EARTHLOCK Review for PlayStation 4

Ready for a not so final fantasy? Earthlock is back and better than ever with a new updated final version of the game. Snowcastle Games took their time, 13 more months, and re-released a much better game.

Earthlock has has taken many Moonruns (in-game time unit) to get to this stage; starting with a successful crowdfunding campaign in April 2014, then “completing” and releasing the game in September 2016. The developers out of money and rushing to meet a deadline released the game; however, they didn’t feel like the game was done nor did they put out the game they dreamed about making. So they went back spending more than a year to add in what the game needed to stand out and polished what was already there, their time investment was worth it. This is a beautiful game with a lot to do outside of chasing the storyline.

Premise:

Adventure through the unique world of Umbra as a growing group of companions join you along the way. Umbra is stuck in an unspinning state due to a catastrophic event creating only a sliver of livable land between the unbearable scorching desert and the frozen tundra of the never ending night.

The game really starts with Amon and his uncle Benjo on a scavenging mission to collect some valuable artifacts. They discover a power magic that brings to life a long sealed temple. What they find in the temple leads to more trouble and danger than they could have known. Now Amon must rescue Uncle Benjo and defeat an ancient cult before its too late.

Gameplay:

While exploring Umbra the band of unlikely heroes are sure to encounter trouble, of course. Often entering into excellerating turn-based combat that is dependent on quickly augmenting strategy to fit the challenge at hand. Different characters offer varring and slightly overlapping skills that can be customized in a character progression tree allowing the player to customize each character’s strengths to complement the other members of the team. The group eventually totals six playable character using each one’s specialties to traverse the lands, but only four are allowed to fight at a time. The team of four comprises of two pairs who gain special perks and attacks from being paired together. Characters range in skills from ranged weapons, melee attacks, healing, buffing, shielding, and elemental magic. Ammunition, potions, and other healing medicines can be crafted from what is harvested out of a magical garden located on a secret island that the traveling friend’s will eventually call home. On the island also use individual character’s expertise to craft new weapons, create new skill cards, and find buried treasure. Gardening is very beneficial and can actually become mildly addicting too. As grinding in the garden can lead to better ammo, potions, and money which relieves some of the pressures of battle in a world with few save points and death means starting the level over. If gardening isn’t your things there are also many puzzles, side quests, and mini games to complete out in Umbra that can help to boost experience and gain prizes.

Conclusion:

This game is truly a love letter to the era of RPG’s it imitates, but it does more than emulate – it improves. Earthlock is full of quality content and it really shows that the creators care about the game so much they are willing to continue working on it even after its been published. Other than the beginning of the game having a little bit of a slow start this game does a great job of keeping things interesting and constantly challenging the player. If you’re looking for an up and coming role playing game series, this might just be the one for you.

Pros:  Open interesting world, streamlined turn-based combat, beautiful, and good story

Cons:  Often stuck with a locked camera angle, a few technical glitches, slow start.

Rating:

8/10

Watch the Earthlock Trailer:

Greg Vander Velde

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I've been a life long nerd and video game junkie known to associate with the likes of Link, Nathan Drake, Batman, and Master Chief. I'm a filmmaker by profession, but spend lots of time behind a controller escaping the real world. @GregVelde on Instagram/Twitter/YouTube

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