It seemed like a simple mission when Professor Port sent team RWBY to the Emerald Forest. Just find out why the local security network went down, maybe pick up a few relics and everyone’s home by nightfall. Yet there are no “simple missions” for our polychromatic heroines. Someone’s been running experiments on the local Grimm and now they’re more dangerous than ever! There’s a mystery afoot, so grab your friends and get ready for some rip-roaring, co-op hack and slash fun with Rooster Teeth’s RWBY: Grimm Eclipse! Uncover the truth on Xbox One and PS4 now with a fist, blade or…um, gun-scythe thingie!

Each member of team RWBY has her own attack strength and range. Ruby’s Crimson Rose is good for all ranges, but her attack speed’s slower than her teammates. Weiss Schnee is nimble and graceful, but her range is mostly short-to-middle. Blake Belladonna’s the team’s fastest member, but she specializes in mid-to-long-range fighting while staying away from enemy attacks. Yang brings it home with massive strength, speed and defense…but her melee and projectile weaponry are close-combat only. So who’s your leading lady?

During gameplay, you (and up to four other players) travel through various stages while fighting off the ever-hostile Grimm hordes. As per the standard hack and slash setup, you’ve got a strong attack, weak attack, dodge, and projectile attacks. Aura (your health bar) goes down when you take a hit while your Ultimate Meter builds each time one of your attacks connects with an enemy. Grimm Eclipse also brings in a few RPG standards, including experience points that you earn by defeating enemies. These help you level up to get points to spend on a character’s skill tree, unlocking stat bonuses, new moves and other perks.

Also, Grimm Eclipse doesn’t erase experience, levels, points and skills that you earn and choose even if you die mid-stage. In fact, death and failure have no real penalty beyond forcing you to begin again from the most recent checkpoint. By all means, hurl yourself at that brick wall cuz it’ll crumble before you do!

The game's not hard, but here are a few things I learned that may make your experience easier. Remember, Grimm can take you apart in a few hits, so dodge whenever possible. Run for cover whenever the screen starts flashing red—that means you’re out of aura! Your aura gauge will refill automatically, but you’ve got to avoid taking a hit for a few seconds first! And you'll want to go for the jugular when a Grimm drops its guard. You’ll hear a distinctive chime and a button (“B” on Xbox One, “O” on PS4) will appear over its head. This is your cue to counter attack and leave the enemy momentarily stunned. Try to use this whenever you’re surrounded. With the right enemy type, you might even be able to keep countering until they’re all dead! If your enemy’s defending and won’t let you get a hit in, take a chance and break its guard with a strong attack! Grimm have a lot of stamina, so the sooner you can make one vulnerable, the better! 

RWBY is practically made for video game adaptations. The unique world of Remnant, the epic fights and Rooster Teeth’s gorgeous cell-shaded CGI animation all come together perfectly for a great gaming experience. Hopefully, there will be more games in the future, but for now…care to join me for a hunt?

Hint: Since RWBY: Grimm Eclipse is a multiplayer game first and foremost, there’s no real way to pause the game mid-mission. Try to aim your bathroom breaks or your Point-spending for whenever you’re not up to your neck in a Grimm Horde!

by Chris Turner