You might, for example, change the season to winter in order to create an ice bridge to reach a new area in combat, striking enemies builds up Ary’s Solstice power gives, which she can then use to call on a lightning strike to stun enemies.
#Ary and the secret of seasons ps4 review full#
With Valdi’s weather all topsy-turvy, Ary employs season crystals to manipulate the weather around her.Ī press kit image showcasing Ary’s power over the seasons in full flow - it never looked anywhere this good on my PS4Īt the press of a button, she’s able to create a small bubble of either spring, summer, autumn, or winter, which then allows her to traverse the game world in different ways or attack enemies with novel effects. Side quests offer currency as a reward for completion –most of which are pretty basic, though the writing is often witty and fun.īut Ary’s big trump card –the unique gameplay mechanic that sets it apart and ties into its story premise–, is her ability to change the seasons. This quest takes across Valdi’s various regions, and throughout each there are vendors to purchase useful items, cosmetics to mix and match, and ability upgrades along the way. It’s up to our young heroine to prove her might, wielding the power of the season’s four different crystals to restore balance. It features Zelda-like third-person combat, exploration, and basic puzzle-solving, with semi-linear level design that mixes in the sort of platforming reminiscent of PS2-era mascot games like Jak & Daxter.Īs for the story, it sees young Aryelle (Ary for short) take the place of her missing brother Flynn as an apprentice Guardian of the Season, a position traditionally reserved for men, just at a time when the world of Valdi needs them the most.Īn evil mage has sent dark crystals plummeting from the sky, sending the world and its weather into chaos. It’s such a shame, too, because Ary has the foundation of an engaging, easy-going action/adventure game that’s kid-friendly for the newer generation and deeply nostalgic for veterans. And it’s a theme that disappointingly continued throughout my playthrough. In any case, something is missing here!īut Ary stutters and misfires either side of lengthy loading screens, which takes the gloss of what would otherwise be an adorable opening story sequence. Low-resolution textures and a simplistic art-style is one thing, but screen-tearing and a consistently choppy framerate just shouldn’t be an issue for a game that is likely capable of running on much less powerful hardware than my OG PS4 with the right optimization.Įither the water effects didn’t spawn or they weren’t there to begin with. Truth be told, it was only minutes into my playthrough that I suspected Ary’s lack of polish would be a key takeaway. Unfortunately, while this tale of a young heroine taking on the world is punctuated by vibrant colors, whimsical music, and the sort of cutesy charm that defines the beloved classics Ary is clearly inspired by, the game is held back by woeful performance issues that make it extremely difficult to recommend.
Ary and Secret of the Seasons has long been on my radar as a light-hearted gameplay experience that might help lift the spirits, so no surprises that I leaped at the opportunity to review it. There’s nothing like a children’s adventure story to warm the cockles, and as we approach the end of a rather miserable year I’ve found myself wanting for exactly that.
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