Phoenotopia: Awakening Reviews
There's quite a bit about Phoenotopia Awakening that comes across as enjoyable.
Lots of care has gone into the creation of this game, and it shows with the gorgeous graphics and atmospheric soundtrack. It's a game that feels vast, and a slow burn experience for the patient gamer. It's possible that its difficulty will take some time to get used to, but it's worth persevering with this truly rewarding and excellent game. Phoenotopia: Awakening is a thoughtful, coherent game which, if you click with it, doesn't lose a step. A marvellous surprise.
Nonetheless, I found myself largely enamored with Phoenotopia Awakening. Its often humorous and sometimes sentimental dialogue got through to me, and its challenging but tight platforming action really appealed. I'm a little bit weary from my trek through its expansive campaign, but I'm satisfied all the same. It's an aesthetically pleasing, unforgivingly mean, but an altogether lovingly assembled experience.
Phoenotopia: Awakening has a highly inviting look, but the gameplay can't match the tone. Some ill-fitting decisions work against it, and the emphasis isn't always where it should be. It's still an ambitious, impressive indie adventure that demonstrates real passion, but one reflecting growing pains.
Discover a world born anew in Phoenotopia: Awakening. Set several generations after a great war wiped out most of humanity, step into the shoes of Gail, a young woman living in a secluded section of the new world. When aliens come down and abduct the majority of her family, it sets in motion something far bigger than any of them could imagine.
Overall Phoenotopia is a very beautiful looking game that does well at hiding its punishing difficulty, whilst people who are looking for a Zelda 2 style game may be attracted to this title, the more causal amongst us will find it very difficult to enjoy the later aspects of the game where in truth the game gets easier.
A very nostalgic-style RPG with cute art and an interesting story. If you're looking for something new yet old-school-inspired with occasional notes of goofiness, this is a game for you. Definitely consider giving it a try.
The visuals and atmosphere at first seem standard as far as pixelated indie games go, but it does have more going on than it may initially suggest. Things start out very bright and colourful, like most Ghibli-inspired indie titles tend to be, but Phoenotopia: Awakening has a much darker side to it. There are some weirdly chilling moments and well directed sequences that build a profound sense of unease and alienation. There are some surprises within that may shock people who dismiss this as another generic Zelda II clone. The team behind this is not afraid to get dark and to show a little teeth.
All told, Phoenotopia: Awakening could probably use a little more REM sleep to get some much-needed editing in.
I think the word that best describes my experience with Phoenotopia: Awakening is “captivating”. It's a massive, enjoyable, warm, beautiful, polished, challenging and thought-provoking adventure that encourages exploration and rewards curiosity. It deserves the full attention of anyone who enjoys digging through 2D adventures to enjoy every detail.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Phoenotopia: Awakening is somewhat affected by its non-stick fights and bad controls, but that's not a reason to ignore its thirty hours of fun and beauty.
Review in Persian | Read full review
"Dark Souls of Zelda clones?"
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Overall, Phoenotopia: Awakening is a game that is really worth checking out if you enjoy RPGs. There is a lot to this game that is guaranteed to keep you entertained and pushing forward in the story, especially at its price point. Right now, it is just being released in North America and only in the English language but they already have plans to have a delayed release in the other Nintendo territories a couple weeks after the North American release. If you are not in the United States, Canada, or Mexico, keep your eyes peeled for an official release date for your area because Phoenotopia: Awakening is not a game you want to miss!