If you have ever dreamed of playing a 2D metroidvania with the structure of Hollow Knight and the aesthetics of Laputa - Castle in the Sky, one of Hayao Miyazaki's masterpieces, then Vernal Edge is your video game. There are those who say that pixel art is tiring, but we disagree because when done well it gives off a retro charm that contributes significantly to the effectiveness of the atmosphere created by the developers.
It is evident that in the game developed by Hello penguin and published by PID Games there are many mechanics similar to Team Cherry's metroidvania. More than a copy and paste, however, it seems that the developer used that model to familiarize the platform mechanics and those related to combat. We also appreciated the ability to choose the difficulty level to make the game more accessible and less frustrating when necessary.
From the combat system to the atmosphere, this game surprised us thanks to a non-linear progression system and a very low use of recoil that made the exploration of this floating universe always new and varied. In this Spring Border Review We explain why, in our opinion, this game is the best way to train and enjoy a good story while you wait for the sequel to Hollow Knight: Silksong.
the castle in the sky
There's no way around it, Vernal Edge It appears to be set in the world of Laputa - Castle in the Sky, the cult film by the master of Japanese animation Hayao Miyazaki. The different maps of the game are floating islands that for unknown reasons have begun to rise in the sky after a cataclysmic event, our adventure companion is a scientist locked in the body of a robot who has lost his memory and the technology present in the game is the reflection of a brilliant past now fallen into ruins. If you loved that retro futuristic aesthetic with a touch of decadence and medieval armor then you will feel at home in this game because rarely from such an obvious reference has a product emerged that is both different and familiar with respect to the material in the that was inspired. .
La history is one of the most classic: players take on the role of Vernal, a girl who has a mission to find and kill her father, one of the most famous scientists in the universe, who seems to have caused her unforgivable harm. There is also a mysterious cult that has taken power on the floating islands and is determined to stop Vernal, whatever the cost. To complicate everything, our heroine is armed with a mythical sword, a powerful relic from the past that tempts all of her enemies who, evidently, want to seize her by any means. The narrative unfolds in a non-linear way, like exploration, although, due to some progression blocks, there are certain obstacles to overcome or skills to acquire in order to move from one macro area to the next.
At the point of a sword
Looking at the combat system, the Similarities to Hollow Knight they become more evident. Killing the smaller enemies (one of which looks like something straight out of Team Cherry's masterpiece) is the only way to recover any health lost between save points. Our main weapon, the mythical sword, can hit in the four canonical directions but also in the diagonals, activating the slide. By killing the most powerful enemies, we will receive in-game currency with which to buy upgrades for both the sword and our techno-magical abilities.
In addition to health, in fact, we will have an energy bar (which recharges over time) to launch weapons. Offensive and defensive technological spells.. A maximum of 4 can be equipped at a time and we recommend a controller to make the most of them. The last aspect of combat is tied to one of the game's most important narrative themes: memory. Vernal has a kind of RAM with a fixed number of slots that can accommodate passive modifiers. One of the first you unlock will transform your dodge into an attack that will damage enemies and take up 3 of the 5 available spaces. With experience, exploration and credits you can increase the available RAM and activate more passive modifiers to do more damage or be more resistant, shaping the game according to your needs.
Old-fashioned exploration
Like any metroidvania worth its salt, Vernal Edge also features layered, challenging and fun exploration. Many of the platform mechanics present will be familiar to fans of the genre, while those who have to face a game of this type for the first time will find themselves a challenge. Coordination and concentration are needed and the lack of frequent save points means that You could even lose 10 or 15 minutes of play. if your life bar reaches zero. Some jumping and dodging sections are mandatory to reach the item, skill or enemy needed to continue, but most are optional and hide at the end a new spell, a disk fragment to expand your RAM or a heart fragment to increase Your Health.
Where the game let us down a little is in the management of the most difficult and impossible to escape combat moments. If Hollow Knight had a large number of unique and iconic bosses at its disposal, Vernal Edge, for the first 4 or 5 hours of the game, places the protagonist in front of closed rooms filled with the usual enemies found in exploration with a little more health. or an additional stunning orb. In fact, to defeat an enemy more quickly, it is possible to stun them, which will make them more vulnerable to damage and briefly render them harmless. To do this, it is essential to know how to use Vernal's charged shots that are activated by holding down the attack button. While in flight, it is possible to deal up to three hits while remaining suspended in the air, but be careful because it is not possible to jump a second time after attacking, so be careful where you plan to land. It doesn't matter if you prefer combat, exploration or a fishing minigame that ate two hours of your life, whatever you do you will be accompanied by a beautiful soundtrack techno-fantasy. Here Vernal Edge has managed to concentrate the essence of its retro-futuristic setting to create a truly iconic and never boring collection of music.
Conclusions
Tested version Xbox Series X digital delivery Steam, epic games store, GoG, playstation store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop Price 16,99 € Holygamerz.com 7.5 Readers (2) 8.5 your voteVernal Edge is a good metroidvania with an intriguing, if not very original, story, very solid exploration and combat mechanics, and an innovative progression system that will allow you to navigate between the islands of a floating archipelago aboard a flying galleon. The aesthetic references to Miyazaki's Laputa - Castle in the Sky are many and if you are a fan of the film and its atmosphere you will love this game. The features similar to those of Hollow Knight may be too much in the eyes of some but we do not find them to the detriment of the originality of the work with which we spent more than 20 hours. The stellar soundtrack mixed with the retro-futuristic setting makes Vernal Edge an experience that Metroidvania lovers cannot miss, especially if they are looking for a title with deep equipment customization possibilities and a narrative of personal growth and discovery of a lost past and technology. While you wait for Silksong, this adventure will keep you pleasantly busy.
PRO
- Retro-futuristic setting inspired by Miyazaki
- Responsive and customizable combat system
- Epic soundtrack
AGAINST
- Many features taken from Hollow Knight
- Few truly memorable bosses
- Some camera shots
