Auridia is special!
The best way I can explain it is this: think of the most magical scavenger hunt you’ve ever encountered yourself in. Now add some gloom and mystery with a touch of Lovecraftian horror. What you’ll find yourself in, is this fantastical underground world full of ancient secrets and artifacts, all for the sake to follow in the footsteps of your grandfather before you.
This is not your average “jump to the right and proceed to the next stage” platformer. This is an actual journey for you to get lost and immersed in.
To put it into perspective, I tend to be very picky about platformers and metroidvania games. I grew up with game series such as Castlevania, Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario Bros., Kirby, you get the gist. Not every sidescroller tends to have those memorable moments like the retro titles previously mentioned. And with the current high demand of triple A titles, the art has been slowly dwindling and certain gems get overshadowed by other bigger companies. But I would hate for this gem to be ignored!
The game’s aesthetic is absolutely breathtaking: it is very minimalistic with some of the humanoid characters, however it makes up for it in the environment, and creatures you encounter.
And that’s important as the game focuses a lot on being creative in how you approach exploration of the map. So if you’re expecting combat-heavy action, it’s fair to say this might not be for you, but you should still take a close look because what makes this game different is also what makes it really stand out. The closest thing you can get to having combat is maybe using your environment once you unlock certain abilities, or using your torch to stun enemies momentarily, but that’s pretty much it!
And other than those two options, the demo doesn’t offer anything other than traversal abilities, and more items for you to find hidden secrets.
Another thing I really like about this game is that it is very rich in lore. Every piece of equipment, every artifact brings you closer to the history of Auridia, and every journal unlocks hidden secrets left behind by previous expeditioners. There is always somewhere new to explore, and new passages to find.
And your greatest asset is light. Going deep underground, you’ll find torches you can light along the way that will give you access to more secrets you can find, and this play on light is masterful and really interesting.
Ultimately, Auridia is for metroidvania and exploration fans, and other gamers who enjoy any good platformer or puzzle. It’s easy to pick up, and while it doesn’t hold your hand too much, it doesn’t need to. You are given a world full of wonders to explore in any way you’d like.
It forces you to think outside the box and let your imagination run wild with its platforming mechanics, as well as the exploration. There are many different secret areas you can easily miss if you are not paying attention, so do take your time exploring Auridia as this game is incredible at rewarding your curiosity.
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3 Comments
Indie Kitty
Incredible Job Chris! I love this preview! <3
Kevin Fernandes
This was really well written!
SuTheKitty
I can tell you REALLY like metroidvania,
so well spoken/written and reminds me of somebody I know that’s passionate about the genre XD
Thanks for sharing the preview!