We reviewed Highwater within the wake of its huge console/PC launch. Listed below are our prolonged ideas on this post-apocalyptic high-seas journey.
It took some time however Demagog Studio’s watersoaked journey lastly made it onto consoles and PCs after its preliminary launch on cell platforms in 2022. And whereas it nonetheless feels very very similar to a port of a title for a a lot smaller display screen, Highwater is the type of expertise solely video video games can ship. Even when a few of it flaws change into extra obtrusive on the massive display screen.
So right here is our Assessment of Highwater.
*Reviewed on PlayStation 5, Copy was Supplied by the Writer*
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Highwater Assessment
Highwater makes a variety of sense when you notice it is a port of a cell recreation. Its chapters are deliciously brief and your complete recreation is greatest described as lo-fi tracks to look at the world finish. It is a visible feast with immaculate vibes nevertheless it falls brief in its translation to the massive display screen. What works briefly 5-10 minute play periods within the bus or on break, would not maintain up whenever you’re enjoying by it in hour-long sittings.
However let’s begin from the highest. Highwater is an journey RPG factor the place you boat across the remnants of the sunken metropolis of Alphaville Waterworld fashion. You play Nikos, a survivor who alongside together with his associates is planning a swift escape from what’s left of our now even bluer, pale blue dot. The objective is obvious, money in all of the goodwill he has amassed with the leftover residents of Alphaville and make it to Mars on one of many final rockets leaving the planet.
The setup is improbable, the vibes out of this world however Highwater looks as if a recreation restraint by its scope and preliminary launch platform. Its world tries to promote you on a laid-back type of apocalypse the place folks dwell within the sunken ruins of a as soon as mighty civilization with the standard quantity of warring factions and colourful characters.
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Characters, moments, and areas are by no means given sufficient time to breathe. All the things simply occurs so quick, characters elude to occasions or relationships that solely exist to have the plot transfer alongside at a brisk tempo. It is a disgrace as a result of Highwater presents a colourful, chill tackle a post-apocalyptic world that I might’ve beloved to discover extra.
You discover this world principally by boat or in small areas you get to discover. There is not a lot to search out however the occasional newspaper or guide makes for good collectibles in between story beats. I have not grown bored of Highwater’s greens, grays, and blues but however I can see them sporting skinny on anybody who desires to marathon this title.
Then there’s the fight, a pleasant tackle tactical RPG fight with none of the leveling and development you normally see within the style. You get to play as Nikos and his many associates in small kerfuffles throughout town.
Credit score the place credit score is due, whereas the fight system is pretty easy, every encounter is its personal puzzle to unravel. In an deserted storage home you get to know over cabinets whereas one other encounter has you make use of a random bear assault. This retains encounters contemporary and memorable even when a few of them take a little bit too lengthy for my style.
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There’s additionally this little challenge the place there are a variety of characters playable in numerous conditions, they don’t seem to be too totally different from one another since most encounters will be solved by interacting together with your atmosphere. I might’ve beloved it if characters and enemies had a little bit extra depth to them.
Whereas these fight puzzles are enjoyable to unravel, it hardly ever makes a distinction which character you are enjoying. I would typically end an encounter with one or two characters in my social gathering useless, however because you’re solely defeated if all of them fall in battle I might simply make a few of them sacrificial lambs.
The same factor goes for its story, it has the appropriate setup and all of the instruments to succeed however the characters appear so detached and nonchalant concerning the issues occurring round them that it is laborious to be engaged. Nikos is a clean slate, barely an individual in addition to being vaguely charming. The shortage of any stakes or tonally constant world.
The saving grace of this recreation which might in any other case land within the “It is alright”-bin is its immaculate vibes. Its greatest moments are whenever you navigate on a ship by the ruined metropolis whereas its improbable authentic soundtrack drips round within the background. I can simply think about a model of this title that is simply boating round city to the music whereas scavenging for assets to carry house and I feel I like that model extra.
And I am unsure if that is simply on me. All the things I’ve seen and gamers is nice, typically even nice nevertheless it barely stands out at the back of my thoughts. However whenever you’re on that boat and Highwater Pirate Radio blares within the background, there’s actually nothing prefer it.
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Highwater Rating – 6/10
You may be capable of inform that I am actually conflicted about Highwater. I don’t know if and the way I can suggest this recreation even on the 20$ USD worth level. It is high-quality, it is inoffensive at worst however in case you do not vibe with its vibe, you will not prefer it.
And because the recreation is free on the telephone for anybody with a Netflix subscription, I might quite suggest you verify this one out as an alternative. It is high-quality on console and PC, do not get me incorrect nevertheless it’s clear that this is not its goal platform, and except you actually dig what it is placing up, you may end up drifting in a mire of mediocrity.
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