OtC – Emberwind

A fair while ago a friend of mine showed me a game he and some others were working on. It was a pretty simple old school 2D side scroller. I played through the first 4 levels of this baby and I wanted more. Sadly I had to wait for the finished product because this was really a side project for these guys and real life work got in the way. Occasionally I would ask the question, is it done yet, until finally, to my delight, Erik says, play this and tell me what you think. Here goes mate, I will not be kind.

The story is as such. The city of Grendale is under attack by gremlins. You, as Kindle, armed with your cane and flanked by your trusty owl companion, Wick, have to save the kingdom. This basically involves you lighting lamps and fire-places to keep the pesky gremlins away. You also club the crap out of a heap of gremlins in the process with the help of the occasional brownie (fairy that is, not food).

Lets fire it up

Enough of the story, let’s talk gameplay! Emberwind plays like the classic 2D side scrollers from the 90’s with the arrow keys moving in all directions and space bar to smack things. The only extra key used is ctrl which allows you to interact with objects or tell your fireflies to find hidden items and entrances. The level structure is pretty straight forward with you either being able to run and gun it or take your time to explore for more reward. I thoroughly recommend exploring though.

Map goodness

You find some nice extra skills and power ups for just a little more time invested. Besides, it’s fun! Be sure to check for secret levels too!The world map is easy to navigate, if a little linear but you can move back and forth through the levels you’ve already completed and give them another shot.

We I started to play, the first and foremost feeling was nostalgia. I used to play these games all the time when I was younger, whether it be an arcade or the computer. I found it so easy to just fall into the old feeling of jump, smack, grab; which leads me to my next favourite thing – gremlin smashing. There is nothing more satisfying than smacking a gremlin. That terrified squeal as they get caned in the face or the surprised look after incineration. Brownies place throughout the levels make this even more interesting and fun. There are several different types of Brownie, each with a different special ability. My favourite was the whirlwind and fire dude. Nothing funnier than a whole line of gremlins getting thrown into the air by a miniature tornado then waiting for them to land 1 by 1 and smacking em in the head.

Boss fights are handled a little differently to other games with a quasi tug of war going on between you and the boss.

Boss fight tug o war

Everytime a hit is scored the balance tips in their favour. So rather than dying after a couple of smacks, a fight can be more drawn out and a little more interesting. Though there were times when I felt the tug of war was a pain in the arse as I kept taking damage and not quite putting the bad guy away.

But there were things that I hated and this wouldn’t be a review if I didn’t find some hate.

Though the gameplay is easy enough to learn there are still some issues that will annoy. Sometimes when Kindle gets excited he tends to run, add a jump to this run and he rolls into a ball. This in itself is fun, even useful, until you end up rolling across the screen and into the water to drown or amongst the bad guys to get the crap kicked out of you. Very uncool.

Let's play hide the gnome

I have a love/hate relationship with water. I love the way it changes the sound when you submerse, music included, but I hate the way it punishes you for a missed step. I understand it is part of the game but there were times when I called Kindle a few choice words along with the dev’s name (I’m looking at you Chris!). A leap of faith at the wrong time can cost you time sanity and perhaps that favourite Brownie you were towing around. I also found myself being lost in the scenery from time to time, mainly foreground stuff with railings where bad guys lie in wait; like ships. Danger to those who jump with gay abandoned to suddenly realise you’re amongst the bad guys.

I have to say that despite these things I enjoyed the game and I’m not saying that because a mate made it (unmarked bills please). The good definitely outweighs the bad without a doubt. It is colourful without assaulting

Fat lewts FTW!

the senses, sound is epic when it needs to be and the dialogue can hand you a few laughs from time to time.

Overall Emberwind is a solid game. It may not be in the league of Shadow Complex or have the annoying time mechanic that Braid has but it is a solid little game. It is perfect for an oldie like me looking for nostalgia or something for the youngsters that is easy and safe to play. Two thumbs up and nice work guys.