The duke’s daughter Aurora is dead… and yet, she lives. Join Aurora across the mysterious kingdom of Lemuria on her quest to return home. Helped by Igniculus the firefly, Finn the Capilli and many more, she must defeat the Queen of the Night who has stolen the sun, the moon and the stars.
Child of Light is described as a 2D adventure role-playing game, with systems in place that are reminiscent of past games in the RPG genre, like an Active Time Battle system. In addition to that, the game has a co-op element, with Igniculus the firefly. It also does away with some of the genre's staples, such as no money system, no shops and no traditional equipment.
Exploration
At the beginning of the game, Aurora is able to walk left and right, as well as jump, allowing her to traverse the environment. A little later into the game, Aurora gains the ability to fly, meaning she will be able to go anywhere without worrying about downtime. Aurora's companion, Igniculus the blue firefly, is able to be controlled separately and is not restricted to walls, as he can go through them.
Igniculus
Igniculus is the blue firefly that Aurora meets at the beginning of the game, and can be controlled separately from Aurora, as well as by a second player. Most of Igniculus' actions are restricted to a meter underneath Aurora's HP/MP counter in the top left corner of the screen. Whenever you use Igniculus, this meter will gradually start emptying. This meter, called the Wish Meter, can be replenished by collecting the orbs from the various plants seen often.
Igniculus has a few basic functions, all supporting Aurora, that can be used inside and outside of battle. First, by holding the button over a character (Aurora only outside of battle), he can replenish some HP of that character every few seconds. He can also open up some treasure chests, although some cannot be opened by him.
Besides the above actions, holding down the button for Igniculus allows him to illuminate dark areas, making it easier to see any enemies or treasures. Additionally, by holding the button over an enemy, the foe will be stunned, allowing Aurora safe passage or to get a surprise attack on that enemy.
Battle System
The game uses a system where you see enemies on the field and coming into contact with them will initiate a battle. If the player hits the enemy from behind, then they get a Surprise Attack, meaning the player gets a free attack on the enemy. Likewise, this holds true to the enemy as well, who can ambush you and score some "free" attacks on you.
As for the battles themselves, the game uses an Active Time Battle system similar to some Final Fantasy titles, as well as using some components similar to Grandia II. At the bottom of the screen is a bar, separated into a Wait section (blue-grayish in color) and a Cast section (red), with a line separating them. This dictates the turn order and whenever a character/enemy reaches that white line, they get to choose an action to perform (time stops while choosing).
Every action in the game, from attacking, defending and even using items has a speed attached to it. For example, defending is instant, meaning that upon choosing Defend, you automatically perform it. Aurora's basic attack, on the other hand, has a medium cast time, meaning her portrait must reach the end of the Cast section for it to perform.
However, there is another system in place that allows enemies and players to further enhance the battle. If you are attacked while your character portrait is in the Cast section, then your action will be interrupted and you'll be sent back to the Wait section. The same holds true for enemies as well, as you can interrupt their actions as well.
Igniculus in Battle
As with outside of combat, Igniculus has abilities he can use during battle as well, which can still be freely done outside of the traditional movements of the other combatants. He still has the same healing ability when you hover over one of your characters and hold the one button down, but it's his other ability that is slightly different.
When hovering over an enemy and holding his button, instead of just blinding the enemy like he does outside of battle, Igniculus will slow down the enemy instead. This enables the player to possible get an action in on an enemy before they can, as well as possibly interrupting them. Note that the Wish Meter extends to battles as well, although the plants that release orbs that replenish it can be found during combat.
Skills
Aurora, as well as all party members that can join her, earn experience points upon successfully completing a battle. Once enough are earned, they can level up, which grants them extra stats, as well as giving them 1 Skill Point. Each character has access to a skill tree that is separately into three linear paths. Some of these skills are passive, while others grant new abilities to use in battle.
Oculi
Throughout Aurora's journey, the player is sure to find items called Oculi. These are gems that can be equipped to one of three possible slots on any character, granting them buffs such as adding fire to their attacks or a bonus to experience gained at the end of battles.
Also, the player can craft new Oculi by using the ones they already have in their inventory. This allows the player to upgrade to stronger forms of ones they already had, as well as completely different kinds.
