PGC NEWS

The Metroidvania genre has seen a resurgence in recent years, particularly among indie developers who have crafted captivating experiences like Hollow Knight and Ori and the Blind Forest. This resurgence stems from the genre’s ability to offer rich exploration and puzzle-solving without demanding exorbitant development costs. However, crafting a compelling Metroidvania requires more than just a low budget; it demands a thoughtfully designed world and engaging gameplay mechanics. Developed by Navegante Entertainment and published by Team17, Greak: Memories of Azur aims to deliver a memorable Metroidvania adventure. Does it succeed? Let’s delve into this enchanting world and find out.

greak-memories-of-azur-danh-gia-game-1

Greak: Memories of Azur unfolds in the land of Azur, once a peaceful haven for the Courines, a nature-loving race. Their tranquility was shattered by the Urlags, a destructive force lurking in the shadows. Though initially defeated, the Urlags returned with a mysterious power, forcing the Courines to flee their homes. Players take on the roles of Greak, Adara, and Raydel, three Courine siblings separated during the invasion. Starting as Greak, the youngest brother, the player’s initial goal is to reunite the family. Once reunited, the trio embarks on a quest to gather the necessary components to build an airship and escape Azur.

A Visual and Auditory Delight

greak-memories-of-azur-danh-gia-game-2

Greak: Memories of Azur‘s most striking feature is its beautiful hand-drawn 2D art style. The developers have crafted a vibrant and detailed world that feels like a playable painting. Complementing the visuals is a captivating soundtrack that evokes a range of emotions, from the serenity of the Courine camp to the tension of exploring dark caverns and the excitement of boss battles. Even the subtle sound effects, like the clash of swords, the splash of water, and the dialogue text, enhance the immersive experience.

greak-memories-of-azur-danh-gia-game-8

The game’s hand-drawn art style is captivating.

Deep Gameplay Mechanics

greak-memories-of-azur-danh-gia-game-3

Greak: Memories of Azur offers distinct gameplay mechanics for each sibling. Greak, armed with a sword and crossbow, learns new combat skills reminiscent of a young adventurer like Link from The Legend of Zelda. Adara, a mage, wields magic for both combat and short bursts of flight, progressing by acquiring mystical artifacts. Raydel, a knight, utilizes a sword and shield, and his grappling hook, similar to Batman’s, allows him to reach areas inaccessible to his siblings. The game’s puzzles often require the unique abilities of each sibling, necessitating frequent character switching.

greak-memories-of-azur-danh-gia-game-4

Each sibling offers a unique play style.

Frustrating Inventory Management

greak-memories-of-azur-danh-gia-game-5

The limited inventory space, ranging from three to five slots per character, presents a significant challenge. The lack of a dedicated key item inventory means crucial quest items occupy precious space that could be used for healing items. For example, collecting ropes for the airship forces players to carry them until all four are found, potentially for hours, hindering healing item capacity. While items can be dropped and retrieved later, this is never explained in-game. Upgrading inventory space is possible but provides limited relief.

greak-memories-of-azur-danh-gia-game

Dropping and retrieving items is a clunky workaround for the limited inventory.

Control Issues Hamper the Experience

Greak: Memories of Azur

While controlling all three siblings simultaneously is a novel concept, the execution is flawed. Precise positioning is crucial, as even slight misalignment can lead to characters falling into hazards during platforming sections. Additionally, the “summon” feature, intended for quickly regrouping the siblings, is practically useless due to its extremely short range. Finally, the character switching occasionally experiences delays, a frustrating issue during timed puzzles and boss battles, where a single character’s death results in game over.

Greak: Memories of Azur

Conclusion

Greak: Memories of Azur is a visually stunning and aurally pleasing Metroidvania with engaging gameplay mechanics. However, its flawed inventory management and control issues detract from the overall experience. While the game’s charm and unique mechanics shine through, these technical shortcomings prevent it from reaching its full potential.