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Ary and the Secret of Seasons, an indie game that emerged with relatively little fanfare, initially seemed promising, particularly given its “Best Unity Game” award at Gamescom 2017. In a landscape relatively sparse for vibrant, puzzle-driven adventure games, Ary offered a glimmer of hope. Does this game live up to its potential, becoming a hidden gem of 2020? This review delves into the strengths and weaknesses of Ary and the Secret of Seasons.

Ary wielding a sword

A Journey Marred by Instability

Unfortunately, a sense of instability pervades Ary and the Secret of Seasons, impacting the narrative, gameplay, visuals, and even the audio.

The story, seemingly targeted towards a younger audience, feels underdeveloped. Players follow Ary, a charming and spirited young girl, who embarks on a quest to find her missing brother after a chance encounter with a hyena wielding a wooden sword bearing his name. While the premise has potential, the execution falters. The narrative progression, dialogue, and character interactions often feel simplistic, awkward, and lacking in depth. While it’s unfair to compare an indie title to the narrative mastery of Disney or Dreamworks, family-friendly games shouldn’t neglect compelling storytelling.

Ary in a snowy environment

The characters, while visually appealing, are largely two-dimensional, with attempts at humor often falling flat. Their presence lacks the emotional weight to foster genuine connection with the player. Ary herself stands out as a likeable protagonist, a bright spot in an otherwise mediocre narrative.

The game’s visuals and audio further contribute to the sense of inconsistency. Character models, particularly for background NPCs, appear simplistic and lifeless, lacking detail and polish. Environments are similarly uneven, with some areas boasting visually appealing landscapes while others feel barren and uninspired. Character animations during cutscenes are surprisingly expressive, but the static and lifeless NPCs throughout the game world detract from the overall experience.

Ary in a forest setting

This unevenness likely stems from the limited resources of an indie development team. However, even with graphical limitations, stable performance should be a priority. Unfortunately, Ary suffers from frequent frame rate drops, even in less demanding scenes, impacting the overall gameplay experience. Hopefully, future updates will address these technical issues. The user interface also feels unpolished, with clunky menus and inconsistent design choices. Dialogue boxes sometimes disappear entirely, and persistent quest markers often obstruct otherwise beautiful scenery.

The soundtrack, while featuring some enjoyable melodies, suffers from poor implementation within the game. The inconsistent and ill-timed music cues, coupled with the already weak narrative, create a jarring and disjointed experience. Environmental sound effects also experience occasional glitches, with sudden bursts of noise or abrupt silences further disrupting immersion. Voice acting is passable, neither particularly noteworthy nor offensively bad.

A Glimmer of Hope in the Gameplay

Ary using seasonal powers

Ary and the Secret of Seasons shines brightest in its gameplay, which centers around puzzle-solving and exploration, punctuated by occasional combat encounters. The game cleverly integrates the four seasons into its environment, particularly within its puzzle design. These seasonal mechanics offer engaging challenges that encourage experimentation and creative problem-solving. The visual transformations accompanying each season, especially the dynamic and versatile winter season, are a welcome addition.

Combat encounters, especially towards the later stages of the game, provide a satisfying level of challenge. Utilizing Ary’s seasonal powers strategically is crucial for overcoming bosses, adding a layer of tactical depth to the otherwise simple combat system. The ability to bypass most standard enemies, focusing on exploration and puzzle-solving, is a welcome feature for players who prefer to avoid unnecessary combat.

Ary fighting enemies

The combat system itself is straightforward, consisting of basic attacks, dodges, blocks, a special attack, and eventually, a slingshot capable of manipulating the seasons. While simple, this system proves effective, especially during boss battles. The game’s lack of emphasis on grinding and the relatively low AI intelligence make combat encounters manageable, allowing players to prioritize other aspects of the game.

A stealth mechanic exists, but its implementation feels underdeveloped and ultimately unnecessary. Lacking options for stealth attacks or distractions, it’s often more efficient to engage enemies directly.

Ary exploring a dungeon

Character progression, primarily through upgrades to stats, outfits, and weapons, relies solely on currency acquired from treasure chests scattered throughout the game world. Accessing these chests often requires solving puzzles or navigating platforming challenges. Ironically, some of the harder-to-reach chests contain less valuable rewards than those found along the main path.

Optional side quests offer additional content and rewards, although their impact on the overall experience is minimal. Completionists will find enjoyment in these short, manageable diversions. Collectibles, such as treasure chests, health-boosting crystals, and lore tablets, provide further incentive for exploration.

Conclusion

Ary and the Secret of Seasons offers a charming adventure with a unique gameplay mechanic. However, its technical shortcomings, inconsistent visuals and audio, and underdeveloped narrative ultimately hold it back from reaching its full potential. While the core gameplay loop of puzzle-solving and exploration provides moments of genuine enjoyment, the overall experience is marred by instability and a lack of polish.

Game Information

• Developers: eXiin, Fishing Cactus
• Publisher: Modus Games
• Genre: Action, Adventure
• Release Date: September 1, 2020
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch

Minimum System Requirements (PC)

• OS: Windows 8.1
• CPU: Intel Core i5-4590
• RAM: 4 GB
• GPU: AMD FX-6350 Radeon RX 460
• Storage: 9 GB

Tested System Requirements (PC)

• OS: Windows 10
• CPU: Intel Core i5 8300H
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
• Storage: 256 GB SSD, 1 TB HDD