We reviewed Highwater within the wake of its massive 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 type of expertise solely video video games can ship. Even when a few of it flaws turn 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 a variety of sense when you notice this can be a port of a cell recreation. Its chapters are deliciously brief and your complete recreation is greatest described as lo-fi tracks to look at the world finish. It is a visible feast with immaculate vibes nevertheless it falls brief in its translation to the massive display screen. What works in brief 5-10 minute play classes within the bus or on break, would not maintain up once you’re enjoying 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 fashion. You play Nikos, a survivor who alongside along with his associates is planning a swift escape from what’s left of our now even bluer, pale blue dot. The aim is evident, money in all of the goodwill he has collected with the leftover residents of Alphaville and make it to Mars on one of many final rockets leaving the planet.
The setup is unbelievable, the vibes out of this world however Highwater looks like a recreation restraint by its scope and preliminary launch platform. Its world tries to promote you on a laid-back type of apocalypse the place folks stay within the sunken ruins of a as soon as mighty civilization with the same old quantity of warring factions and colourful characters.
Characters, moments, and areas are by no means given sufficient time to breathe. All the pieces simply occurs so quick, characters elude to occasions or relationships that solely exist to have the plot transfer alongside at a brisk tempo. This can be a disgrace as a result of Highwater presents a colourful, chill tackle a post-apocalyptic world that I’d’ve liked 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 not grown bored of Highwater’s greens, grays, and blues but however I can see them carrying skinny on anybody who desires 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 associates in small kerfuffles throughout town.
Credit score the place credit score is due, whereas the fight system is pretty easy, every encounter is its personal puzzle to resolve. 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 contemporary and memorable even when a few of them take a bit too lengthy for my style.
There’s additionally this little concern the place there are a variety 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 together with your atmosphere. I’d’ve liked it if characters and enemies had a bit extra depth to them.
Whereas these fight puzzles are enjoyable to resolve, it hardly ever makes a distinction which character you are enjoying. I might 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 might simply make a few of them sacrificial lambs.
An analogous factor goes for its story, it has the correct setup and all of the instruments to succeed however the characters appear so detached and nonchalant concerning the issues occurring round them that it is laborious 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 greatest moments are once you navigate on a ship by the ruined metropolis whereas its unbelievable unique 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 assets to deliver residence and I feel I like that model extra.
And I am undecided if that is simply on me. All the pieces I’ve seen and gamers is nice, generally even nice nevertheless it barely stands out at the back of my thoughts. However once you’re on that boat and Highwater Pirate Radio blares within the background, there’s actually nothing prefer it.
Highwater Rating – 6/10
You may have the ability to inform that I am actually conflicted about Highwater. I do not know if and the way I can suggest this recreation even on the 20$ USD worth level. It is fantastic, it is inoffensive at worst however should you do not vibe with its vibe, you will not prefer it.
And for the reason that recreation is free on the cellphone for anybody with a Netflix subscription, I’d somewhat suggest you test this one out as an alternative. It is fantastic on console and PC, do not get me flawed nevertheless 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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