Unbelievably boring game

[Snobby Hobo]

The whole thing feels like one of those posts on the Unity or Godot subreddits where a developer implemented some mechanic in a vacuum.

The game introduces a few mildly interesting and/or unique mechanics and then proceeds to do absolutely nothing with any of them. Why does waveriding exist when it could have been just walking over a flat surface? There is no mechanical depth to the implementation in any way. Why are the islands so vertically oriented while nothing is done with said verticality? I just press E 3 times and I'm on top of the highest platform. Combat just exists for boilerplate reasons.

This is a game made for the developers themselves: a nice little distraction and testing their own skill. Nothing this game does come together and all the individual parts are bland.

[SilentCaay]

Originally posted by Snobby Hobo:

Why does waveriding exist when it could have been just walking over a flat surface?

Unbelievably boring person.

[grapplehoeker]

Originally posted by Snobby Hobo:

The whole thing feels like...

Blah blah blah
Not once did you refer to one of the core features the dev's aimed for and delivered... the story!

Originally posted by Thunderful:

Experience a heart-warming story about loss and reconciliation

I completed the game within a very short time frame and yes, the difficulty was very low, the action was mediocre and the mechanics were very simplified...
However, all of that did not matter because the story of loss and reconciliation, if not redemption, was indeed delivered in such a poignant way.
I had not been bored or disappointed with the time spent. All in all, I enjoyed the 6 hour long experience for the paltry sum of 2,99€ and I felt satisfied after it was done. It was a story that engaged me and ended well.

[Snobby Hobo]

Originally posted by grapplehoeker:

Originally posted by Snobby Hobo:

The whole thing feels like...

Blah blah blah
Not once did you refer to one of the core features the dev's aimed for and delivered... the story!

Originally posted by Thunderful:

Experience a heart-warming story about loss and reconciliation

I completed the game within a very short time frame and yes, the difficulty was very low, the action was mediocre and the mechanics were very simplified...
However, all of that did not matter because the story of loss and reconciliation, if not redemption, was indeed delivered in such a poignant way.
I had not been bored or disappointed with the time spent. All in all, I enjoyed the 6 hour long experience for the paltry sum of 2,99€ and I felt satisfied after it was done. It was a story that ended well.

Your odds of interacting with me meaningfully would be increased if you didn't dismiss everything being said as "blabla". If you want self-affirmation you could have just walked to the nearest mirror and marvel at your self-perceived genius.

Jab aside: I can agree with you as a change in perspective. To me games are not just general "experiences"; they are a challenge. A book or a movie I don't perceive a "game". Hence walking simulators or fully narrative driven games I dislike. That does not innately invalidate the concept of it; it merely means I personally disagree with the implementation.

[SilentCaay]

Originally posted by Snobby Hobo:

That does not innately invalidate the concept of it

Except that's exactly what you tried to do:

Originally posted by Snobby Hobo:

This is a game made for the developers themselves: a nice little distraction and testing their own skill. Nothing this game does come together and all the individual parts are bland.

You tried to invalidate their work with an objective-sounding statement. And this isn't the place for such opinions, to begin with. That's what reviews are for but you think so highly of yourself and think your review is so important that everyone needs to read it so you posted it here instead.

We don't need to read it. You've already admitted that you have a very narrow definition of "game" and this game doesn't fit your definition so you aren't even the primary audience. Your opinion therefore holds *less* weight than the average person, not more. If I read a negative review for a JRPG and it started with "I hate all JRPGs..." I would instantly stop reading. That person's opinion might be worthwhile for some other game in a genre they like but it's worthless when considering a JRPG.

[Snobby Hobo]

Originally posted by SilentCaay:

Originally posted by Snobby Hobo:

That does not innately invalidate the concept of it

Except that's exactly what you tried to do:

Originally posted by Snobby Hobo:

This is a game made for the developers themselves: a nice little distraction and testing their own skill. Nothing this game does come together and all the individual parts are bland.

You tried to invalidate their work with an objective-sounding statement. And this isn't the place for such opinions, to begin with. That's what reviews are for but you think so highly of yourself and think your review is so important that everyone needs to read it so you posted it here instead.

We don't need to read it. You've already admitted that you have a very narrow definition of "game" and this game doesn't fit your definition so you aren't even the primary audience. Your opinion therefore holds *less* weight than the average person, not more. If I read a negative review for a JRPG and it started with "I hate all JRPGs..." I would instantly stop reading. That person's opinion might be worthwhile for some other game in a genre they like but it's worthless when considering a JRPG.

Thanks for your contribution. I understand you are very upset with me indeed. How unfortunate.

[SilentCaay]

Upset? No. Just kinda feel pity for you and your poor upbringing.

[Snobby Hobo]

Originally posted by SilentCaay:

Upset? No. Just kinda feel pity for you and your poor upbringing.

Good job. Careful with the aneurysm.

[adam1224]

The ~second half of the game is a lot more interesting story-wise, it's a pity that there is so many "go there because I told you so" beforehand, it's easy to lose interest.
The real pity that there is absolute no change in the movement mechanics / skills, and the environment is either actively blocking you using them, or just used to get a bit faster, while you run forward for a minute or two.

I hope the devs will use the fundamentals for a new game in the future, the momentum, the dash, the waveriding has potential - either towards an SSX style sports game, or use it as a base for a spectacle fighter (similar thing happened with Spiritfarer - it's an excellent game with a brilliant, but under-utilized movement system. While the devs made Sundered earlier, it perfectly scratches that itch to use the brilliant and fluid movement system)