Attack the Light - Steven Universe Light RPG Review

I barely have a concept of who or what Steven Universe is. Prior to booting up Attack the Light - Steven Universe Light RPG, I didn't know there was even a TV show called Steven Universe. The great thing about this is that Attack the Light doesn't trade off of people's knowledge of the show's lore or characters. Instead, it's jam-packed with fantastic animation, charming voice acting, a smart combat system, and streamlined traversal - all of which make it a nearly ideal RPG experience for mobile.

The easiest way to describe Attack the Light is as a more casual RPG like Paper Mario or the Mario & Luigi games on Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. Instead of big numbers, tons of gear, complicated systems, and grinding, Attack the Light opts to focus on having a cast of charming and funny characters, a timing-based combat system, swipe-based movement, a streamlined gear system, and dungeons that are segmented out like levels in Angry Birds. The result is an rpg that has a surprising amount of entertainment value and depth, but is very easy to pick up and play.

Although the game centers around characters from the Steven Universe TV show, Attack the Light has a fairly straightforward story and enough dialogue so that players that are completely unaware of the show's mythology can easily understand what's going on. As a game based on an existing set of characters, each party member feels fully realized in a way that isn't usually achieved in mobile titles. That being said, Attack the Light does struggle to come up with inspired enemy designs, but this is small potatoes compared to the high quality of everything else.

There's very little not to like in Attack the Light. The game is gorgeously animated with bright colors, has secrets hidden away in every level, contains challenge areas for players to test their mettle, uses variety of different environments, contains unlockable special abilities, and more. For those that actively dislike Steven Universe or otherwise don't like the more streamlined nature of Mario & Luigi-type RPGs, this game may not be for them. Otherwise, Attack the Light is one of the best mobile RPGs out there.