PGC NEWS

The Vagrant, a 2D action side-scroller inspired by Vanillaware games and Castlevania X, first appeared on Kickstarter in 2015. Developed by the newly formed O.T.K Games, the project unfortunately fell short of its funding goal. Despite this setback, the developers persevered, releasing The Vagrant on Steam Early Access in 2017. Now, the game has finally reached its full release, offering a captivating journey through a vibrant world, albeit one marred by some gameplay shortcomings.

The Vagrant – đánh giá game

Set in the mystical world of Mithrilia, The Vagrant follows the story of Vivian, a skilled warrior on a quest to find her missing father and uncover the truth about her family’s lineage. The narrative, while not groundbreaking, provides a compelling backdrop for exploration and discovery, filled with intriguing twists, emotional moments, and a satisfying conclusion.

Exploring the Vibrant World of Mithrilia

Mithrilia itself is a visual masterpiece, brought to life through stunning hand-drawn graphics. Each environment is richly detailed, showcasing the unique characteristics of the various regions Vivian traverses. The diverse enemy designs further enhance the world’s vibrant atmosphere, reflecting the distinct spirit of each location. However, the character designs could benefit from more detail, and the environments lack dynamic elements like lighting and weather effects. Similarly, the soundtrack, while pleasant, doesn’t quite reach the same level of polish as the visuals.

The Vagrant – đánh giá game

Combat: A Disappointing Flaw

While The Vagrant boasts “challenging and perfected combat,” the reality falls short of this promise. Vivian’s movement feels clunky and unresponsive, hindering the fluidity of combat. Jumping is almost useless for dodging attacks, forcing players to rely heavily on the dedicated dodge button. The enemy AI is also simplistic, particularly for bosses. Most bosses fall into two categories: mobile and stationary. Mobile bosses can often be defeated by simply staying behind them and attacking, while stationary bosses have fixed weak points that can be exploited without much effort.

The Vagrant – đánh giá game

Progression and Customization: Lacking Depth

Outside of combat, the character progression system lacks depth. Vivian doesn’t level up traditionally; instead, she uses Mana earned from battles to upgrade weapons and unlock skills. Most skills are simple stat boosts, offering little in the way of new abilities. Weapon upgrades also provide minor stat increases and unlock slots for Rune Stones, which primarily offer further stat boosts. Rune Stones are scarce, making this system feel underdeveloped.

The Vagrant – đánh giá game

While The Vagrant offers a variety of features, including weapon upgrades, cooking, and skill unlocks, none are particularly engaging or memorable. The game suffers from a lack of polish in its core gameplay mechanics, preventing it from reaching its full potential.

A Budget-Friendly Adventure

Despite its flaws, The Vagrant offers a substantial amount of content for its low price of $4. Players can expect a 10-hour journey through a beautifully crafted world, challenging boss battles, and a compelling narrative. Hidden secrets and higher difficulty settings provide additional replay value. With frequent Steam sales and regional pricing, The Vagrant can often be purchased for even less, making it an incredibly budget-friendly adventure.

Conclusion: A Mixed Bag

The Vagrant is a visually stunning and affordable adventure with a captivating story. However, its clunky combat and shallow progression systems hold it back from being a truly exceptional experience. If you can overlook its gameplay shortcomings, The Vagrant offers a worthwhile journey through a beautiful and intriguing world.