New edition
Chronos: Before the Ashes is not a new game, although many people may have missed its original release in 2016 due to the fact that it was only released on VR-enabled devices. The difference between the versions is that in the case of a newer release, you do not need a virtual reality headset to enjoy the gameplay. In addition, I did not find any major changes in the production.
Two worlds
The game begins with an atmospheric animation depicting an old woman who uses a game of shadows to show how the feuds between the King, the Dragon and the Cyclops led to a cataclysm on earth. After this fairy-tale story, we are thrown into the game, but what we see differs significantly from what we expected. At the beginning, we do not go to a fantastic land, but with a sword in one hand and a shield in the other, we will explore a huge concrete building that looks like a combination of a bunker and a hospital. We will spend the lion’s share of the game in a fairy-tale world anyway, but the creators in an interesting way introduced an element of slight disorientation combined with a controlled ludonarrative dissonance.
Age brings with it wisdom
The combat mechanics may resemble that of the popular Dark Souls series , but it is not so punishing. This means that we will prove ourselves in duels with a small number of schematic opponents. The difference is that one mistake will rarely cost us our lives. In Chronos: Before the Ashesthe creators took an innovative approach to the subject of death, which is not the end, it does not go back in time, nor does it force us to load the record, but takes us exactly one year into the future. We start the game when we are eighteen (or eighteen) and each time we enter a new decade, we get a new passive skill to choose from. The idea, though interesting, was implemented cowardly. It would seem that we will be under the pressure of inevitable death from old age if we die too many times. The creators decided to introduce the ability to block aging if the hero reaches eighty years. In addition to age, we gain experience that allows us to distribute skill points between four categories: strength, dexterity, mysticism and vitality. The mechanics of aging has a significant impact on character development, because initially it is cheaper to drive strength and dexterity, and mysticism is more expensive, but with age these proportions are reversed. ThoughChronos: Before the Ashes mimics the mechanics of the Dark Souls series , it is a game much easier to master. The enemy’s attacks don’t take that much health points, and there aren’t many types of enemies. The game becomes even simpler as the hero progresses.
Real Chiaroscuro
Earlier, I mentioned the initial animation which used light from a campfire to tell a story. Now I would like to extend this to a whole game where playing with light and shadow is commonplace and noticeable from the very first step. A red alarm in a bunker, the sun, torches, fires, or a reflection in a mirror are just a few examples of the use of this technique. The hero’s backpack is also interesting, it moves depending on the stance and the center of gravity. This means that its animation will be different when running, walking, fighting, or when the character is limping. The visuals have not aged at all during these four years, and the fairy-tale graphics still please the eye.
Much could be improved
Releasing a new game port is a great opportunity to fix things that are broken or simply didn’t work out. I have many reservations about the work of the camera, which tries to draw our attention to a specific thing, despite the fact that there is an opponent lurking nearby. In addition, after blocking it on an enemy, it often flies into the wall, making it impossible to see anything. I completely didn’t like the plot connection between the two worlds, which I consider a stretch, and the very ending of the story – not very satisfying.
Dragon, King and Cyclops
In the plethora of marathon games taking weeks to complete was a gem that I completed in six hours. Despite many disadvantages and a fairly low level of difficulty, I must honestly admit that I had a great time. The game is short, linear and concise, and the puzzles it presents to the player are engaging. The title encourages with its graphic design, animation and innovative solutions, from which unfortunately the full potential has not been reached. If someone is looking for a soulslike game that is shorter, more accessible to new players and more forgiving, then Chronos: Before the Ashes should definitely pay attention .
We would like to thank Koch Media Poland for the copy of the game for review.
