Evoland 2

The first [i]Evoland[/i] was a gimmick-based game. As you move through the game, the graphics update from very primitive 2D to pretty good 3D; while the gameplay is a mishmash of different genres. I liked it, don't get me wrong, but it's fairly shallow, especially narratively. For the sequel, the developers took the idea of using historical graphical styles to represent different periods of in-game history, and converted that to a very solid and varied RPG with a deep and non-linear story. Most of this game is an action hack-n-slash, be it in isometric 3D, top-down 2D, or side-on platformer. However, there are also many, many sections which change it up, with a much wider variety than in the previous game. Match-three, bullet hell, party-based ATB systems, puzzles, one-on-one fighter, beat-em-up... they're all there and more. This is both a strength and a weakness. On the one hand, it keeps things fresh and never stagnant. But the negative is that you need pretty diverse tastes or you'll eventually hit something you don't like, or don't think is well implemented. But it's the game's story that I find most interesting. I don't want to go into too much detail to avoid spoilers. But, despite starting with the cliche of the hero waking up with amnesia, the game goes on to tell a complex and non-linear story with ambiguous motivations and conclusions. A lot of stuff is left implicit, which I mean here as a positive: this rewards paying attention and also interpretation. The characters also all have distinct and well-realised personalities; I liked how a particular romantic relationship was clear, despite I think no romantic language being used. Imaginative and inventive, [i]Evoland 2[/i] is great.