As someone who has traversed countless pixelated landscapes and slain countless mythical beasts, I must admit that Marko: Beyond Brave left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. While its hand-drawn visuals are undeniably charming, the gameplay mechanics seemed to have been lifted straight from a treasure trove of forgotten Metroidvania relics.
These days, games set in Norse or Greek mythology are quite common, so when I come across titles exploring less frequented lore, I pay special attention. For instance, modern developers are increasingly focusing on Slavic folklore, as evidenced by games like Blacktail and Gord that offer immersive, atmospheric experiences. The latest indie game to grab my interest is Marko: Beyond Brave, a Metroidvania-style adventure developed by Studio Mechka.
At first glance, it’s strikingly vivid, featuring homemade illustrations and fluid animations that significantly enhance my initial perception. As the main character Marko, the last of three brave brothers who ventured to protect their village against a monstrous mutation, you’ll embark on an adventure filled with leaps, slashes, and puzzles to save your world from Entropy, a malignant force gradually consuming the land.
Beyond Brave as it doesn’t offer anything particularly original or memorable in its genre. Unfortunately, it also contains a few errors along the way.
Initially, the map can be frustrating due to its small size and lack of clarity regarding one’s location and intended destination. The pathways don’t seem to flow smoothly from one level to another, making it simple to lose your way.
The platforming aspect of the game isn’t very beneficial, as it manages to feel rigid and awkward despite the graceful character animations. A significant part of this discomfort comes from the jumping mechanic, which consistently fails to provide a sense of accomplishment. I found myself repeating simple jumps numerous times because Marko simply couldn’t grab the ledge, even though he had reached the same ledge previously. The game doesn’t always indicate where you should be jumping, resulting in some aggravating deaths. Additionally, while new traversal moves are introduced throughout the story, they lack the novelty and excitement that one would expect.
In this game, fighting isn’t particularly easy to master. Initially, you can perform a sword combo for basic attacks, and eventually, you’ll gain the power to hurl polearms at enemies from a distance. As you advance, additional combos and abilities will be made available, but even so, the hitboxes in this game are tricky – especially when battling bosses. Occasionally, an enemy attack can reach you from a range where it seemed safe earlier, and sometimes your attacks won’t connect with them even if they appear to be close by.
Initially, I encountered an enormous frog serving as the main adversary, whose tongue stretches nearly across the entire display area. To evade its long, sticky appendage, you’ll need to jump skillfully. At first, it was aggravating because the tongue would remain extended just enough for me to land on it during my descent, causing harm. Although this encounter seemed simple, the awkward timing made it seem harder than expected. It took me three attempts to defeat it, which left me with a slight sense of apprehension about what challenges lay ahead.
In battles, Marko’s unique abilities rely on his attribute called Courage, which also aids in healing. Notably, you can only acquire Courage by striking opponents, and it doesn’t replenish at safe spots. Here’s an interesting twist: certain foes and obstacles can be tackled solely with the use of Courage. If your Courage depletes, there’s no other choice but to retrace your steps and defeat more enemies to regain it. This design choice often led to frustration, resulting in quite a few sighs and eye-rolls.
Marko: While Beyond Brave boasts an appealing visual style, it falls short in other areas. It’s not a terrible game, yet questionable design elements and awkward combat and platforming significantly diminish its appeal. If you’re yearning for a fresh Metroidvania experience, it can pass the time innocuously for a few hours. However, with numerous alternatives available, it’s challenging to wholeheartedly endorse it.
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2024-09-19 11:46