Zefyr: A Thief's Melody

There was only one game that soothed my mind and that was Ocarina of Time. Now Zefyr is the second and I simply can't help but recommend it. I absolutely admire the developer's work because at the end of the game, in the credits, you can see how the game was created and how much work and passion was put into it. It really warms my heart to be able to be a part of something like this. <3 <3 <3

For a solo project this is very impressive open world action adventure game. I particularly liked the climbing mechanic and exploration, the combat was a bit simplistic but serviceable. The graphics are pretty good too, the water reflections are especially well made. Overall I definitely recommend it!

Great indie game. The controls come naturally, the environment is colorful and fun to explore. This was made with a lot of passion. I have trouble believing only one person made this game!

休閒，是一個適合放鬆的遊戲

*Early Impressions* Though I can't recommend Zephyr at full price to most, if you are a 3d platformer enjoyer that is intrigued by fresh mechanics, there's a surprising amount to soak in, if you can tolerate some campiness. Though the music, character design, questing, dialogue, and new-system pacing leave a *lot* to be desired, the game feel of the jump roll and climbing, as well as the water and level design are *really* inspired. The creator should be super proud of the design direction that they achieved, even if the execution is inconsistent. Check it on sale, if you're curious!

This game is truly a double-edged sword. On one hand, there is plenty to criticize if you’re so inclined: extremely simple AI that’s easily outsmarted, very quiet areas devoid of music, repetitive enemies, and a highly minimalist, unengaging story. On the other hand, however, we have a beautiful game world that is genuinely fun to explore. We traverse the oceans on the back of a turtle, discover new islands, collect a multitude of hidden items, and steadily improve our capabilities with new gear. I’d be lying if I said Zefyr didn’t captivate me. It is, in any case, a lovely homage to The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, one brimming with heart and a real sense of discovery.

I can truly see the passion that went into making this game. Thank you Matthias for an amazing experience! I can't believe more people aren't talking about this game. Zefyr takes me back to my childhood, as if I was playing on my cousin's PS2 again. If there is one word to describe the game, it would be charming. The story and combat may be a simplistic by modern standards, but the art and world design is undeniably beautiful and rich, and reminiscient of old Zelda games. Pros: - Art: Simplistic but stylistic in a way that fits - World and Map: The absolute highlight of my experience was being able to traverse the world on turtleback, with an absolute banger of a soundtrack while doing so. The magnetic climb ability complements the world exploral wonderfully, and I adored being able to explore each nook and cranny for secrets and loot. - Dungeon design: I thoroughly enjoyed each of the dungeons and areas within the game, as well as the puzzles that came with it. - Charm: Nothing in the game takes itself too seriously, from the story to the characters, making this a perfect light-hearted casual game to get into. Even enemies that you defeat are not "killed", but rather knocked out so that they are sleeping (or if they're knocked into water, then enjoying a leisurely swim). Cons: - Combat is extremely simple and largely trivial, especially with the basic enemy AI. Nevertheless, I enjoy the satisfying thwack of knocking an enemy out, whether it is with an arrow or a sneak attack. - Economy: There's like only 5 things you can really buy throughout the entire game (for permanent upgrades), where one upgrade is like 70% of the total cost. This makes money collection meaningless in the late game. If there's one change I would like, it would be to have more things to spend money on (Garnet could sell additional outfits with different abilities, for example). - Wall climb mechanics can sometimes be a bit jank. - Some areas lack music, which can be a bit jarring at times. Nevertheless, this game is truly a hidden gem, and I am extremely thankful that Matthias has pursued the passion for 12-years as a solo developer to make his dream game a reality. This game truly deserves more recognition.