AER: Memories of Old Reviews
AER: Memories of Old is a game for people that liked the sailing in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, but didn't like the actual gameplay part of it.
AER: Memories of Old completely fails as a traditional adventure game. The thing is, though, that it never wanted to be one, as it mainly throws its weight in atmosphere and storytelling - in other words, it wants to be a captivatingly emotive journey. Sadly, it fails at that, too.
AER is trying so hard to look like those beloved games from which it is being inspired, but fails to do so. The game is filled with bugs and do not tell us an interesting story all along. Even though some aerial moments are quite a delight, the total lack of wind is incomprehensible, as the rest of the gameplay. Why would you want to play this ? We are still looking for an answer.
Review in French | Read full review
AER's calm atmosphere and laid-back gameplay make it decent chill pill, though its intriguing narrative and lore winds up being wasted.
AER Memories of Old is an attempt to make a beautiful story with breathtaking flights and an interesting outset, which, unfortunately, almost immediately causes irritation and yawning due to terrible navigation, bad controls and other mistakes of young developers . Perhaps in the future creators of this game will be able to offer something interesting, but now AER Memories of Old looks like some very early concept, which not passed through focus group.
Review in Russian | Read full review
When AER: Memories of Old is focused on soaring through the skies, or tackling a multi-room temple puzzle, it's at its best. The rest of the time it fails to register much interest in its lackluster story and world.
The three hours I had playing AER were fun, but I won’t have any everlasting memories of this game, and neither will I probably remember what even happened a few days from now. A forgettable experience that had plenty of opportunities to be more.
At its core, I understand what AER: Memories of Old was trying to do. AER has a deep story to tell and it has a beautiful way that it wants to do it, but it never manages to marry those ideas. Wanton exploration with little-to-no real payoff becomes a chore—a beautiful chore sure, but a chore nonetheless. There are only so many times I can shift back and forth between bird and human midair before I need something else to drive my engagement. Telling the story through environment, providing better direction, and rewarding extensive exploration are just a few things that could have really helped AER to escape the high res, low poly shell that it is, but AER: Memories of Old is simply too empty to feel like anything more.
AER: Memories of Old makes a strong first impression with its lovely art style and lofty goals, but the experience often has its wings clipped by a shallow premise, serious performance issues, and not enough content in the areas at which it excels.
AER: Memories of Old teases its potential with some amusing bits - namely the rich atmosphere and the bliss that comes with soaring through the skies as a bird. Still, it feels a bit like Zelda-meets-Myst - with much less detail or interaction. Tough to recommend, unless you find great value in a characteristically passive, serene adventure game.
AER is at its best whilst flying through the sky with little care in the world for the extra tasks the game demands.
Ironically, AER Memories of Old doesn't leave much of a lasting impression. It feels like a prototype you might show a publisher to convince them to fund a full game. What's here is charming, but it feels underbaked compared to the games it patterns itself after. If you're looking for a laid-back Zelda-like adventure and don't mind spending $15 for a single play session, AER Memories of Old is a pleasant-enough distraction, just don't expect to be swept off your feet.
Aer is a pretty game, but ultimately there's little to do and not much to compel you on
The game is centered around exploration and discovery as Auk transforms into a bird to soar over floating islands and illuminates sleeping temples with her lantern.
Mixing a unique art style, tranquil moments you'll spend in flight, and some middling puzzle platforming, AER has some elements that work better than others...
AER: Memories of Old is a wonder to behold with solid flight mechanics and a beautiful art style. It's a shame the story, dungeon exploration, and lack of things to do hinder the final product.
I very much enjoyed my time with AER Memories of Old. It's not perfect; it's a little on the short side, its puzzles are a bit lacklustre, and it has an overt religious message — although if anything, that it adds to the world that AER creates.
The first time you encounter one of the Temple guardians will definitely wow you. Their design is so unique, outlandish and interesting that it is bound to impress, and then do so twice more as you meet all three of them.
AER: Memories of old is perfectly fine, but it could have been something wonderful.
Aer Memories of Old is a beatiful game. A place to come back from time to time to enjoy a flight. Forgotten Key has created a complex tiniy world explained well and full of little secret but, at the end it feels small and we want more and more.
Review in Spanish | Read full review