Review: NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits
I hate it when reviews for Wii games, be it retail or WiiWare, use the phrase "...for a Wii game" as some sort of backhanded complement, as if things cannot play, sound, or look good on the system. Even if the system's hardware is relatively limited, all it takes is the right team with the right design to create something spectacular. Case in point, NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits. Coming from Spanish indie developers Over The Top Games, this WiiWare release draws from an eclectic mix of influences, while expanding traditional platforming action into something new with a few motion controls here and there. With this title, the young team has grasped a concept that many other Wii developers simply cannot: play to the system's unique controls while not over doing it and downplay graphics through stylization.
The story of NyxQuest takes place in ancient Greece and has players taking the role of Nyx, a young girl with wings and girlfriend of Icarus. While Icarus normally visits her at her heavenly abode in the clouds, one day he disappears. Concerned for him, Nyx leaves the world of gods and descends to Earth to find him. When she arrives, she finds that Earth has eroded into a wasteland. As she searches dangerous deserts for her man, she'll find her way into the temples of various gods which lend their strength to her cause, hoping that she can also help restore Earth to its former self.
Gameplay unfolds as a 2.5D action platformer (3D visuals paired with 2D side scrolling gameplay) with Nyx's running and jumping handled with traditional controls and the powers of the gods wielded with "point and click" interactions. There's lots of running, jumping, and flying mixed in with some light puzzle elements that require Zeus's power to move heavy objects, hold back crushing pillars, and create safe pathways over the Earth's now poisonous sands. Where a lot of other Wii titles would treat these powers as a collection of occasional and obtuse minigames, NyxQuest sees them as a natural extension of gameplay. They are blended into gameplay so well that players will be able to (and required to in some fantastic later levels) use them in tandem with platforming elements and controls. By wisely keeping the platforming and power-based controls ideologically separate (traditional versus motion control), Over The Top creates a unique sense that the player is controlling two very different characters at once, without ever creating any sort of confusion.
The game's sights and sounds are as equally remarkable as its gameplay. To think of the visuals as a "toned down" version of Giorgio de Chirico's surrealist paintings is a good place to start. Foreground and background elements are easily defined with simple forms, strong lines, and bold colors. Strong game-related influences that may be easier to recognize include Eric Chahi's "cinematic platformers" (especially Out Of This World and Flashback). Each setting may be constructed with simple shapes, but their presentation and compositions are the very definition of striking. The audio and music heard in the game have to be complemented for helping to create a terrific sense of atmosphere. I highly recommend that everyone check out the soundtrack here to get a good idea of what to expect.
My only minor complaint with this title is that I was still hungry for more by the end of Nyx's Quest. While not feeling like a glorified, but very pretty demo like Lost Winds, the title's short story mode could be a problem for some players. However, NyxQuest does provide some very deep, lasting challenges for those searching for it, but they are not required to complete the game.
This game is the Kid Icarus sequel that hardcore Nintendo fans have always wanted, but Nintendo will never give them. While it doesn't drastically reinvent the genre, it's a solid, polished experience that will excite fans of action platforming. NyxQuest achieves a balance that few games do on multiple fronts; between too easy and too hard, traditional versus motion control, "underpowered" technology against art style. Since it was able to so successfully tackle these delicate issues with ease and grace, this game is not just my favorite WiiWare title currently available, but it's one of the best downloadable games I've ever experienced, regardless of budget or platform.
9 out of 10
Game-Boy
Posted to Hot Stuff, Reviews, Video Games on 17 August 2009
· Comments (1)
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This game isn't as visually impressive as list winds,but the puzzles are way more complex. I would recommend this to anyone though it's still fun.