I went into Maliki: Poison of the Past not quite knowing what to expect. It’s an adventure RPG with turn-based combat and a unique time-travel mechanic, which immediately caught my interest. The Chrono Trigger memories came flooding in. After playing the demo, I can say that this game has a lot of potential. It blends strategic combat, puzzle solving, and an engaging story all wrapped up in a stylish animated world
This game takes place in the future, where humanity is on the brink of extinction due to a mysterious plant-based monster. You play as Sand, a character who joins Maliki and her ragtag team in a hidden sanctuary called the Domaine, a place that exists outside of time itself. From here, the team sets out on missions across different eras, trying to fix the broken timeline and stop Poison’s rise.
The time travel concept isn’t just a gimmick; it’s woven into both the story and gameplay in a way that makes exploration feel meaningful. There is a real sense of mystery, and even in the short demo you can tell there is a deeper story waiting to be uncovered.
The gameplay is split between exploration, time-based puzzles, and turn-based combat. As Sand, you can use a Chrono Pack to manipulate time, solving puzzles to progress through different areas. These puzzles aren’t too difficult in the demo, but they do a good job of introducing how time travel will be used throughout the game.
The demo isn’t too long, about 45 minutes, but it gives you a solid introduction to the mechanics, story, and characters. You get through the tutorial, explore a bit of Chapter 1, and take on your first boss fight, which is a fun but challenging encounter that forces you to think rather than just spam attacks.
The game has a vibrant animated look with detailed environments and expressive character designs. There is a lot of personality in the way characters move and interact, which makes them feel more alive than your typical turn-based RPGs. The soundtrack is solid as well, fitting the tone of each moment, whether it’s calm exploration or intense combat. Sound effects and dialogue interactions also help bring the world to life.
INITIAL IMPRESSION
Even though the demo is short, it does a great job of setting up the world, introducing mechanics, and making you curious about what’s going to happen next. The mix of time-based puzzles, strategy-driven combat, and a compelling story makes Maliki: Poison of the Past feel fresh and engaging. If the full game builds on what’s shown here, it could end up being a hidden gem for fans of story-driven RPGs. If you like turn-based combat, time-travel mechanics, and quirky, well-developed characters, this is a game to watch out for.