As video game technology has evolved over the years, we began to see how long it would take to develop as well. Growing up in the era of 8- and 16-bit games, I recently realised that some of my favourite games aren’t necessarily the longest, but they combine interesting gameplay mechanics with vivid graphics, catchy soundtracks and the world I want to explore. Games like Blaster Master introduced me to what was later described as the Metroidvania genre, where I had to fully explore levels to get new bonuses to reach previously inaccessible areas. The power and freedom that came from the ability to float or the hoops with sticks on the wall really opened my eyes to the possibility of playing games. Even the Kick Ass soundtrack didn’t hurt. Ninja Gaiden offered a buffet with great controls, tough opponents, star graphics, fantastic music and brought home the meaning of an exciting story to keep the player up to date.
Of course, a number of other games have managed to regain the elusive magic of video games that brought me back more and more, but one thing is certain: Most of the games I played as a child didn’t necessarily last more than a few hours once I was there. For decades, game developers boasted that their games would take longer to win, with some claiming more than 100 hours of play! I admit it looked like a big ball at the bottom of a game box when I was a kid. Of course, I had all the time in the world back then. I think some games really depend on the addition of records that match those marketing points, and that has a real chance of pushing people away.
Today we are in a different playing landscape, where we have games of all kinds and lengths. It was a bit taboo to have a very short game, but with the advent of digital showcases and independent developers, there is room for a three-hour name, provided, of course, that it is also precious. So, yes, In almost is a shorter game that can last three to five hours for most players. Yes, you could play the game and try to find more secrets, but I think that would be good enough for most people. For me it was a perfect format game, especially with games like Animal Crossing:. New Horizons, Mario’s Paper: Origami King, and Xeno Blade Chronicles: Final Edition Everyone is trying to waste hundreds of hours of my life.
So, after all this wandering, what’s the furthest? At the heart of the game is a two-dimensional pixel art puzzle in which you take turns guiding three different characters through a very dark and depressing world. The chapters of the game are a bit short and the plot of the game is mainly played by trial and error. It reminds me of Inside in the sense that you entered this world without knowing what was going on, but the location and setting up platforms is a big part of the story. Throughout the game there is sometimes text and even a spoken story (especially at the end), but most of the game feels neglected and lonely when you try to tell what happened to these three people.
Each character has a different set of movements. The first is a middle-aged man who can’t fight. It has an evasive role that can get it out of the way, but for the most part you will only explore my running and jumping. There are often situations where you have to solve a simple puzzle by taking an object with you and putting it in another place or by attaching a rope to an important object to lift it onto a new platform. I thought he was the main character, and I had a lot of fun checking his segments.
The next player is a kind of knight with a sword who only does what he attacks. Just like the Bionic Commandhe doesn’t have to jump to access the other parts of the levels, but he has to use a grapple that shoots an arc to swing on itself. There will be waves of Shadow Enemies to throw the dice. Although I enjoyed the fighting parts of the game, the sections were often the simplest and most basic, so I always enjoyed playing, just like with the other two characters.
The third character is a little girl. Normally this would sound boring, but she has no particular movement. She can walk and climb on things. As in the traditional adventure game Point and Click, many objects can be viewed and some comments are given by the speech bubble. He used to be reunited with his stuffed rabbit, and here the game takes a darker turn, because now that you’re learning things, the rabbit gives his own description, and it’s a mix of humour and disturbing dialogue. From the beginning it is clear that the little girl lives in a house in trouble with parents who are not perfect. In many ways I preferred her passages because she had a persistent story, and the more I had to play it for her, the slower the puzzle had to be solved. I was surprised that this 8-bit pixel world with almost no gameplay (a walking simulator in a 2D landscape comes to mind) was what I wanted to explore the most. But your mileage can vary depending on the games you like, so I think you have three very different character segments to offer something for everyone.
As I just said, the presentation is very 8-bit with little elves, but the environment is very detailed. In most cases, only a few colours are visible on the screen, and some segments appear to be able to be created on the Game Boy. It blossoms a bit like candles, and the flickering of the fire in the ambient light brings the graphics a little further than you would see on the NES. There are also many scrolling parallaxes and sometimes huge creatures and animated backgrounds, which certainly go far beyond what was technically possible in the 8-bit era. The animation and beautiful landscaping make the world a truly fascinating place to explore.
The audio is also up-to-date with a moving soundtrack of violins and other instruments. There is a voice that works everywhere and does its job, but don’t expect anything too surprising. Audiovisual media really serve the plot and help strengthen emotional action. As in the case of Celeste, there are serious problems in the lives of some people who are severely affected. I know I was really scared in my last few minutes!
I think it’s great that the industry has grown enough to have a game like in almost . It is clearly made with love and shows every step. Perfect? No, but then again, so few games. I thought the battle sections were a little awkward and uninspired, and in the end I would have preferred 1/3 of the game to an axe of existence if I could have spent more time with the other two characters. More puzzle areas and research with the girl would make the game even better. Even the end of the game, with the loss of control over the characters, felt compelled to immediately reset a lot of stories. I don’t know if the developers were short of money or time, but the last 20 minutes of the game could have been better. But the whole thing always works as an exciting storytelling experience, and it will stay with me for a long time to come.
Recent overview
- Graphs – 8/10
- The tone is 8/10.
- The course of the game – 7/10
- Late appeal – 7/10
7.5/10
Final remarks : GOOD PLACES
In most cases it is a dark and emotional 2D adventure puzzle with three characters in a complex scenario. Detailed pixel images and an animated soundtrack help sell the story, and the puzzle-solver is useful. Some of the action segments are somewhat shorter, and the last half hour of the game seems rushed, but in general it is an experience that I will not soon forget.
Craig has been working in the video game industry since 1995. His works have been published on various media sites. He is currently editor-in-chief and contributes to the Games Age.
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