Adapting a beloved webcomic into a video game is a risky business. All too often, we see soulless cash-ins that miss the spirit of their source material, leaving fans cold and newcomers confused. But Maliki: Poison of the Past, from indie studio Blue Banshee and publisher Ankama Games, confidently sidesteps that pitfall. This is a tactical RPG that doesn’t just capture the quirky, heartfelt charm of Maliki’s world-it expands on it with surprising mechanical depth, memorable writing, and a visual flair that’s hard to resist. Although a handful of technical hiccups and UI frustrations hold it back from greatness, Maliki’s time-bending adventure is a cozy, clever delight that stands out in the RPG crowd.
If you’ve followed Maliki’s long-running webcomic, you know it’s equal parts wit, whimsy, and introspection. Translating that into a turn-based RPG-with all the genre’s expectations for combat depth, exploration, and progression—was always going to be a tall order. Blue Banshee rises to the challenge by blending genre staples with unique twists: time-manipulation in battle, environmental puzzles tied to party member abilities, and a cozy hub you’ll nurture across your journey. The result is a game that’s instantly accessible, but layered enough to engage even seasoned genre fans. Even if you’ve never read a page of the comic, there’s plenty here to draw you in.
At its core, Maliki: Poison of the Past is a turn-based tactical RPG. You’ll assemble a party of quirky heroes, each with their own combat specialty—damage (DPS), healing, crowd control—and a set of signature attacks. What really sets the game apart is its timeline manipulation mechanic. Using a special gauge, you can reorder turns on a visible timeline, setting up devastating combos or dodging disaster at the last second. In routine fights, this power sometimes feels superfluous (the tried-and-true “hit hard, hit fast” approach usually works), but against bosses or multi-phase threats, timeline control becomes a fascinating puzzle in its own right.
Exploration is more than just filler between battles—each area is packed with environmental puzzles that make clever use of your team. Sand can manipulate objects locked in time, Fang hacks tech, Becky gardens, and Fénimale interacts with flora in unique ways. These abilities drive a pleasantly varied loop: you’ll solve puzzles to open shortcuts, uncover secrets, or progress the story, keeping both your brain and your thumbs engaged.
The hub area, the Domaine, is your home base. Here, you’ll garden, cook, and interact with your companions. Feeding the magical Tree with “naturons” (earned through play) gradually unlocks new features and story beats. While gardening and cooking are charming diversions, their impact on the core adventure feels a touch undercooked. Gardening mechanics in particular suffer from imprecise controls, sometimes making a relaxing activity more fiddly than it should be. Still, these cozy elements add welcome warmth and depth to the game’s rhythm.
No RPG launches without a few snags, and Maliki is no exception. The absence of a minimap or objective markers turns some areas—especially labyrinthine towns—into exercises in frustration, as you backtrack and guess your way forward. Occasional bugs, like characters getting stuck or unable to interact with objects, break immersion and may force a reload. These are ultimately minor blemishes, but they are noticeable when the rest of the game strives for such fluidity and accessibility.
Maliki’s visual identity is a triumph. Characters are rendered in 3D chibi models that brim with personality, seamlessly transitioning to beautifully illustrated 2D portraits during dialogue. This isn’t just fan service—it’s an effective way to convey emotion, humor, and story beats. Sand, Becky, Fang, and Fénimale each have a distinctive presence, both visually and through snappy, well-written banter. Even without full voice acting, the writing’s comedic timing and warmth shine through.
The story avoids the trap of empty nostalgia. Instead, it spins a rich narrative about memory, identity, and fighting to preserve one’s past. The antagonist, Poison—a sinister vegetal entity—raises the stakes with threats that are both cosmic and personal. Time travel isn’t just a gameplay gimmick; it’s woven into the plot, allowing for poignant exploration of Maliki’s origins and destiny. Fans will appreciate the deeper lore, but newcomers won’t feel left behind.
Music cements the mood: gentle ambient tracks for exploration, pulse-raising themes for combat, and surprising splashes of nu-metal and electronica in futuristic segments. The overall effect is an inviting, ever-shifting soundscape, though some tracks risk overstaying their welcome if you linger too long in one spot.
While Maliki: Poison of the Past borrows liberally from genre conventions—think tactical combat à la Disgaea or Child of Light, and hub building reminiscent of Atelier titles—its identity is refreshingly unique. The timeline gimmick, cozy domestic systems, and sincere, sharply-written story combine to create something more than the sum of its parts. It doesn’t boast the mechanical depth or polish of AAA tactical juggernauts, nor does it rival the production values of studio blockbusters, but it excels in warmth, humor, and personality. For indie RPG fans tired of formula, this one’s a real gem.
Maliki: Poison of the Past delivers an experience that’s as cozy as it is clever, as humorous as it is heartfelt. Its inventive mechanics—especially the timeline manipulation—shine brightest in boss battles, while its endearing cast and sharp writing keep you invested from start to finish. Occasional bugs and navigation headaches do mar the journey, but they’re far outweighed by the game’s charm, sincerity, and creativity. Whether you’re a long-time Maliki fan or a newcomer hungry for something different in the tactical RPG space, this is a time-hopping adventure worth taking.
Maliki: Poison of the Past is a unique tactical RPG that blends inventive time-manipulation combat, cozy hub management, and a heartfelt, witty story in a vibrant chibi world. While navigation issues and minor bugs are present, the game’s charm, strategic depth, and sense of fun make it stand out for fans of both the webcomic and indie RPGs alike.
Source: publisher