The generous fast travel system combined with few overall mobility unlocks makes for an unusually smooth world traversal experience. The compact size of the maps, on the other hand, is less of a clear-cut positive. From gloomy castles to crab-infested hellscapes, Elderand strikes a wonderful balance of familiar fantasy environments more experimental locales.Īn example of the beautiful landscapes Elderand has to offer. Indeed, the sheer aesthetic quality and variety you encounter over your playthrough are among Elderand’s greatest strengths. However, the land of Elderand itself is a fairly interesting setting to explore, if for no other reason than the eye candy that it offers. Indirect and environmental storytelling is the main way Elderand tries to invest players in its lore, but little of it truly kept my interest when I played.

This is about as much direct exposition as you’re going to get till you finish the game six to ten hours later. You take on the role of a nameless mercenary who might be able to save this land. A mysterious entity known as Sserthis has tarnished an ancient land.

But in the steadily growing sea of metroidvanias, Elderand barely makes a splash. It controls wonderfully, has a host of different locales with vibrant art direction, features a decent OST, and includes all the mechanics and gameplay tropes one might expect from a modern metroidvania. On a fundamental level, Elderand is a “decent” game.

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