Afterimage (First Impressions)

Developer: Aurogon Shanghai

Publisher: Modus Games

Released: 25 APR, 2023

Price: $22 USD

I believe there are a numerous amount of Metroidvania games available in many different forms, making it harder to enjoy specific types over others.

Some of these games let you utilize iframes or dashes to phase through adversaries, while others are more like the classics, where taking damage is something you have to avoid actively rather than utilizing a dodge or parry.

It's preferable to approach these games with an open mind rather than trying to compare them to previous "better" titles, so you can enjoy them for what they are in their own right.

Problems

Iframes

As previously stated, I believe it is critical to approach games with an open mind rather than attempting to compare it to similar games with specific features.

This game has a dash. However, it doesn't do much but keep your distance from an enemy. You can't dash past targets, if you become pressed against a wall or anything else, you will take damage because you will be be capable of dodging.

This is what the majority of the negative feedback is about. I suppose it would have made more sense not to include a dash if the only method to prevent damage is to keep distance from the enemies or to jump and dash over them.

This has no effect on the game. You can still play and proceed through it with confidence. It's simply annoying if you play a lot of games that allow you to dash or run through enemies rather than battle them all because they block your path.

Talents feel... restrictive

This completely surprised me. This is really beyond my comprehension.

I gain additional talent points, but I can't use any of them because certain perks need me to achieve an outrageously high level to unlock them. I'm only level 20, yet I have 8 levels of points saved up and I can't use them until I am level 25.

Even if you put points into your initial option at level 1, the following level at which you can activate that specific trait or benefit ranges from level 25-60.

It makes no sense, and the sense of rewarding growth is lost because you're forced to grind to reach a higher level in order to obtain these perks, while also seeking out strong weapons in hidden locations like a scavenger hunt.

To put it another way, if you want to get stronger, it doesn't matter what level you are; instead, you need to obtain better gear and weapons and infuse them with power to increase their stats. I believe it would make more sense to redo this system at least to create a more rewarding leveling system where you have talent points to spend as you level up in a timely manner rather than big gaps.

Backtracking

To be honest, I don't mind this.

It allows you to spend some more time looking for everything you missed on your second go through an area you've already been through. However, the usage of a consumable which seems to be very rare and valuable, allows you to teleport anywhere that you've unlocked a tree. This acts as a severe limiter.

If you haven't found multiple consumables, you'll have to walk a long distance back to where you started instead of being able to teleport to the location by spending souls or something more convenient, especially if you go back to the beginning of the game after going through the first 4 or 5 biomes.

Gameplay

It's not terrible

I've played about 3 hours of the game so far, and while it's useful and has its ups and downs, it's not what some people make it out to be.

It's a little clumsy because you can't escape damage by fully evading an attack, but you'll get used to it, and if you don't, you'll just keep taking damage for no other reason than the inconvenience of not being able to dodge.

Overall it's a very relaxing, albeit it a bit frustrating at times.

Presentation

Fantastic

Normally, I have problems with most games when I first pick them up and play through them, but in this case, the visual style and audio blend beautifully and stand as one, rather than feeling out of place.

Each Biome is distinct and different, and there are very few elements that are reused. That is, as you continue through the game, the adversaries and world will get more diversified, so the game never feels dull or repetitive.

The game is also fully voiced in English, Chinese, and Japanese, providing you a plethora of options for voice actors with the option to disable voices if you prefer.

Conclusion

The game is pretty good thus far

While the game does have a few issues that will either not be addressed or may be addressed in the future, the basic gameplay and functionality of the game is fully operational. It would be nice to see in the future a bit more polish, but I don't think they would really want to put in the extra work to make those changes.

Regardless, it's a decent and visually appealing Metroidvania game so far.

I'll have more to say about the game as I start acquiring more weapons and armor throughout the game while also battling bosses and secret bosses, especially once I get used to the inability to dodge between opponents.

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