Unto The End Analysis – Survive To The End

Análisis de Unto The End for Xbox One.

When starting a video game, it is very common to go through a series of phases before starting the adventure itself. The most typical are the regulation of the brightness, the warnings that the events that are told are not real or those gigantic texts of terms and conditions that we pretend to read but that we accept as soon as possible to start the fun. In Until the end it’s not like that.

The only message the devs give us here is that combat is done this way on purpose, and it’s not a game to use. That we forget everything we know because here things are different. And how right they are. in this Analysis until the end I’m going to tell you how this challenging game made me suffer like no other with its combat mechanics and wonder, in equal parts, with its storyline and beautiful visual style.

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Smear The End. Fight at home

The first thing to say about Unto The End is that it’s not an easy game to categorize into one genre. The title developed by 2 Your Studios It has the essence of a platform video game, but it also shares a lot of characteristics of the action-adventure genre, I would almost even say exploration.

The adventure will put us in the shoes of a hunter, who says goodbye to his family (wife and son) and goes hunting in the middle of a frozen place. But, unfortunately, in the middle of chasing a game in the mountains, our hero will fall through a hole hidden by snow and get lost, in the middle of endless frozen caves. From now on, our goal will be to get home in one piece. But do not trust yourself, because surviving will not be easy.

A more than hostile environment

I’m not exaggerating if I tell you that when I first started this game it took me half an hour to defeat the first two enemies I encountered along the way. My controller reflexes are probably not something to admire, but I tend to defend well in tough games. Unto The End taught me that I still have a lot to learn.

At first, especially if we do the tutorial, the combat mechanics will be quite simple. With the left stick we can cover ourselves, if we have our sword drawn, move it up or down depending on the enemy attack. With him Button (X) we will make a weak attack and with (And) a big. Whether or not we succeed depends on whether the enemy has a weapon with which to protect themselves or not. In addition, also we can ride with (B) escape or push our opponent with [RT] to fall to the ground and inflict a nearly fatal blow on him. Apart from our sword and a torch to light the way, we will also have a dagger with which we can throw [RB] to activate traps or cut ropes. Of course, then it will have to be collected.

So far so good, but when you find yourself surrounded by two or more of the creatures that will try to kill you, the whole theory will be ruined and you will have to put all 5 senses in the fight if you don’t want to die over and over again.

As if that weren’t enough, on our way home we will meet countless deadly traps, huge boulders that break out or edges of cliffs that collapse when we step on them after jumping.

Overwhelming realism

Another aspect that adds even more difficulty to Unto The End is its impressive realism both in the fights and in the movement of our character.

If we block the opponent’s attacks well, we will leave them open to deal a critical hit. But a bad cover which supposes two or three blows from our enemy will be used to end our life minimum make us bleed in the snow until we die or are helpless to be finished. For this reason, many times you will have to flee to save yourself. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from tough video games like Dark Souls, it’s that the best defense is good escape.

Fortunately, the game offers certain safety zones which, if we know how to take advantage of them, will allow us to move forward a little more. In the dark we will find some bonfires where we can heat ourselves and make healing potions with ingredients we find in the environment, heal wounds or repair armor. This one, moreover, is not indestructible and will break more or less depending on the degree of improvement.

Exploration will be the key. Explore the underground caves, inspect the corpses of the beasts we kill or search the rubble provide us with resources like leaves, sticks, skins or bones that will be of great use to us. Even if we are lucky, we will find helmets or protections that allow us to resist the strange challenge.

Minimalist and immersive nature

Until the end an artistic section that falls in love with its minimalism. It’s not a video game with 4K graphics or high realism, you really don’t need it. With a simple visual style, the title delights us with beautiful snowy landscapes where, from time to time, we will see herds of deer in the background, or sunsets that will leave us speechless.

We also won’t find any indicator on the screen or interface. (Except for the menu that appears when opening our inventory). In addition, from the start of the game, the title will appear and we can move around. You won’t find any save locations or anything in between.

This, of course, is also created on purpose to make us feel a much more immersive experience. And the truth is, it works. By the way, until the end It will surprise you with many and varied situations in which all is not what it seems.. The game itself will demand the best of you, not only in combat, but also in measuring your intelligence and ability to make decisions at key points.

The sound section is also at a high level, with a very good ambient sound which immerses us fully in the action. The game is not folded because it suffices for the gestures of its characters to tell their story and convey the feelings of each of the protagonists. In addition, the melodies that appear from time to time are quite sensory and perfectly match the game.

Finally

Unto The End is a game unlike anything you’ve ever seen. A proposal that is as visually minimalist as it is stimulating in its mechanics, is not suitable for everyone. 2 Ton Studios title elevates combat realism to the highest level, which makes it a rewarding challenge with every victory. At times it will seem frustrating, but this feeling of helplessness it’s just part of a beautiful trip. If you take it easy, have patience, and focus on mastering his combat and managing resources, you can uncover a fabulous (albeit short) story that isn’t told in words, but only in its awesome art style.