It’s very much a straightforward classic Doom experience, but the lighting, ambience, and more puzzle-forward level design lend it a more contemplative vibe over the thrash-metal stylings of the 1993 original. Chances are that even dedicated Doom fans had to give this one a miss thanks to it being relegated to the Nintendo 64 - a problem well-fixed by its recent port, and even further remedied by its inclusion on the Game Pass roster. Seeing a touched-up version of Doom 64 pop up alongside Doom Eternal’s 2020 launch was a surprise, to say the least.
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Which… you know, is basically free if you’re already a Game Pass subscriber. Even if you’re not an old fogey looking to relive the RPG magic of the ‘90s, Octopath Traveler is well worth the price of admission.
This approach makes for a unique artstyle that leaves a lasting impression, to say the least. That said, it’s all tied together with just the right amount of modern convention, with the primary example being its departure from the conventionally 2D presentation of a typical oldschool RPG into 2.5D environments. In terms of the gameplay itself, it’s everything a retro JRPG fan could want - turn-based combat, charming pixel art, and a grand 60+ hour campaign that’ll keep you busy for the foreseeable future.
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RELATED: Pro Tips For Playing Octopath Traveler True to its title, Octopath Traveler has you swapping perspectives between eight unique characters, each with their own distinct storylines, quests, and skills, in the fantasy setting of Orsterra. If you’re an oldschool JRPG fan pining for the 16-bit goodness of yore, then Octopath Traveler is an unabashed love letter with your name on it. TWoM presents war itself as the all-encompassing antagonist, and brilliantly so. Games that revolve around warfare tend to present one side as the definitive enemy. You’ll inevitably confront uncomfortable and difficult decisions as you weigh the safety and survival of your group against the odds, but that’s more or less the point. You’ll confront food and supply scarcity, sickness, and of course, the more direct threats of active combat zones - and even then, survivors just as desperate as you are can present as much of a threat as dubiously hostile soldiers patrolling the city. On its own, TWoM is successful enough in putting together a thinking-man’s survival simulator, but it’s the context that really makes this game stand out from the crowd. Subverting typical military glorification in favor of a grounded human experience, 11 bit studios puts you into the shoes of day-to-day civilians trying to navigate the ravages of urban warfare in This War of Mine. Pair this with the black-and-white film grain rendering alongside a pulpy historical Japanese backdrop, and you have a tight little indie experience that’s well worth venturing into. Frame-perfect blocks result in parries, certain combinations stun enemies as a set-up for visceral finishing moves, and varying sets of enemies keep the learning curve active-yet-manageable. However, the gradual incorporation of various combo moves and the ways in which these mechanics interact weave a sort of rhythm that’s easy to get lost in for several hours at a time. Hiroki starts with two very straightforward moves, light and heavy attacks, as well as the ability to block. In terms of gameplay, Trek to Yomi somehow manages to be both satisfyingly and deceptively simple - the one real system at play here is the combat. Borrowing heavily (and unabashedly) from the cinematic stylings of Akira Kurosawa, players assume the role of warrior-in-training Hiroki and embark on a revenge quest after bandits ravage his village and slay his mentor in cold blood. Trek to Yomi is a uniquely stylized side-scrolling hack-and-slash that’s sure to please your inner samurai.
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