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First Impressions not great for NYOS

1K View2023-03-28

Released: 27 March, 2023

Price: $19 USD

This game was on a lot of people's radar because of the excellent, graphically stunning videos and animations exhibited before the game's initial release.

I genuinely feel that a lot of people are itching for a new Metroidvania game to sink their teeth in since the days of Castlevania and HollowKnight are lacking.

Gameplay

Extremely Linear

The gameplay has so far been mediocre, and features like backtracking don't exist. In terms of gameplay, it is extremely simple in a 1-shot get it done style.

You travel from place to place fighting the most tedious foes that remind you of the old, tiresome beasts from Ocarina of Time, where you have to wait until you can actually harm them and then entering when the coast is clear.

Once you have found a piece of armor that will allow you to progress, you just move forward, there are currently no secrets, nor are there any real challenges.

Combat

This has got to be one of the least enjoyable types of fighting I've ever encountered in any Metroidvania. I've played a lot of them. I've currently only played the first two hours of this game and have been scratching my head at this very simple boss fight. It's the way the combat works, that's frustrating.

You don't have a health bar; instead, you have "mana." The only way to restore this bar is to kill enemies while not taking damage, and to give your companion Apino a hug, this takes time and can be interrupted, which if it does you will lose all your mana and the ability to cast his ability to weaken & defeat bosses.

If you run out of mana, the game will show a quick time event the moment it happens. If you press (R2) at the appropriate time, you can recover all of your mana. If, however, you take damage, your mana is lost, and you must wait until you get a kill or the boss you are fighting phases through to the red phases.

It's really hard to explain how it feels in the game. I know how simple this boss fight is, but this type of mechanic absolutely does not belong in this genre.

A normal health indicator and basic battle mechanics without (QTEs), which are nearly impossible to react to unless you're always paying attention to the mana and dodging the incoming wave of strikes would be a way more suitable form.

Armor Mechanics

You will discover relics during your explorations that will enhance your skills to jump, swim, fly, and move through surroundings and walls.

These particular armors will also increase the power of your basic attack, which will pierce the armor of opponents who are the same color as you.

Given that it only provides you with a way to move forward and not a way to interact with enemies in unique and interesting ways, this doesn't seem particularly intuitive and is also a little pointless. Simply said, it's too linear.

Dodge

The only good dodge you have is to get out of the way. You will have to take a hit if you are prevented from moving forward by a wall.

No iFrames because it is a pointless back-step that can prevent damage that doesn't hit you. They ought to have provided a typical dodge, in my opinion.

AUDIO & VISUALS

Absolutely stunning & lacking

It's a tremendous shame that it seems like the designers went all out on the visual appeal of this game to entice you to give it a shot just on the basis of that.

Many of the cinematic events I've seen so far have been enjoyable; they feel clear and well-planned. On the other side, the audio is far too standardized and does not convey a feeling to which you will remember it by in the future.

Conclusion

It so far feels terrible

Although I have only played the game for a short two hours, I do intend to keep playing in order to experience more of what it has to offer. For now, I will make the most of what has been given to me. It doesn't seem to be all that appealing.

I've been watching this game for a while, like many others, and once again I am let down by what's provided. High-quality graphics and a weak foundation.

My initial thoughts on this game come to a close with the caveat that, while others may disagree, that is what makes gamers unique. You don't have to share their interests or agree with them and are welcome to critic me on mine.

If you want to catch me on one of my streams or locate me on social media, you may do so at the following locations, I'm always playing something new.

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- Pawkt

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