PGC NEWS

The Pathless, developed by Giant Squid, the creators of the mesmerizing underwater adventure ABZU, promises a captivating journey through a stylized world. With pre-release trailers showcasing colossal creatures reminiscent of Shadow of the Colossus, anticipation was high. Does The Pathless deliver on its potential? Let’s delve into a comprehensive review.

alt text: The Hunter and her eagle companion soaring through the air in The Pathless

A Call to Light: The Strengths of The Pathless

The Pathless presents a straightforward narrative, drawing inspiration from Shadow of the Colossus but with a brighter tone. You play as a nameless Hunter tasked with restoring light to a world consumed by darkness. Aided by a majestic eagle, your journey begins after encountering the entity responsible for the encroaching shadows. While the main plot focuses on dispelling darkness, The Pathless adds depth through optional lore scattered throughout its ancient ruins. These fragments provide insight into the land’s history, its ruling creatures, and the motivations of the antagonist.

The gameplay is streamlined. As a skilled archer, you propel yourself through the world by shooting talisma targets to maintain your dash meter. You’ll also use your bow to ignite braziers and solve environmental puzzles. Exploration is rewarded with crystals that upgrade your eagle’s flight capabilities.

alt text: The Hunter aiming her bow at a target in The Pathless

Unlike modern third-person shooters like Tomb Raider or Horizon Zero Dawn, The Pathless utilizes an auto-aim system, reminiscent of PS2/early PS3 era games. This contributes to the fluidity of movement, especially during high-speed traversal. Instead of a traditional map, you rely on the eagle’s heightened senses to reveal points of interest, similar to later Assassin’s Creed titles. Collecting golden artifacts unlocks three sealed towers. Once all towers are lit, they reveal the location of a boss creature to hunt.

Giant Squid has impressively optimized the game, particularly on PlayStation 5, ensuring seamless transitions between areas even at high speeds. The DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers enhance the archery experience, adding another layer of immersion. While exploring, you may encounter bosses prematurely within their red aura zones. Separated from your eagle, you must stealthily navigate these encounters, avoiding the creature’s gaze while seeking the eagle’s calls. Being spotted results in a minor penalty—losing a few crystals.

alt text: The Hunter facing a massive, corrupted creature in The Pathless

Boss battles are well-designed, featuring unique attack patterns and puzzle elements. They are visually impressive and initially exhilarating. Afterward, the cleansed areas offer a sense of tranquility, allowing for uninterrupted exploration. The soundtrack is another highlight, blending peaceful melodies with hints of tension, perfectly complementing the natural environment. The music swells during boss encounters, enhancing the spectacle.

alt text: The Hunter gliding through a forest in The Pathless

Falling Short of Greatness: The Weaknesses of The Pathless

Despite its strengths, The Pathless ultimately falls short of its potential. The gameplay, while initially engaging, becomes repetitive. The thrill of gliding through the environment diminishes due to a lack of diverse terrain that could enable more complex traversal maneuvers. Unlike games like Marvel’s Spider-Man, which reward skillful movement with experience points and achievements, The Pathless offers little incentive to master its mechanics.

alt text: The Hunter standing in a desolate, corrupted area in The Pathless

The auto-aim system, while contributing to fluidity, can be problematic, especially during puzzle sections. Targeting nearby objects can be frustratingly imprecise. The puzzles themselves lack variety and complexity. Many are solved with a single shot or by simply positioning an object correctly. The art direction, while visually appealing, lacks the distinctness and detail to truly captivate and encourage exploration. Cleansing corrupted areas simply transforms night into day with minimal environmental changes.

alt text: The Hunter interacting with a puzzle element in The Pathless

Compared to Giant Squid’s previous title, ABZU, The Pathless’s visuals, character designs, and even the boss creatures are less impressive. The narrative is unremarkable, lacking emotional depth and culminating in a rushed and unsatisfying conclusion. The post-game experience is also disappointing. Selecting “Continue” returns the player to before the final mission, preventing completionists from finishing any remaining puzzles. The absence of a “New Game+” mode further limits replayability.

alt text: The Hunter running through a field in The Pathless

Conclusion: A Beautiful but Fleeting Experience

The Pathless offers a visually stunning and initially engaging experience. However, its repetitive gameplay, simplistic puzzles, and underwhelming narrative prevent it from reaching its full potential. While it showcases moments of brilliance, the overall experience feels somewhat hollow.