Hey look its a theme week! Still haven't had time to delve into anything big I spent some time with a few bit sized games that came out this year (2017). As it happened they were all "flight" themed so I figured why not make a big ol' party post with all of them.
AER MEMORIES OF OLD
The largest and most "full game" of the three I will be looking at this week is AER Memories of Old. With a distinct polygonal style, bright colors and beautiful scenery AER easily grabs attention before even playing. An epic in scope but minimalist in telling story leads you through what it has to offer. Almost Zelda like in progression, clues and discovery leading to puzzle "dungeons" - just smaller and more casual. Combat free, AER is all about enjoying the spaces.
Where AER really shines is the flying. From island to island - through clouds, waterfalls, tunnels, and ruins, AER has a very good feel to the flying controls. Smooth and almost effortless giving you the perception of speed and lift. As you maneuver through gusts of wind that boost your soaring. Combined with a good soundtrack I just never wanted to land.
I do wish there was more to AER - not that I felt the story was incomplete but it seems the developer had done a good amount of world building and I would have liked to see/read/hear more of it. I wish the game had more reasons for me to stay in it (even if incidental to the main story). I usually am against content for its own sake but I so enjoyed being in the world of AER I do want for more.
The most minimal of the three game this week, Flightless is both a small puzzle game and is free. You move a small flightless bird from space to space solving puzzles and avoiding hazards. The main mechanic revolves around timing, each space you move causes the world to tick forwards one "space" worth of time. Watching for the patterns and routes to completing the small island based levels ranges from tricky to sometimes aggravating.
With the world on a 45 degree angle the arrow key controls don't line up in a way that I ever quite got used to. Which lead to a lot of mistake moves forcing me to restart the level. This problem might just be me and not bother others. Regardless of the controls Flightless offers some good puzzles and pleasing aesthetic.
SUPERFLIGHT
As you fly the wingsuit looses altitude so you are forever working your way down the random structures. Once you hit the fog in the bottom it smoothly drops you into the sky above the next generated level. There are early exit portals that do the same thing but get you points as well. And if you like a particular set of levels just experienced you can save them to run again, each being generated with a seed number that can be shared.
With a fantastic sense of speed, danger and pushing you to takes risks Superflight really feels and plays great.
AER MEMORIES OF OLD
The largest and most "full game" of the three I will be looking at this week is AER Memories of Old. With a distinct polygonal style, bright colors and beautiful scenery AER easily grabs attention before even playing. An epic in scope but minimalist in telling story leads you through what it has to offer. Almost Zelda like in progression, clues and discovery leading to puzzle "dungeons" - just smaller and more casual. Combat free, AER is all about enjoying the spaces.
Where AER really shines is the flying. From island to island - through clouds, waterfalls, tunnels, and ruins, AER has a very good feel to the flying controls. Smooth and almost effortless giving you the perception of speed and lift. As you maneuver through gusts of wind that boost your soaring. Combined with a good soundtrack I just never wanted to land.
I do wish there was more to AER - not that I felt the story was incomplete but it seems the developer had done a good amount of world building and I would have liked to see/read/hear more of it. I wish the game had more reasons for me to stay in it (even if incidental to the main story). I usually am against content for its own sake but I so enjoyed being in the world of AER I do want for more.
*******
FLIGHTLESS
With the world on a 45 degree angle the arrow key controls don't line up in a way that I ever quite got used to. Which lead to a lot of mistake moves forcing me to restart the level. This problem might just be me and not bother others. Regardless of the controls Flightless offers some good puzzles and pleasing aesthetic.
*******
In Superflight you are a fragile blocky man with a wingsuit who it attempting to earn "points" and get the "high score". Really though you are just doing some amazing maneuvering through procedurally generated islands, around their ragged edges and tight spaces. The closer to the walls and floor, the smaller the space, the more points you earn. When you eventually crash (and wow does it look like it hurts) the run is over, your points are recorded and you can quickly begin again.
(I used a video as screenshots just don't convey the game well)
As you fly the wingsuit looses altitude so you are forever working your way down the random structures. Once you hit the fog in the bottom it smoothly drops you into the sky above the next generated level. There are early exit portals that do the same thing but get you points as well. And if you like a particular set of levels just experienced you can save them to run again, each being generated with a seed number that can be shared.
With a fantastic sense of speed, danger and pushing you to takes risks Superflight really feels and plays great.
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