'Chasing Kaleido Rider,' a new subculture collectible RPG from Tencent's Fizgly Studio, was showcased at ChinaJoy via the 4399 booth, following its global test on the 16th.

It has been a decade since the subculture boom began in Mainland China; in today's market, a game must either offer overwhelming quality or a unique premise to stand out. 'Chasing Kaleido Rider' has chosen the latter, featuring superpowered pretty girls who ride motorcycles.

To briefly explain the setting: in the near future, a sudden 'Fusion Phenomenon' gives rise to monsters called 'Kanju,' born from humanity's negative consciousness. The player acts as a navigator with the Eyes of Kaleido, commanding superpowered pretty girls known as 'Kaleido Riders' to protect humanity from these threats.

On the surface, this is a familiar setup for subculture games that have knocked on the doors of the Chinese and global markets. It features complex proper nouns, pretty girl warriors facing a crisis, and a protagonist who commands them. The addition of 'motorcycles' as a new element raises the question of what unique flair it will bring to the table.

While games centered on bikes are usually in the racing genre, leading one to expect high-speed chases, 'Chasing Kaleido Rider' adopts that aesthetic but implements a cost-based skill combat system. Auto-attacks occur automatically, while players use character Skills at the right moments as cost naturally regenerates. The combat tempo isn't lightning-fast, as skill cutscenes intersperse the action, but the game captures a sense of urgency by dynamically shifting camera angles to showcase the battlefield. This effectively conveys the thrill of high-speed biking even within a static screen.

A key feature is the speedometer gauge that fills as Skills are used; once full, players can trigger a 'Boost' to increase damage for a set duration. This mechanic, reminiscent of using nitro in a racing game, creates a unique rhythm where players unleash a flurry of Skills using the cost they've accumulated.

Beyond combat, significant effort has been put into character interaction. Players can enjoy dates in various locations like aquariums, amusement parks, and commercial districts, or deepen their bonds through activities like Whispers and rest. Even with the language barrier, the touch responses are well-crafted, following established tropes while allowing the unique charm of each Character to shine through.

However, other elements faithfully follow the formulas players have come to expect from subculture games. The routine is immediately recognizable: gacha for Characters and bikes, farming and upgrading set Equipment (so-called 'artifacts'), and clearing stage-based stories followed by periodic runs of Resource Farming Dungeons and challenge content.

While this familiarity makes the game easy to pick up, it leaves the developers with the task of providing that extra 'kick' to surpass existing titles. In the subculture genre, this usually comes down to the Characters and the stories that showcase their personalities and exploits. Since the market is already saturated with 'pretty characters,' the game must make players truly fall for them to ensure longevity.

In this regard, the choice of motorcycles is a double-edged sword for 'Chasing Kaleido Rider.' It is unique and eye-catching, but if the theme isn't executed well, it risks feeling alienating rather than charming. In subculture character design, bikes are rarely used as a core motif, as they have traditionally been limited to emphasizing toughness, loneliness, or style.

By choosing this theme, 'Chasing Kaleido Rider' has managed to establish its own tempo within a familiar combat format. With three chapters—'Prelude,' 'Campus,' and 'Band'—revealed during the global test, the game is beginning to unfold its unique narrative. It will be interesting to see how it develops these elements to cement its own identity.