Unepic Reviews
Unepic is a funny, unrelenting homage to classic adventure games and RPGs despite some holdover shortcomings.
Unepic is an enjoyable retro style action RPG. It has not gotten the attention or acclaim of some more recent retro style 2D platformers such as Axiom Verge or Shovel Knight, but fans of that style of gameplay should give this one a look. It doesn't reinvent the Metroidvania style of game, but the developer is obviously a fan of the format and the effort in creating a quality game to pay homage to old school games is apparent.
If you threw a party and invited all of the adventure/roleplaying games along, Unepic would be the one in the center of the room blurting out jokes, laughing too loudly and making sarcastic comments about all of the other guests.
With much to explore and so many ways of storming the castle's inhabitants, Unepic is a fun and well-designed challenge for those who enjoy platformers and yon hefty olde RPG feel. Its tight and rewarding core makes it a quest that can be enjoyed along with, or even in spite of, its cheekier sense of humour.
Originally a PC release, the Wii U is a fine platform for Unepic, and it's another worthwhile addition to the eShop library. It can be quite frustratingly difficult at times, and the constant geeky references to everything from Star Wars to the worlds of Gary Gygax may not sit well with everyone – one particular misfiring side quest involving bureaucrats may be enough to turn off some gamers – but for those who enjoy old school platform action, this generously sized Spanish-crafted effort will be manna from heaven.
Unepic probably won't be for everyone with its Metroidvania style and death prone areas, but once you get stuck in, it is an enjoyable experience. The skill system is simple but complex enough for those who like RPG's and the boss battles are memorable and exciting to witness. The castle itself is huge and there is plenty to see, so for the price there is a hefty amount of content. The requirements for the challenge related achievements is peculiar, but the completionists among us will forgive the developers as we roam through every nook and cranny, lighting up every torch and lamp that we see. There are so many indie titles that are available now and it's tough to shine above the rest when you're a 2D sidescroller like Unepic, but it is a worthy title in the ID@Xbox library and is a great throwback to those games of old.
In the end, Unepic would probably be a better adventure game. This twenty hour or so unabashedly old school RPG is frequently broken up by conversations between characters and these interactions are amusing enough to make the often finicky platforming and combat sections worth persevering with. As a whole, the game has enough charm to recommend to fans of the genre, and those that stick around will likely be impressed by the surprisingly deep RPG mechanics and the Metroidvania approach to level design. However, it's hard not to wonder if the quality of the writing on display here would be better served in a game with a stronger focus on storytelling.
There's really no way around it: Unepic is not very funny.
Unepic may lack the technical and graphical polish of its modern contemporaries, but the plethora of customization options and lengthy questing it features are more than enough to make up for its shortcomings.
Unepic is a liar. There — I said it. Why is it a liar? Well, look at the name — the game implies that it\'s \"unepic,\" but in actuality, this is one of the most epic quests seen on the Wii U eShop. The name actually helps set the tone because, while the gameplay is for the hardcore gamer, the game manages to lighten the tone with excellent and funny dialogue.
In many ways, it's in the upper echelon of indies. It has a level of professional polish that can't be overlooked.
An RPG wouldn't be complete without some kind of character development, and UnEpic does not falter, allowing you deeply customise abilities to suit your playing style
The [PS Vita] feels like the perfect home for [UnEpic's] combination of classic gameplay and pixelated 2D graphics
What I found on the other end of that start game button was a title that entranced me, that made me want to keep coming back. A world that is massive, but made traversing simple and fun. I wanted to explore Harnakon more and more.
Unepic is deliciously old-school and thoroughly addictive, but it feels like a snapshot of an earlier time and, as such, those who have never experienced the games that this is a love-letter to may find it hard to get on with. The writing is very hit and miss - mostly miss - but it tells a decent enough story, until its final act and the horrible endings… Ultimately, a fun but flawed experience.
Overall Unepic is a very fun and entertaining release that will keep you busy for dozens of hours as you explore every corner of the castle. As a release from a one-man team, this is an outstanding game that you have to play on your PlayStation 4. I really enjoyed playing for my Unepic review, especially since the game has a full trophy count with a Platinum!
Despite its flawed interface, Unepic is a very enjoyable title with a ton of content. There's easily twenty hours of gameplay available and the intricacies of the crafting and customisation options allow for a character perfectly honed to the player's taste. The retro art style and music will not appeal to everyone, but beneath that lies an interesting game with humorous dialogue, for sure.
'UnEpic' for the Wii U is a nice distraction, a change of pace between AAA titles. It is a reminder that videogames do not necessarily require huge budgets or cross-continent teams to be both successful and fun to play. Although the game doesn't introduce anything new in terms of game mechanics, it represents a new option for owners of the Wii U who may be struggling to find a reason to turn their consoles on. The utilitarian use of the gamepad elevates 'UnEpic' as a better than average port from the PC and serves as a proper item management tool. It's hard to argue against the $9.99 asking price based on the amount of time you can spend with 'UnEpic', just don't expect the experience to be overly memorable.
Unepic is a standard dungeon crawler with standard combat, enhanced by its goofy characters and story. If you're in the mood for a game that doesn't take itself too seriously, and don't mine the occasional weed/D&D/Star Wars joke, then Unepic might be for you. However, if you're looking for an engrossing RPG with deep mechanics, your time is likely best spent elsewhere.
Unepic may not stand out as one of the more original titles in the genre but it does what it sets out to do very well, offering plenty of addictive exploration, challenging combat and fairly in-depth character customisation. It comes highly recommended for RPG enthusiasts looking for a retro action-RPG with modern features at a fairly reasonable price of £8.99.