The hero of the legend (indie)
You know Crypt of the NecroDancer? I personally, until a few months ago, did not know the work before the boys of Brace Yourself Games. During the Nindies Showcase on March 20, 2019 I was therefore extremely impressed by the announcement of Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the Necrodancer feat The Legend of Zelda. In short, a rogue-like with elements from rhythm game with the ost of zelda? As a fan of Zelda and the two aforementioned genres, I couldn't help but buy it as soon as possible! Let's go and see together what the highlights and weaknesses of this first and important "indie adventure”By Link and Zelda!
3 playable characters, including Cadence, protagonist of Crypt of the NecroDancer
Wait… in what sense to explore to the rhythm of the beat?
To learn more:
Crypt of the NecroDancer
If you have already played Crypt of the NecroDancer you already know what that means. For those who have never played it, I recommend both trying it (as I did while waiting for Cadence of Hyrule) and taking a look at the review that you find here on Holygamerz! In essence it is a rogue-like contaminated from rhythm game elements in which you have to proceed into a cave full of monsters and obstacles. Both our avatar and the various monsters must follow "the beat" to perform any kind of action, thus forcing the player to literally think to the rhythm of music. Thanks to the presence of different weapons and items the player can adopt different "strategies". The fundamental element turns out to be it study of patterns of movement of monsters, to say the least essential to the most advanced difficulties.
More of the same themed Zelda?
Local multiplayer be praised! The game also offers the option to play with a friend. If you buy the game, call someone right away to play it together, maybe another Zelda fan!
I immediately answer the question: DO NOT, we are not absolutely faced with a more of the same, on the contrary. Sure, a lot of mechanics have been imported directly from Crypt of the Necrodancer, but in Cadence of Hyrule the game formula. While the former is a hard and pure rogue-like, Cadence of Hyrule is a real one zelda-like. Need cercare caves and ravines for the game map and solve little environmental puzzles thanks to the various objects found during the adventure. It practically passes from a game based exclusively on the exploration of procedural dungeons to one that instead focuses on the exploration of one built and detailed game map in 2D Zelda style. It is also full of references e citations to the saga and yes, even here they will cuddle you if you try to piss him off!
But the dungeons?
Obviously, however, it is not a Zelda if there are no gods dungeon worthy of this name *coff coff* true Breath of the Wild? *coff coff*. Unfortunately here too we are faced with dungeons that are anything but memorable. THE 5 dungeons of the title are mainly composed of several Procedural "plans" of a Crypt of the NecroDancer style dungeon linked together by very small and very simple environmental puzzles. I could write you a whole paragraph about why the last dungeon is the best but I put down the spoiler weapon to allow you to discover it in total autonomy! Mention of merit, however, goes to boss, really funny to face, pleasant in design and with some ost definitely TOO catchy!
Love letter to Koji Kondo…. more or less
From Youtube to Hyrule FamilyJules and Nicolas Daoust, guitarist and voice of the merchant respectively, both have a youtube channel. If you like the game ost, I absolutely recommend that you follow them!
Few video game sagas can boast a soundtrack of the same level as The Legend of Zelda. The bulk of goosebumps melodies e epic rhythms left by Kondo first and then by his "subordinates" is damn huge. If you don't know the figure of Koji Kondo I suggest you read this old monograph on his career! I guess the guys at Brace Yourself Games have heard a little weight of all this. Wise in fact the decision was that of mix up some songs from Zelda with others from their previous title. The result though sometimes leaves something to be desired; in some places like the Lost Woods for example we will not find the classic Saria's song but an original piece. For heaven's sake, fantastic and pressing, but a bit of a bitterness in the mouth remains. Despite this the ost of the game is without a doubt memorable, full of reminders and gifts to the series but also excellent original virtuosity. I swear, this stuff doesn't come out of my head anymore! The greatest merit of all, however, is to demonstrate with each note how much it was all done with love and respect towards this legendary saga.
✓ Fun and dynamic gameplay
✓ Thrilling soundtrack ... x ... despite some shortcomings
x Uneven plot
x Not very original dungeons
