Análisis Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore

The nightmares produced by the characters of Arzette: the jewel of Faramore They are compensated by the good humor of the game

Although we often look at the “retro” scene with good eyes, there are occasions when we must have felt some embarrassment. We don’t remember them enough (or our brain wants to erase these indecent propositions), but they are there for the pleasure and suffering of the player. And no, I’m not talking about the enormous FMV of Mega CDs of dubious quality, but rather about looking back on an ephemeral but significant era. Does anyone remember those grotesque Zelda animated sequences that Animation Magic released on the Philips CD-i? Yes of course. Well, now it’s time to revive these distortions thanks to Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore.

Let no one lay a hand on the head yet. Seedy Eye Software, the company behind this project, wants to add a lot of humor to its work. They seek irony, criticism of these infamous works and enjoy these types of experiences again with the playable improvements that current technology offers us. And the result is very good.

customs areas

We will have control of Arzette, a brave princess who must fight tooth and nail to save the kingdom of Faramore from the threat of the demon king Daimur. To do this, he must search for a series of gemstones that, when collected, will unleash a power capable of imprisoning the demon and ending the times of war.

In order to accomplish such a feat, our protagonist will have to travel through several levels that make up the lands of Faramore. We will move from classic forests to icy mountains, volcanoes, swamps, deserts… In each of these levels we must find certain objects that allow us to reach the end of the phase, face a servant of King Daimur and recover a piece of these precious stones. But it won’t be as easy as I explain, and our path will often be blocked. Yes We will have to complete a series of tasks to progress.

colorful balls

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore poses a component metroidvania very well managed. Although at first we will only have the help of our sword and some bombs to break walls and walls, Little by little, we will equip ourselves with a greater number of items. By helping the citizens of the kingdom, they will provide us with the essential utensils to continue the adventure. Candles to light dark paths, rings of protection or most importantly: a kind of magic gun that eliminates blocks of a predetermined color.

As I said, it is not a complex map full of secrets, but This exploration factor will force us to pay a little more attention to it than usual. Usually on the general world map they will mark the next place you need to visit, but the game gives you some freedom to try other scenarios in search of additional items. And it will be essential to do a lot of backtracking if you want to complete the adventure 100%.

Shopping list

Generally, all missions (main and secondary) have this errand boy aftertaste. But we will always have an attractive reward that will push us to explore new areas until we can unlock the path to the final boss. In fact, speaking of final bosses, perhaps the worst thing about the game is the boss fights. To my taste, very simple and graceless. Especially the confrontation against Daimur, but I prefer you to discover that for yourself…

The graphic revolution of 93

And while as a 2D platformer and action title it works pretty well, The fundamental pillar on which this adventure rests are the animated sequences that we will both have in threes. They are very shabby. But they are very cheesy, and it completely changes the vision of the game. You can totally see what Seedy Eye Software wanted to do, and they succeeded. These plans, drawn by the protagonists and the excellent humor makes us want to see all of Arzette’s conversations with the NPCs.

Not only will we have the grotesque and distorted design, but there will be references to classics like Castlevania. And of course, to the works of Nintendo in its most “questionable” era like Link: The Faces of Evil or Hotel Mario, another raw gem. All this does we see the studio’s proposal with good eyes and without getting angry because the visual style is not in keeping with the times. Moreover, where there is a good level, it is in its part thanks to the work of the composer Jake “Button Masher” Silverman.

Arzette’s Conclusion: The Jewel of Faramore

There are times when it’s good to look back and enjoy a retro proposition. But rarely (if ever) have we traveled to times as controversial as this moment when two Zelda games were released on the Philips CD-i. These animated sequences caused nightmares among adolescents, although fortunately we now see this era through a different prism, and this allows us to enjoy proposals as beautiful as the one we have in the analysis today. If you like 2D platform titles with a very well executed metroidvania, Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore is for you. And if you also get into its silly humor and tempered graphics, you’ll have a handful of very enjoyable hours.