I was surprised to find there was a new Miraculous game. One that released last year. As much as I wanted to love 2023’s Rise of the Sphinx, performance issues affected my overall feelings toward it. So, with a new developer taking the reins for Paris Under Siege, can this second Miraculous game provide a great experience? Well, Petit Fabrik have certainly won me over.
The story keeps things simple. There’s an exhibition happening to celebrate the ancient Egyptian goddess Aset. As part of that exhibition is a jewelled necklace that contains four amulets. Before the exhibition opens, a disturbance nearby brings Marinette to call on the power of Ladybug to put a stop to it. Only to find the necklace taken by akumatized villain Stormy Weather. And she’s not alone.
Alya, Nino, Luka, and Zoé have all been akumatized, and a magical storm summoned by Stormy Weather is now affecting the lives of Parisians. All four friends have been given one of the magical amulets, amplifying their powers. Together, Ladybug and Cat Noir work together to stop all the villains causing havoc around Paris. Though, unless you’re playing in co-op, the most you’ll see of that is in the few cutscenes the game has.
In terms of gameplay, things have been somewhat changed from Rise of the Sphinx. Both Ladybug and Cat Noir have a standard attack, ranged special attack, and charged area of effect attack. Though there is no ability to chain them smoothly together. Every ability, such as air dashing after a jump, is available from the off, with no need to be unlocking special moves via the experience orbs that are collected.
Those experience orbs are scattered around levels, acting pretty much as a guide through them, and dropped from defeated enemies. To make sure you can’t just superpower one particular stat, such as damage, one of the villains needs defeating before the next tier is accessible. Though there are more villains than tiers, giving plenty of opportunity to fully power up before the final boss.
Paris Under Siege gives a bit of choice in how you progress through it. After the first encounter with Stormy Weather, the villains of Lady Wifi, Truth, Sole Crusher, and The Bubbler can be fought in whatever order you wish. Progressing through their set of three levels, encountering that villain at the end of the third. It’s a nice bit of freedom in an otherwise linear game.
When a friend is rescued from akumatization, they then become available to help fight in battles using their Miraculous powers. While they’ll only perform one special attack before leaping away from the fray again, they are useful if you find yourself getting overwhelmed. Or would be, if you weren’t leaving yourself open to attack when calling them. Since the game pulls up a radial wheel without pausing or even slowing the action, it pays to know who is where so that choice is made quick.
Some might think this an easy game. And they’d be right. I hadn’t lost all my health once in my play of Paris Under Siege. A few close calls at the start when experimenting with the combat, but never a full-on fail. The game is generous in providing health boosts in the form of food. Whether through vending machines around the level, or dropped from defeated enemies. Even bosses after chipping away a certain amount of their health.
But despite how easy it might seem, Paris Under Siege is a fun time. It’s a Miraculous game I am happy to replay. The action is so smooth, with no frame rate stuttering at all. The characters are fully voiced and true to themselves, though again it lacks in the banter between Ladybug and Cat Noir during levels. And I also love the battle theme, even if it is jarring when it starts playing only to cut out after a few seconds when the single enemy encountered has been defeated.
Miraculous: Paris Under Siege is a lovely representation of the Miraculous series. Aside from some visual weakness showing in levels and cutscenes, there really isn’t anything negative I found. Well, aside from the fact the Deluxe Edition is an extra £10 just for the season six outfits. Which admittedly do look good. So, with some smooth action across both the platforming and combat challenges, Miraculous: Paris Under Siege is an easy recommendation from me. Just… maybe wait for a sale if you really want the season six look.
Images Taken From:
Miraculous: Paris Under Siege | Xbox Series S
