Written by Bernard Julius Paje
Title: Elliot Quest
Developer: Ansimuz Games
Publisher: PlayEveryWare Games
Price: $9.99
Genre: Adventure, Platformer, Role-Playing
Also Available On: Steam, WiiU, 3DS, PS4, XB1, OUYA, FireTV
REVIEWER’S NOTE: If you lot simply desire to peruse the actual Elliot Quest review in addition to skip the lengthy introduction slash gaming history lesson I receive got delightfully written for you, dear reader, delight start reading from the quaternary paragraph. Thanks!
Games during the early on console generations (commonly referred to equally retro games) are oftentimes considered edifice blocks that shaped gaming into what it is today. Even though retro games are to a greater extent than ofttimes than non simply appreciated past times those that grew upwardly playing them, the pith mechanics introduced past times these vintage classics silent alive on until today. If non for genre defining games similar The Legend of Zelda, Dragon Quest, Fire Emblem in addition to other classic games, a lot of the modern games nosotros know at nowadays would likely non receive got existed or played differently.
Granted, simply about installments of fifty-fifty the biggest game franchises took a spill at simply about point. These instances are to a greater extent than ofttimes than non because simply about game sequels tried to ‘shake things up’, which led to said sequel having exclusively dissimilar mechanics from the master copy game it followed. Cases inward point: The straightaway sequels to games similar Castlevania, Super Mario Bros. (in the U.S.A. only) in addition to Final Fantasy played somewhat differently from the originals, causing a partition inward the fanbase of the said sequels. Players either loved the sequels’ newly introduced game elements or hated their stark divergence from the master copy game.
Elliot Quest—the game you lot are close to read a review for now—is inward fact, heavily inspired past times a sequel that drastically differed from its master copy game. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 sequel that, piece business office of a hugely honey franchise, is likely the game with the most notorious love/hate split upwardly alongside gamers. I am talking, of course, close Zelda 2: The Adventures of Link, which ditched the top-down viewpoint of the master copy The Legend of Zelda for a side-scrolling gameplay approach. Again, fans were pretty divided when it came to the credence of the said change, in addition to then factions that either love or loathe the said sequel to decease silent be until today. In this light, I volition receive got to state that Elliot Quest could perhaps larn a similar split upwardly equally well—a split upwardly subject on how its instrumentalist appreciates the hardcore classics of yesteryear.
Elliot Quest is a 2D side-scrolling action/adventure game with RPG elements that is clearly inspired past times a lot of the old schoolhouse games that I played equally a kid. In add-on to the familiar gameplay inspired past times Zelda 2: The Adventures of Link for the NES (both inward principal dungeons in addition to towns) it also clearly draws inspiration from Kid Icarus for Elliot's graphic symbol blueprint (albeit only subtly), the Metroid/Castlevania games for its map layouts—commonly referred to today equally the 'Metroidvania' blueprint of exploration–as good equally The Adventures Of Lolo games for its overworld map. The game also boasts punishing difficulty akin to Zelda 2 in addition to a lot of the early on NES games dorsum inward the day. All of this is presented via an 8/16-bit (12 bit?) graphic trend equally well, in addition to then the retro factor of this game is real high indeed.
The game focuses on the storey of Elliot equally he explores Urele Island inward search of adventure, treasure in addition to to a greater extent than importantly, answers—Elliot’s married adult woman all of a abrupt disappears i day, in addition to subsequently coming together upwardly with a Sage he finds out that he has been stricken with a curse that is tardily transforming him into a demon. Also included with this curse however, is immortality—Elliot cannot die. So the curse that is turning him tardily but sure into a demon volition eventually come upwardly into fruition, no thing what. Armed only with his courage, ability in addition to trusty bow, Elliot sets forth on a unsafe quest against all odds. I would also add together wisdom to his science laid equally well, but that would non hold upwardly in addition to then master copy now, would it? ;)
As I already mentioned quite a few times (especially if you lot opted non to skip the 3 paragraph introduction) the game is heavily inspired past times Zelda 2—a fact that was admitted fifty-fifty past times the game’s developers Ansimuz Games in addition to PlayEveryWare inward their website in addition to press releases. While the game tin dismiss larn hard at times, it has a flat upwardly organization that gives Elliot diverse perks similar additional hit/magic points, stronger defense, increased arrow shooting rate/critical hits in addition to amend HP/MP recovery pickups. And since the game is difficult, hold upwardly prepared to give-up the ghost a lot of times inward sure areas. Dying volition brand you lot lose simply about sense points equally a penalty, in addition to then larn gear upwardly for simply about pocket-size frustration if you lot are inward a genuinely tough area.
The game's diverse areas are presented inward a fully open-world design, allowing you lot to become inward whatever management early on inward game. Literally every nook in addition to cranny of the map volition receive got simply about form of expanse for you lot to explore. Certain areas volition require you lot to receive got the needed abilities to progress of course, inward truthful Metroidvania fashion. Once you lot larn to the start town, you lot volition hold upwardly greeted past times ii maps of the overworld with points of involvement that you lot should explore—one that shows the locations of the principal dungeons of Urele in addition to i that pinpoints optional crystals that you lot tin dismiss collect. Clearing the principal dungeons volition hold upwardly tough, but getting simply about of the late-game crystals volition hold upwardly a truthful challenge. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 major downside of this opened upwardly basis blueprint though, is the obtuseness of the game's progression system. The game offers no hand-holding whatsoever, in addition to then at times you lot volition receive got no thought what an item does until you lot genuinely larn to the expanse where it is needed. The lack of an in-game manual is also a work for this Switch version, in addition to then at times the game left me clueless regarding where I demand to become next. Getting 100% completion inward this game is a truthful challenge that only hardcore gamers volition larn to achieve, in addition to this is partially because of its vague approach inward giving the instrumentalist instructions.
Overall, if you lot similar playing old-school retro games or Metroidvania-style platformers (or amend yet, both) Elliot Quest offers a lot of gameplay for its $9.99 bespeak price. You volition easily pass at to the lowest degree x hours to consummate its principal storey in addition to upwardly to double that to larn 100% completion. While the game tin dismiss larn hard inward simply about areas, its graphic symbol progression organization tin dismiss brand things easier for you lot if you lot utilize the upgrades available to Elliot correctly. Elliot Quest's combination of high difficulty in addition to ambiguous guidance may elbow grease simply about players to ragequit midway during the adventure, but those who stick with the game volition hold upwardly rewarded with hours of amazing in addition to pixel-perfect 2D platforming gameplay.
YAY!
- Glorious retro-style 2D platforming inspired past times simply about of the best classic NES games.
- Huge in addition to sprawling opened upwardly basis with tons of areas to explore.
- Give you lot a lot of bang for your gaming buck because of its budget toll tag.
NAY!
- The game tin dismiss hold upwardly unclear inward giving the instrumentalist directions in addition to instructions at times.
- High difficulty for simply about areas tin dismiss hold upwardly a possible turn-off for simply about players.
- The game's real retro presentation may non appeal to everybody.
REVIEW SCORE: 7.5/10
Share This :
comment 0 comments
more_vert