Official Review PlayStation Vita

htoL#NiQ: The Firefly Diary (PlayStation Vita)
Official GBAtemp Review

Name: htoL#NiQ: The Firefly Diary
Item: htoL#NiQ: The Firefly Diary
Rating: 5.5
Author: Tom Bombadildo

Product Information:

Release Date (NA): February 24, 2015
Release Date (EU): March 4, 2015
Release Date (JP): June 19, 2014
Publisher: Nippon Ichi Software
Developer: Nippon Ichi Software
Genres: Puzzle, Platformer

Game Features:

Single player

Local Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Co-operative

htoL#NiQ: The FireFly Diary is a new puzzle platformer game released by Nippon Ichi Software, and is unique in the sense that the game uses all touchscreen and rear touchpad controls.

attachFull16004

A game that fully uses the rear touchpad?? No way!

Yes way, htoL#NiQ does indeed use touch controls on both the front touchscreen and the rear touchpad, something few Vita games fully take advantage of. The gameplay of htoL#NiQ is a unique combination of puzzle platforming, using two fairies, one that's comprised of light and the other made up of shadows, to control the main character, Mion. Using your two fairies, you go through various puzzles in the world in order to collect memories for Mion. These little flashback periods are, luckily, the saving grace of htoL#NiQ. Without spoiling too much, I will only say that sticking with the game and dealing with it's flaky controls will give you an immense feeling of satisfaction at the ending.

Speaking of flaky controls...

Wow. The touchscreen and rear touch pad controls are overwhelmingly slow, and in general, quite imprecise to the point that you'll rage quit many times. Mion as a character is mind-numbingly slow, moving at such a snail pace that some obstacles and traps such as falling boxes or hydraulic presses will simply kill you outright if you don't have absolute perfect timing. If you pick up this game, prepare to memorize most of the levels and spend an outrageous amount of time on simple puzzles that will kill you because Mion took too long on a ladder, or because Mion couldn't outrun an equally slow monster. In the western release of the game, Nippon includes analog controls as well... which are equally as bad, if not worse than the touch controls.

The main problems with the controls, in my opinion, is the fact that instead of controlling the character directly, as you would in any other puzzle platformer, you're using a third party force that guides the main character along. While this is indeed an interesting way to go about the game, it also has it's problems, leading to accidental overshots or undershots with Mion, problems activating certain mechanics like levers or ladders, and sluggish responses to traps that require reflex movement.

At least the game looks and sounds nice.

The art style used by Nippon in htoL#NiQ is gorgeous and very fitting to the game. The backgrounds are visually pleasing, the memory sequences are interesting to play and offer various different visual effects. Mion is an adorable little character, and the soundtrack throughout the game (when it plays, I found music would occasionally stop if you take too long on a puzzle) matches the environments quite well.

Verdict

What We Liked ...

Interesting and great looking art style
Unique control scheme in theory
Interesting story

What We Didn't Like ...

Sluggish Controls
Slow gameplay
Poor control scheme in practice

Gameplay

...unfortunately, the overall gameplay and controls are so horrid and slow you will instantly regret investing any time in the game.

Presentation

htoL#NiQ starts off with a good impression, introducing the controls and the characters in a way that guarantees you'll want to continue playing htoL#NiQ...

Lasting Appeal

After having to repeat multiple puzzles various times, I quickly became sick of playing the game the first time around, and as (AFAIK) the game doesn't feature multiple outcomes, the lasting appeal just isn't there.

5.5

out of 10

Overall

htoL#NiQ is a good looking game with good intentions and unique ideas... but they're so poorly implemented that I had to force myself to push through the sludge of the game and reach the end. If you're looking for an enjoyable puzzle platformer, don't start here.

Reactions: evening, GameWinner, Ryukouki and 1 other person

That's a bummer
I was kinda looking forward to this game.
Maybe I'll get it when it's super cheap or I'll be lucky to get it on PS+

Looks like I'm skipping this week.

E evening
Feb 24, 2015

Too bad, it looks gorgeous though. I'm glad that I read your review before picking it up. I'll try it if it ever comes out on PS+.

BORTZ
Feb 24, 2015

Oh man, what a letdown. I was totally up for some colorful Limbo.

I pre ordered the limited edition package. It was cheap so no regrets there. The controls are pretty horrendous but I really enjoy the game over all so I'm glad I got it. I think the reviews of this game have been too harsh.

Reviews

Hardware
MelGeek CYBER01 Magnetic Switch Rapid Trigger Gaming Keyboard

Today for review, we’ll be taking a look at the latest gaming keyboard from Meltek, the CYBER01 magnetic switch offering!
Hardware
GEEKOM XT12 Pro Mini PC

Claimed to be the world's most cost-effecient i9 Mini PC, we check out the latest from Geekom.
Hardware
Kospet Tank T3 Ultra

Tough enough to navigate and conquer the rugged wilderness.
PlayStation 5
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants

The Turtles are back for their umpteenth game outing, but is this one worth it?
PlayStation 5
Alone in the Dark (2024)

Alone in the Dark is a Survival Horror game available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X and PC.

More reviews

Product Information:

Game Features:

A game that fully uses the rear touchpad?? No way!

Speaking of flaky controls...

At least the game looks and sounds nice.

Verdict

Overall

MelGeek CYBER01 Magnetic Switch Rapid Trigger Gaming Keyboard

GEEKOM XT12 Pro Mini PC

Kospet Tank T3 Ultra

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants

Alone in the Dark (2024)