In AER Memories of Old, you can transform into a bird. You must venture through old ruins to save the world from impending doom. This beautiful game unfortunately failed to keep me awake for its short runtime.
Gameplay: 4.8/10 - Boring
The game opens with an interesting premise, that is never expanded upon whatsoever becoming boring rather quickly. The easy puzzles don't help in turning this game into anything other than a walking simulator.
a. Mechanics: 4/10
There are two mechanics to this game: you can fly, and you have a lamp that can do special things. These two mechanics do not complement each other whatsoever, and in fact you can only do 1 at a time. The mechanics also aren't expanded upon at any point, what you are given at the very start of the game is what you keep throughout. Which makes the game a bit of a snorefest. However, the flying is fun. Not because it is satisfying, but because the game looks good and is relaxing.
b. Difficulty and Challenge: 2/10
This game is incredibly easy. The puzzles are so easy in fact, that it just becomes a walking simulator. There is absolutely no challenge in this game whatsoever, this gets boring quickly.
c. Exploration and Progression: 7/10
There is a nice bit of exploration in this game, as you adventure around the game's world. There is also a nice sense of progression, ONCE you actually learn what you are supposed to be doing. Until you learn what you are doing, you sort of just explore around randomly. However, the game became more clear once I learned what I was doing.
d. Variety and Creativity: 6/10
The game, at least, seems reasonably unique. Which is wonderful, as it stands out a lot from other games.
Story, World and Characters: 4.3/10 - Empty
Unfortunately, this game's story makes me want to fall asleep. While the world can be immersive at times I just didn't care too much about the lackluster story at all.
a. Story: 3/10
The story boils down to, you must stop the great evil from destroying the world. Good luck lol. Unfortunately, it isn't that realistic and is barely played out, also the ending is such a let down.
b. World: 8/10
The game's world is very unique however, but I barely remember the details. There are many scriptures and texts that you can find giving more detail to the world. The world is expanded upon a bit, you learn about the history of the ruins you can encounter.
c. Characters: 2/10
There are very few characters in this game. I learned nothing about them at all, they aren't expanded upon, and I don't care about them at all.
Graphics, Audio and Technical Execution: 6.0 - The Best Part
The graphics are the best part of this game, and are amazing at times. Unfortunately, the SFX doesn't try to do anything special and the music blends together into nothing.
a. Graphics: 7/10
The graphics are very nice. It is in a more cartoony style and the graphics are very simplistic. However, the world can be beautiful at time. The animations are nice and you can even find animals around the world, which add to the immersion.
b. Music: 5/10
The music that is present while flying is nice. In general, the music is very calming and I can't remember a time the music became intense. Unfortunately, each track blends together and none of the tracks stand out.
c. SFX: 6/10
There is nothing special here. There is no voice acting in the game either. The animals make sounds, and there are "wooshing" sounds as you fly. You get the idea.
Replay-ability, Value For Money and Extra Content: 1.6/10 - A Pricy Walking Sim W/ Nothing To Find
There is no chance at replay-ability, and no extra content to try and enjoy.
a. Replay-ability: 1/10
There is no replay-ability. The game is a walking simulator, with a boring story. You will have no reason to come back and replay it.
b. Value For Money: 2.7/10
This value is calculated via: (Hours Played/Cost Off Sale)*10.
I got 3.6 hours of playtime. This is a very short game, AND I 100% it too. If you buy it, get it on a sale for 90%.
b. Extra Content: 1/10
No. There are no extra features, (as far as I am aware) no hidden content and no unlockables either. There are achievements, however they are boring to get as the majority you get from progressing through the game or finding a Point of Interest in the world.
Innovation, Impact and Technical Execution: 4.7 - At Least It Runs Well
Despite the game's performance, it didn't do much of anything unique and is rarely talked about ever.
a. Innovation: 4/10
While the game is unique in many respects, it is rarely innovative. However, despite everything bad I have said about this game. It is important to point out this is the indie dev's first game on Steam. It is important to bear this in mind. If the devs are reading this for some odd reason, I would still like to congratulate them on their game. Their studio has so much potential, and I will be looking to see what they are going to release in the future. Even if the game was released 5-6 years ago.
b. Impact: 1/10
As far as I am aware, this game had no impact and will have no lasting legacy.
c. Technical Execution: 9/10
This game is VERY stable and runs VERY well. The main issue is I have with the game in this section, is that it doesn't tell you the controls in the settings so it took me ages until I finally realised I could press "F" to pull out my lamp. (Note: I only found 1 minor bug.)
Overall: 42.8/100 - I Almost Fell Asleep At The Keyboard
When this game is stripped of its graphics it has nothing. No interesting gameplay or story to back it up. It becomes a mindless walking (or flying) simulator. The ending is boring, the puzzles are easy, overall it probably isn't worth your time. The studio has potential, so I would keep an eye on them to see if they release anymore games.
Gameplay: 4.8/10 - Boring
The game opens with an interesting premise, that is never expanded upon whatsoever becoming boring rather quickly. The easy puzzles don't help in turning this game into anything other than a walking simulator.
a. Mechanics: 4/10
There are two mechanics to this game: you can fly, and you have a lamp that can do special things. These two mechanics do not complement each other whatsoever, and in fact you can only do 1 at a time. The mechanics also aren't expanded upon at any point, what you are given at the very start of the game is what you keep throughout. Which makes the game a bit of a snorefest. However, the flying is fun. Not because it is satisfying, but because the game looks good and is relaxing.
b. Difficulty and Challenge: 2/10
This game is incredibly easy. The puzzles are so easy in fact, that it just becomes a walking simulator. There is absolutely no challenge in this game whatsoever, this gets boring quickly.
c. Exploration and Progression: 7/10
There is a nice bit of exploration in this game, as you adventure around the game's world. There is also a nice sense of progression, ONCE you actually learn what you are supposed to be doing. Until you learn what you are doing, you sort of just explore around randomly. However, the game became more clear once I learned what I was doing.
d. Variety and Creativity: 6/10
The game, at least, seems reasonably unique. Which is wonderful, as it stands out a lot from other games.
Story, World and Characters: 4.3/10 - Empty
Unfortunately, this game's story makes me want to fall asleep. While the world can be immersive at times I just didn't care too much about the lackluster story at all.
a. Story: 3/10
The story boils down to, you must stop the great evil from destroying the world. Good luck lol. Unfortunately, it isn't that realistic and is barely played out, also the ending is such a let down.
b. World: 8/10
The game's world is very unique however, but I barely remember the details. There are many scriptures and texts that you can find giving more detail to the world. The world is expanded upon a bit, you learn about the history of the ruins you can encounter.
c. Characters: 2/10
There are very few characters in this game. I learned nothing about them at all, they aren't expanded upon, and I don't care about them at all.
Graphics, Audio and Technical Execution: 6.0 - The Best Part
The graphics are the best part of this game, and are amazing at times. Unfortunately, the SFX doesn't try to do anything special and the music blends together into nothing.
a. Graphics: 7/10
The graphics are very nice. It is in a more cartoony style and the graphics are very simplistic. However, the world can be beautiful at time. The animations are nice and you can even find animals around the world, which add to the immersion.
b. Music: 5/10
The music that is present while flying is nice. In general, the music is very calming and I can't remember a time the music became intense. Unfortunately, each track blends together and none of the tracks stand out.
c. SFX: 6/10
There is nothing special here. There is no voice acting in the game either. The animals make sounds, and there are "wooshing" sounds as you fly. You get the idea.
Replay-ability, Value For Money and Extra Content: 1.6/10 - A Pricy Walking Sim W/ Nothing To Find
There is no chance at replay-ability, and no extra content to try and enjoy.
a. Replay-ability: 1/10
There is no replay-ability. The game is a walking simulator, with a boring story. You will have no reason to come back and replay it.
b. Value For Money: 2.7/10
This value is calculated via: (Hours Played/Cost Off Sale)*10.
I got 3.6 hours of playtime. This is a very short game, AND I 100% it too. If you buy it, get it on a sale for 90%.
b. Extra Content: 1/10
No. There are no extra features, (as far as I am aware) no hidden content and no unlockables either. There are achievements, however they are boring to get as the majority you get from progressing through the game or finding a Point of Interest in the world.
Innovation, Impact and Technical Execution: 4.7 - At Least It Runs Well
Despite the game's performance, it didn't do much of anything unique and is rarely talked about ever.
a. Innovation: 4/10
While the game is unique in many respects, it is rarely innovative. However, despite everything bad I have said about this game. It is important to point out this is the indie dev's first game on Steam. It is important to bear this in mind. If the devs are reading this for some odd reason, I would still like to congratulate them on their game. Their studio has so much potential, and I will be looking to see what they are going to release in the future. Even if the game was released 5-6 years ago.
b. Impact: 1/10
As far as I am aware, this game had no impact and will have no lasting legacy.
c. Technical Execution: 9/10
This game is VERY stable and runs VERY well. The main issue is I have with the game in this section, is that it doesn't tell you the controls in the settings so it took me ages until I finally realised I could press "F" to pull out my lamp. (Note: I only found 1 minor bug.)
Overall: 42.8/100 - I Almost Fell Asleep At The Keyboard
When this game is stripped of its graphics it has nothing. No interesting gameplay or story to back it up. It becomes a mindless walking (or flying) simulator. The ending is boring, the puzzles are easy, overall it probably isn't worth your time. The studio has potential, so I would keep an eye on them to see if they release anymore games.