Airoheart Review – Adventures with Triforce Essence

Airoheart comes claiming a classic adventure style we fell in love with in the 16-bit era

Every gamer has indelible moments from their early games, especially as you transition from generation to generation. For me, one of those magic moments I lived with Zelda: A Link to the Past. This staging at the beginning, the rain, the search for fragments all over the map… It was a head to toe adventure. Of those that still resonate in the minds of users. And why am I saying all this? Because Airoheart comes to claim this visual and playable style that we remember very well from our childhood. Now… Will he be able to convey the same feelings? We will see it soon in this review.

The endless war between two factions

Pixel Heart Studio and SOEDESCO They are responsible for bringing to our consoles a pixelated adventure that does not bother to hide its influences. We will control the same Airoheart, a British boy who is taken in by a rival race: the Emerians. And although our hero is happy in the care of his family, he will soon be immersed in a maelstrom of mysteries that will lead him to search for the fragments of the Sorcerer’s Stonewhich contains a great power which will throw the scales off one side or the other.

Of course, although the story has a few twists, it’s just a pretext to explore the purpose-built world and navigate the puzzle-filled dungeons. We can move in a huge map with several clearly differentiated areas (deserts, forests, swamps, mountains…) looking for hidden pieces. And as in the Nintendo classic, there will be areas that will be impregnable until we have a certain object in our possession.

Where is my GPS?

And here begins one of the most unflattering aspects of Airoheart itself. Although the visual style is nice and colorful, it seems too repetitive, which makes let’s take a tour of the mapping without reference to guide us. It’s not just that anymore. If we miss an important object, we can already prepare to go around in circles in search of the object sought. No matter the size of a scene, if there are no elements that justify this exploration, the playable experience and the rhythm are gradually diluted.

The reverse happens with dungeons. Being more specific scenarios, there is less chance of getting lost. Now that we are going to clarify the comparisons with Zelda, it is true that I miss very characteristic aids such as the map itself and the compass which marks the final boss or treasures. But despite this absence each dungeon will have enough puzzles (and enough variety) that I don’t miss it too much.

As we progress, we will unlock new innate powers of the protagonist, and even new runes for our magic wand. Without being given a very continuous use, we appreciate that Airoheart has a diversity of attacks and aids. We will be able to summon a kind of hook to throw a ball of fire or heal ourselves if we are in low health. At the end, We will have a very complete set of moves ready to be used against the rival.

There is a very open dispute with the AV section that we witnessed at Airoheart. Ok, yes it’s very similar to the culminating work that Link had during the Super Nintendo days. Evil comes when you see assets and elements of this new game that appeared more than 30 years ago. And what has been said, the problem is not the feeling of having lived this adventure, but that leaves a bittersweet aftertaste as mapmaking and scenario design don’t shine to expected levels. At least we can count on very happy songs and with translations in our language.

Conclusion by Airoheart

I don’t think Pixel Heart Studio and SOEDESCO want to hide the inspiration they needed to develop their game. the jewels of the past. The but is when in the end the title does not turn out as well as the original, and Airoheart sins a little.

We are facing a very pleasant, long and challenging adventure. The main hero has his reasons to explore, he will learn several attacks and he also has a magic staff with which to use runes. But all of those benefits are overshadowed by a level design that leaves you cold, despite how cheerful it looks at first glance. However, if we like to explore and get lost in its dunes and undergrowth, this adventure will transport us to our earliest childhood.