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We reviewed Highwater within the wake of its huge console/PC launch. Listed here are our prolonged ideas on this post-apocalyptic high-seas journey.
It took some time however Demagog Studio’s watersoaked journey lastly made it onto consoles and PCs after its preliminary launch on cell platforms in 2022. And whereas it nonetheless feels very very similar to a port of a title for a a lot smaller display screen, Highwater is the form of expertise solely video video games can ship. Even when a few of it flaws change into extra obtrusive on the massive display screen.
So right here is our Evaluate of Highwater.
*Reviewed on PlayStation 5, Copy was Supplied by the Writer*
Highwater Evaluate
Highwater makes quite a lot of sense when you understand it is a port of a cell recreation. Its chapters are deliciously brief and all the recreation is finest described as lo-fi tracks to observe the world finish. It is a visible feast with immaculate vibes however it falls brief in its translation to the massive display screen. What works briefly 5-10 minute play classes within the bus or on break, does not maintain up while you’re taking part in by it in hour-long sittings.
However let’s begin from the highest. Highwater is an journey RPG factor the place you boat across the remnants of the sunken metropolis of Alphaville Waterworld type. You play Nikos, a survivor who alongside together with his buddies is planning a swift escape from what’s left of our now even bluer, pale blue dot. The objective is obvious, money in all of the goodwill he has amassed with the leftover residents of Alphaville and make it to Mars on one of many final rockets leaving the planet.
The setup is implausible, the vibes out of this world however Highwater looks as if a recreation restraint by its scope and preliminary launch platform. Its world tries to promote you on a laid-back form of apocalypse the place individuals stay within the sunken ruins of a as soon as mighty civilization with the standard quantity of warring factions and colourful characters.
Characters, moments, and areas are by no means given sufficient time to breathe. Every little thing simply occurs so quick, characters elude to occasions or relationships that solely exist to have the plot transfer alongside at a brisk tempo. It is a disgrace as a result of Highwater presents a colourful, chill tackle a post-apocalyptic world that I might’ve cherished to discover extra.
You discover this world principally by boat or in small areas you get to discover. There is not a lot to search out however the occasional newspaper or e-book makes for good collectibles in between story beats. I have never grown bored of Highwater’s greens, grays, and blues but however I can see them carrying skinny on anybody who needs to marathon this title.
Then there’s the fight, a pleasant tackle tactical RPG fight with none of the leveling and development you often see within the style. You get to play as Nikos and his many buddies in small kerfuffles throughout the town.
Credit score the place credit score is due, whereas the fight system is pretty easy, every encounter is its personal puzzle to unravel. In an deserted storage home you get to know over cabinets whereas one other encounter has you make use of a random bear assault. This retains encounters recent and memorable even when a few of them take a little bit too lengthy for my style.
There’s additionally this little subject the place there are quite a lot of characters playable in several conditions, they don’t seem to be too completely different from one another since most encounters may be solved by interacting along with your surroundings. I might’ve cherished it if characters and enemies had a little bit extra depth to them.
Whereas these fight puzzles are enjoyable to unravel, it not often makes a distinction which character you are taking part in. I would usually end an encounter with one or two characters in my celebration useless, however because you’re solely defeated if all of them fall in battle I may simply make a few of them sacrificial lambs.
An analogous factor goes for its story, it has the suitable setup and all of the instruments to succeed however the characters appear so detached and nonchalant in regards to the issues occurring round them that it is arduous to be engaged. Nikos is a clean slate, barely an individual in addition to being vaguely charming. The shortage of any stakes or tonally constant world.
The saving grace of this recreation which might in any other case land within the “It is alright”-bin is its immaculate vibes. Its finest moments are while you navigate on a ship by the ruined metropolis whereas its implausible authentic soundtrack drips round within the background. I can simply think about a model of this title that is simply boating round city to the music whereas scavenging for sources to carry dwelling and I feel I like that model extra.
And I am unsure if that is simply on me. Every little thing I’ve seen and gamers is nice, typically even nice however it barely stands out behind my thoughts. However while you’re on that boat and Highwater Pirate Radio blares within the background, there’s actually nothing prefer it.
Highwater Rating – 6/10
You would possibly have the ability to inform that I am actually conflicted about Highwater. I do not know if and the way I can advocate this recreation even on the 20$ USD worth level. It is tremendous, it is inoffensive at worst however if you happen to do not vibe with its vibe, you will not prefer it.
And for the reason that recreation is free on the telephone for anybody with a Netflix subscription, I might somewhat advocate you test this one out as a substitute. It is tremendous on console and PC, do not get me unsuitable however it’s clear that this is not its goal platform, and until you actually dig what it is placing up, you will end up drifting in a mire of mediocrity.
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