Armikrog Reviews
As an existing fan of Doug TenNapel's previous work, I'm very happy that Armikrog is finally available for console.
Developer Pencil Test put so many time making a unique and beautiful game that other parts are a little neglected. Armikrog is a game that gamers can and will love, you just have to live with the few shortcomings.
When I started playing Armikrog I didn't know what to expect, and I've always said that when going into games that I have no knowledge about other than some screenshots, I should expect the unexpected, and I have to admit, that is exactly what I got.
Hardcore adventure game fans will still enjoy themselves here, but poor players dipping their toes into this genre for first time will be left scratching their heads, not from the puzzles, but due to the lack of fun found herein.
Armikrog is a somewhat functional game that is unfortunately full of archaic game design, half-baked ideas, glitches galore, insultingly repetitive puzzles, and unrealized potential.
I had fun with the game, but I had just as much frustration with it, too. As it stands, if you're a diehard P&C fan or you have an in with the creators or actors, you'll probably find something to like. If you don't fall into those camps, you wouldn't be hurting yourself waiting for a price drop or sequel before diving into this one. And that saddens me to say.
On PC Armikrog would be a slightly better experience. It struggles to make the transition to controller well and the subtitles are still sized for a PC monitor rather than a television screen. It's hard to really pinpoint what would make Armikrog a better game as there's so many issues with it. There is a definite charm to it though, thanks to the visuals and audio that make it a pleasant experience when you're not stuck on a tedious puzzle. It's just a shame that the game feels so dated and the tedious puzzles are far too frequent.
With a little more financial support and a lot more play-testing, Armikrog could have been something special. As it stands, however, it seems incomplete.
Armikrog is a bit of a diamond in the rough. It's rough and it's a bit awkward but it's a solid choice if you're after a bit of console pointing and clicking. Just don't go into it expecting a 90s style adventure game with witty dialogue out the wazoo and plenty of items to rub on other items at your leisure. This is a very focused title and it both benefits and suffers for that.
Thank God for Kickstarter which helped to create this graphically beautiful and funny game. Older players will reminiscence of their childhood and remember the hours spent on Neverhood, the younger ones may discover a great, and a bit forgotten, genre of point & click adventure games.
Review in Slovak | Read full review