Adventure games are an undoubtedly popular genre of video games, but very few of them are intended for the Xbox platform. Usually, we are just waiting for whatever games trickle from over from Nintendo after they have run their course. Often, this leads to some controls being in awkwardly placed since the buttons are so different or fight mechanics that just seem to be a little off. Overall, it just leaves a lot to be desired in playability for Xbox owners. This is where Drake Hollow, by developer The Molasses Flood, comes in. It takes all the fun of an adventure game and stuffs it into an Xbox and PC release that was an absolute blast.
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of adventure games is the look and feel of the game itself. Does the world feel big? Do you want to explore it? Is it easy to get lost in the mysticism and the story? The answer to all of these is a resounding “yes” for Drake Hollow. When I started the game, I was genuinely amazed by how great it looks. The game even progresses through different seasons and changes the map accordingly. The animation style is beautiful, and Drake Hollow just feels magical in every aspect. It’s filled with whimsical creatures and colors that inhabit every inch of a huge map. Usually, character customization can be pretty limited in games like this since the developers often want to keep the character models consistent with the environment, but Drake Hollow manages to do both. When you start, there is a great character editing system with a variety of different options to build a truly custom character or you can just hit random to see what the game generates for you. No matter how your character looks, they fit into the environment and look beautiful doing it.
The environment the game is set in, the Hollow, has been invaded by a dangerous substance called the ether and a species called the Feral that are determined to destroy the land and its inhabitants. Throughout the story, your goal is to restore balance to the Hollow and save the Drakes, its native species, in the process. Like most adventure games, you gather materials and build campsites that produce necessary items like food and shelter for both your character and the Drakes. The building system was easy to understand and pick up, but it’s not where the Drake Hollow really shines.
My favorite aspect of the game was the fight mechanics and the battle against the Feral. You have a variety of different weapons to choose from including a nail gun, a pool cue, and a pioneer ax to fight off waves of the Feral. Enemies come in a number of different classes that fight in different ways. This variety of elements makes for a really dynamic fight experience that really adds an important element to the game.
Even though I was playing a beta, Drake Hollow ran amazingly well. I didn’t encounter any issues during my play through. With a beta, there is often areas where it is clear you aren’t playing the full version of a game, but you couldn’t tell it by playing this one. The game is already beautiful, and it works so well that it’s really tough to imagine how this game could possibly get better on release. Everything from the environment to the tutorials to the impressive character customization options work together to create a fantastic gaming experience.
Overall, I really couldn’t ask for more from an adventure game much less one that is being launched on Xbox One and PC first. If you’ve been looking for an immersive adventure game that’s genuinely fun to take up some of your time while we’re all still stuck inside, Drake Hollow is what you’ve been looking for.
9.7/10
Check Out the Drake Hollow Video:
Drake Hollow will release July 17th for Xbox One and Windows PC via Steam. You can wishlist the game right now.
For more information, please visit: https://www.drakehollow.com/
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Xbox One Review
My first console was the original Playstation and I would play Twisted Metal every now and then but games didn't hook me until I played the original Halo at my friend's house. As soon as I picked up that controller, I knew I needed an Xbox and I had to have that game. Since those early Halo days, I've branched out and played any game I could find with a great story and memorable characters but Master Chief is still my favorite. @thenotoriousTGT on Twitter
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