardcore strategic and time-management RPG that requires you to stick around for the long haul. Players will either feel compelled to do just that or will want to bail after a few generations.
  20. Mar 20, 2015
    75
    A solid dungeon-crawling RPG with enough inventiveness to keep you entertained for a fair while.
  21. Mar 19, 2015
    75
    Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines is a nice twist to the conventional JRPG by adding base building. The artistic beauty is enjoyable but the pacing disturbs the streamlined gameplay by making up random dungeons.
  22. Mar 12, 2015
    75
    It might appear as a classic J-style dungeon crawler, but there's much more than that. Some gameplay mechanics are really original, and that, combined with the competitive price and the replayability, make for an experience worth considering.
  23. Mar 26, 2015
    70
    The only aspect that really failed to shine was the labyrinth gameplay. The fast-paced combat and progression systems are fun to toy with but eventually grow stale as you’re forced to run laps around the same areas over and over.
  24. Mar 10, 2015
    70
    Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines' story could have done more with its fascinating premise, but the real meat of this experience comes in the form of its constant and dynamic gameplay systems, which allow for a superb sense of progression.
  25. Mar 11, 2015
    68
    Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines is an easy to play game that challenges you to break your family's curse. With average combat mechanics and an interesting visual style, it arrives to us with Spanish subtitles.
  26. 45
    There is never a sense of accomplishment associated with any part of your journey. The entirety of your time spent in this game will be like watching paint dry on a fence.
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Mar 12, 2015
    10
    Incredibly addictive, if slightly grindy. I think I'm probably more tolerant than some may be of the grinding, as I played the bulk of theIncredibly addictive, if slightly grindy. I think I'm probably more tolerant than some may be of the grinding, as I played the bulk of the JRPG's during the 90's and early 00's during which the were more prevalent.

    The basic idea is that your clan has been cursed to a short life span, and can no longer have children with other mortals. To get revenge on those that cursed you, and break the curse, you need to take your clan to war with the daemons that inhabit various dungeons in order to gain enough favour with the gods, so that you can breed with them.
    This is the part that gets addictive. Your clan members have 12 stats, these are dictated by the parents. To enhance your blood line you have to selectively breed between the two, hoping for the best, especially when recessive genes can throw a spanner in the works.
    Im about 50 hours in and still playing, it is well worth the low price that its being sold for.
    Full Review »
  2. Apr 20, 2015
    8
    I dont usually play JRGS, but at PSV i can do it, and this game is very cool, pretty nice story as always have some interest moments, gameplayI dont usually play JRGS, but at PSV i can do it, and this game is very cool, pretty nice story as always have some interest moments, gameplay is ok too, so 8/10 Full Review »