For those of you 90’s kids out there, the nostalgia in this game will either enthrall you or feel like a cheap imitation of the beloved original RPGs. Shiro Games’ newest release, EVOLAND 2: A SLIGHT CASE OF SPACETIME CONTINUUM DISORDER, is clever in concept, but doesn’t quite deliver in its retro-revamped expectations. This action/adventure RPG for iOS is unique in the way that the graphics and gameplay reflect the evolution of video games as you delve further into this time-traveling journey.
The fun part about EVOLAND 2 is that it does not take itself too seriously; its witty and sometimes sardonic humor adds an element of surprise in an otherwise predictable narrative. The music for this bubbly adventure-epic is what makes these types of games fun, and in that respect, EVOLAND 2 does deliver. Playing this sans-music does eliminate a layer of entertainment and becomes somewhat tedious.
There is nothing subtle about the game’s homage to the classic arcade RPGs. The pixilated graphics are charming—instantly transporting you back into a time when gaming was much simpler. We start out in a black and green GameBoy-style tutorial and continue to careen through the video game evolution. While the copious and lengthy cutscenes seem to be a necessary element in today’s gaming experience, it would be appreciated if EVOLAND 2 offered the option to skip over a majority of them, as many do not contribute much to the overall storyline and others just go on for far too long.
My immediate reaction to this game is that it is far too detailed to be played on an iPhone. If you choose to pay $6.99 to download this into your cloud, save yourself the agony and vow to play this on your iPad. To absorb the entirety of the overflowing dam of detail in EVOLAND 2 on such a small screen almost guarantees a visit to the optometrist.
It’s quite clear that Shiro Games had the ghost of Zelda past whispering in their ears throughout the game’s development. The controls are a throwback to the circular scrolls of yore, but the reality of the gameplay is sticky, delayed, and occasionally unresponsive. The characters give you several options to customize your gaming experience by creating your own names—I was excited for this, but to type using their keyboard is like fishing in alphabet soup for specific letters in the dark. Just keep the names the game assigns you—even if you have tiny hands, just don’t.
There are vices and virtues to the challenging nature of EVOLAND 2’s puzzles. If you want to test your problem solving skills and embrace the method of trial and error, this game will satisfy that desire. The downside to this intellectual exercise is that the fairly repetitious gameplay isn’t exciting enough to persevere to the end.
While it certainly has its merits, EVOLAND 2 is lacking a certain je ne sais quoi to earn it a place amongst the new classics. If you’re buying this game in hopes of reliving the good old days, you’re better off shelling out the money to re-experience the joys and utter frustrations of Zelda or Final Fantasy.
Rating: 6/10
Take a Look at the Evoland 2 Mobile Trailer:
Evoland 2 is available for download via the App Store for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. The game is also available for PC and Mac via Steam.
The Android version isn’t ready yet but on it’s way. You can register your email here to be notify when the Android version will be ready.
iPhone Review
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Overall Score - 6/106/10
Kendra grew up in the era where playing Donkey Kong in the dentist's office was a thing. Her creative mind enjoys the imaginative genius that goes into the intricate worlds and enticing narratives that have become the new wave of gaming. Forever a devotee of Crash Bandicoot and Spyro, Kendra has stepped into the next generation of gaming with favorites like God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Spider-Man. She is always looking for the next gaming challenge and utilizes her fancy English degree to articulate her detailed reviews for hungry gamers like you.
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