Evoland

It's okay, but you can tell it's showing its age. It's quirky and full of references, but there's no real story. It's basically a string of references to old video games (especially RPGs), which is fun if you're familiar with those games and can identify them, but if not, I imagine it becomes rather dull. A good short game to pass the time.

Evoland has a pretty interesting concept: you start in a world made of a couple of pixels and no sound, and as you progress, you start unlocking features you take for granted in modern games: color graphics, music, better animations, larger maps, turn-based battles, real-time combat, and much more. You go through the whole history of gaming in a couple of hours. It gradually introduces new mechanics, graphics styles, and gameplay modes. It's not a very deep RPG; it mostly thrives on nostalgia. The actual combat and gameplay are fairly simple; it is not very challenging; it feels more like a tribute to classics like The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy than a fully fleshed-out product, and it's full of nods and jokes centered around old-school games. It's a fun little RPG, and you can beat it in around 5 hours, so I'd say buy it on sale.

Evoland is what happens when an RPG has an existential crisis and decides to replay its entire childhood in one sitting. You start with literal stick figure graphics and a single button and slowly unlock colors, sound, save files (yes, you unlock the ability to save) until it becomes a full on JRPG. It's peak nostalgia bait and it works embarrassingly well. The novelty does wear off towards the end and the story is about as deep as a puddle, but honestly? The concept alone carries it. It's short, charming and genuinely fun to watch unfold. A solid weekend game. [b][7.5/10][/b]

Просто потрясная игра. В моей памяти она останется одной из лучших инди-проектов, мделанных когда-то великими инди-разработчиками. Даже жалко, что крутых инди-проектов с каждым годом всё меньше и меньше...

Evoland by Shiro Games is a cleverly designed action-adventure RPG that builds its entire identity around the evolution of video game design itself, turning what could have been a simple nostalgic tribute into something far more interactive and self-aware. Rather than following a traditional progression system where players unlock stronger abilities or gear, the game instead ties advancement to the very fundamentals of gaming—visuals, sound, mechanics, and interface elements—gradually transforming itself as you play. This approach gives Evoland a unique sense of momentum, where each step forward feels like moving through the history of the medium rather than simply progressing through a story. The experience begins in an intentionally primitive state, with limited movement, minimal visuals, and almost no features. As you explore and open chests, you unlock new elements that fundamentally change how the game functions. Color is introduced, then sound, then more complex combat systems, and eventually entirely different gameplay styles. What starts as a barebones top-down exploration game evolves into something resembling classic action RPGs, and later incorporates turn-based battles reminiscent of older Japanese RPGs. This constant transformation is the core of the game’s appeal, as it keeps the experience fresh and unpredictable, even when the underlying mechanics are relatively simple. Much of the enjoyment comes from recognizing the references and inspirations embedded throughout the game. Evoland draws heavily from iconic titles and genres, weaving them into its structure in a way that feels both playful and respectful. Familiar mechanics and visual styles appear and disappear as the game progresses, creating a sense of nostalgia for players who have experienced these earlier eras of gaming. At the same time, the game maintains a light, humorous tone, often acknowledging its own design choices and gently poking fun at the conventions it recreates. This self-awareness gives the experience a distinct personality, making it feel less like a straightforward homage and more like a commentary on how games have evolved over time. Mechanically, the game is intentionally accessible. Combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving are all present, but they are designed to be easy to understand and quick to engage with. Each system is introduced, explored briefly, and then either expanded upon or replaced as the game continues to evolve. This keeps the pacing brisk and prevents any one mechanic from becoming stale, but it also means that few systems are developed in depth. Just as you begin to grow comfortable with a particular style of gameplay, the game shifts to something new, which can be both exciting and slightly limiting depending on your expectations. The presentation plays a significant role in reinforcing the game’s concept. Visuals change alongside the gameplay, moving from simple monochrome graphics to more detailed environments that reflect different stages of gaming history. The soundtrack evolves in a similar way, adding layers and complexity as new features are unlocked. These changes are not just aesthetic—they are integrated into the progression system, making each upgrade feel meaningful. While the final visuals and audio are not particularly advanced by modern standards, their gradual development creates a strong sense of progression and cohesion. Narratively, Evoland takes a minimalistic approach. The story follows a familiar fantasy structure, serving more as a framework for the gameplay than as a central focus. Characters and plot points are present, but they are secondary to the game’s core concept. This simplicity works in its favor, as it allows the evolving mechanics to remain the primary driver of engagement. However, players looking for a deeper or more emotionally driven narrative may find this aspect underdeveloped. One of the more noticeable limitations of the game is its relatively short length. The entire experience can be completed in just a few hours, and while the constant introduction of new ideas helps maintain interest, the later stages do not always expand on those ideas as much as they could. The sense of evolution is strongest in the early portions, and as the game progresses, the pace of change slows, making the concept feel slightly less impactful toward the end. This reinforces the impression that Evoland is more of a creative experiment than a fully fleshed-out RPG. Despite these shortcomings, Evoland succeeds in delivering a memorable and distinctive experience that stands out for its originality. It captures the spirit of gaming history in a way that is both interactive and engaging, offering players a journey that is as much about the evolution of the medium as it is about the game itself. Its simplicity and brevity prevent it from reaching the depth of more traditional RPGs, but its creativity and execution make it well worth experiencing. Rating: 7/10

[h1] Une superbe découverte sur l'évolution du jeu vidéo ! [/h1] [hr][/hr] [b]Note : 16 / 20 🌟[/b] Evoland retrace avec intelligence et nostalgie l'évolution du jeu vidéo, en multipliant les références aux différentes générations de gameplay et de graphismes. Un concept original et plaisant, parfait pour chill sans prise de tête. Une expérience simple, fun et pleine de charme !

Nos encontramos ante una genialidad de juego en cuanto a originalidad.... Un paseo en la evolución que hubo con los RPG en consolas como Gameboy, Nintendo NES, Super Nintendo, Playstation 1 y 2 y poco más. Los personajes están inspirados en Link de Zelda, Aeris y Sephiroth de Final Fantasy 7 y por ahí anda un chocobo también. La trama no tiene mucho misterio, eres un héroe random que conoce a una chica en apuros que quiere salvar el mundo de un malo maloso. El juego es increíblemente fácil, hasta el punto que está claro que lo hicieron así a propósito. Solo tienes que dedicarte a pegar con "Clink" y a curar con "Kaeris" para ganar sobradamente el 100% de los enfrentamientos. Es un juego divertido y corto, que te divertirá por poco más de un par de horas (como mucho) si no es que quieres hacer todos los logros... A mi eso me llevó unas 17 horas porque tiene muchos secretos complicados de descubrir solo para temas coleccionables.

Its a love letter to a lot of things, but you could also call it "Oops all references". Although gamepad support is wonky I was able to beat it on mouse and keyboard without issue.

I love this game and do not regret having the chance to play it. I do think it should be known and forewarned that it is controller compatible but there is an issue with currently dated controllers not reading. There are some fixes but they did not work for me so sadly this is a controller optimal game that can only be play with mouse and keyboard. I find it astonishing that in this day and age noone has created a true fix for this like other games....challenge anyone?

引导性很差；且大地图设计恶意很大，刷怪频率极高，可以说玩的4h里2h以上都是在无聊的打怪。