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Original Journey, developed by the emerging Bonfire Entertainment, plunges players into a desperate fight for survival. Facing a dying planet, the Ato race embarks on a perilous quest to find the legendary “Primordial Stone,” a source of immense power rumored to exist on a shadowy planet. As an Ato warrior, you spearhead this vital mission, battling through hordes of enemies and unraveling the secrets of this alien world. This review explores the game’s strengths and weaknesses, from its unique art style to its innovative yet imperfect gameplay mechanics.

Original Journey – Đánh Giá Game

A Visual Masterpiece in Monochrome

Original Journey’s most immediate impact comes from its striking pencil-sketch art style. The stark black and white palette evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of classic illustrations. This minimalist approach prioritizes artistic impact over high-resolution textures and flashy effects. While it may not appeal to players who crave vibrant visuals, the game’s unique aesthetic creates a memorable and atmospheric experience.

Original Journey – Đánh Giá Game

Blending Side-Scrolling Action with Strategic Defense

At its core, Original Journey is a side-scrolling shooter, a genre with a rich and extensive history. To stand out, Bonfire Entertainment has incorporated tower defense elements. You control an Ato warrior, fending off waves of enemies with the help of deployable turrets, laser cannons, and shields. A small robot companion also assists in combat. This blend of genres adds a layer of strategy, as turret placement becomes crucial for success. Positioning your defenses effectively is essential to prevent enemies from overwhelming you.

Crafting and Upgrading Your Arsenal

Original Journey features a crafting system that allows you to create and upgrade weapons and armor. Weapon upgrades involve switching to entirely new weapon types, each with distinct functionalities. This encourages experimentation and adaptation to different combat scenarios. You can carry two weapons simultaneously, allowing for diverse combat approaches. A dedicated weapon testing area lets you practice with different loadouts before heading into battle. Armor upgrades enhance stats like ammo capacity, damage output, health, and health regeneration. These upgrades are facilitated by collecting materials and utilizing upgrade chips.

Exploring a Procedurally Generated World

The game offers four distinct zones, each with 20 procedurally generated levels, ensuring a unique experience even on repeat playthroughs. The difficulty gradually increases as you progress through each zone, providing a consistent challenge.

Original Journey – Đánh Giá Game

Room for Improvement: Lack of Polish and Depth

Despite its strengths, Original Journey suffers from a few shortcomings. The monochromatic art style, while visually appealing, can occasionally hinder gameplay. Tracking your character amidst the chaos of battle can be challenging, especially in crowded encounters. Environmental hazards, like thorns and spikes, can also be difficult to discern. The tower defense integration, while innovative, feels underdeveloped. Once your character becomes sufficiently powerful, the turrets become less essential, diminishing the strategic element.

A Fleeting Journey: Lack of Endgame Content

Another drawback is the lack of compelling endgame content. After defeating the final boss, there’s little incentive to continue playing. The narrative, while functional, lacks depth and complexity. The gameplay loop becomes repetitive, revolving around accepting missions, completing them, and returning to base. This lack of variety can lead to a sense of monotony.

Original Journey – Đánh Giá Game

Conclusion: A Promising Debut with Untapped Potential

Original Journey is a visually captivating and mechanically innovative indie title. Its unique art style and blend of side-scrolling action and tower defense create a memorable experience. However, the lack of polish, underdeveloped gameplay mechanics, and limited endgame content hold it back from achieving its full potential. While it offers a promising debut for Bonfire Entertainment, further refinement and expansion are needed to truly captivate players and establish a lasting impact.