Flintlock Siege of Dawn Review – A great time, lovingly made

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve played my fair share of action RPGs and Soulslikes. But let me tell you, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn has left an indelible mark on me unlike any other game in this genre.


As a passionate gamer, I’ve hardly found a new release as captivating as Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn in recent years. Each moment I invest in this game is a testament to the dedication and passion of its creators, making every second an enjoyable experience.

Gameplay

Flintlock Siege of Dawn Review – A great time, lovingly made

Newcomer Flintlock joins the Soulslike genre; let’s evaluate its performance against established competitors. Worry not, it holds its own. During tutorial, you learn fundamental skills like attacking, healing, and most importantly, shooting.

When I learned the right technique for gun parrying, I was excitedly looking forward to an enjoyable experience with Flintlock, and it truly lived up to my expectations. The combat is intense and meticulously animated, though it may feel a bit slow-paced occasionally. Surprisingly, movement turns out to be a significant element in the game as a whole.

Powdered Mobility is a revolutionary feature that empowers you with the ability to perform double jumps and double dashes, complete with captivating animations and sound effects. It transcends being just a mobility trick, acting instead as your most effective weapon for managing battles. Utilize it to flee from crowds of enemies, launch special attacks like Ground Slam or Jump Attack, and in times of need, employ it as an emergency evasive maneuver.

Enki, your cunning companion and divine power source, significantly influences gameplay. He imbues your weapons with magical abilities. Utilizing Enki in conjunction with your assaults allows you to effortlessly cast the ‘Curse’ upon opponents, akin to a bleed effect in Elden Ring. Once the meter is fully charged, you can unleash a powerful crit on your foe, stripping them of their armor or dealing a fatal blow (accompanied by an impressive kill animation).

As a gamer, I can tell you that the game’s mechanics provide a solid foundation for my character. But what truly enhances this experience is the rich and diverse world around me. There are enemy camps to raid, hamlets in need of liberation, and an endless list of side quests waiting to be completed. Each of these activities offers its own unique rewards, giving me ample reason to use my skills and equipment. Plus, I can take my time to explore the beautifully crafted environments at my leisure. So, not only do I have a strong character, but I also get to enjoy an immersive gaming experience with endless opportunities for adventure.

Regarding the equipment in Flintlock, its gear system is truly impressive, offering an extensive collection of weapons and armor. You might assume that your options are limited to an axe and a flintlock, but think again. As you progress, you’ll discover hammers, swords, a blunderbuss, and even a flamethrower. So, there’s plenty of versatility for various playstyles.

As a gamer, I can tell you that the skills in this game are thoughtfully designed, well-balanced, and executed perfectly. They’re not just about increasing simple stats; instead, each skill has a noticeable effect on how you play. For instance, I can dodge attacks effectively or parry unblockable attacks with my gun. Then there’s the amazing ability of Enki to levitate enemies, keeping them at bay. The skills are diverse and add depth to the gameplay experience.

All in all, the gameplay here is tons of fun, and kept me coming back for more.

Score – 4.5/5

Story

Flintlock Siege of Dawn Review – A great time, lovingly made

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: The plot isn’t exactly revolutionary – you’re tasked with eliminating gods who stumbled through the gate to the Gods’ realm after your arrogant shot at the big, radiant barrier. You’ll traverse different zones where they wreak havoc and encounter new and familiar faces. The climax brings you back for a showdown against Uru, the Ravager. This is typical for games of this genre, and it seems rather brief, rushing to end just after defeating the second major story boss. However, what sets this game apart are unique characters Nor and Enki, which no other game offers.

I assume the role of Nor Vanek, the tenacious Sapper in the frontlines, adept at handling explosive Black Powder. The Sapper folk are tough customers, and Nor is no exception. My fervor to repel the undead hordes once and for all drives me to make a small misstep, triggering some enraged deities onto the mortal realms. Shortly after this blunder, I cross paths with Enki, who reveals himself as a God. Despite my error, he offers assistance in rectifying the situation. Consequently, we embark on a quest, as the game’s tagline suggests, to eliminate all gods.

Nor and Enki are extraordinarily well-written and acted characters that truly bring the game to life. Olive Gray’s portrayal of Nor left me in awe. Nor is an incredibly resilient human being with a strong will and a tender heart, carrying the burden of the world while seldom pausing to address her own emotions. She focuses on the welfare of others, displaying a vibrant personality that shines through in every scene. Nor’s humor and relatability add depth to her character, making her feel authentic rather than contrived.

As a seasoned mythologist with years of studying ancient civilizations and their gods under my belt, I can tell you that the relationship between Enki and Nor is nothing if not intriguing. It’s a tale of mutual suspicion giving way to a wobbly alliance, a dance between godhood and humanity.

These characters are impressive on their own, but when they come together, they take a seemingly ordinary and brief fantasy tale and transform it into a heartwarming story about the development of a genuine and authentic friendship.

Score – 4/5

Bosses

Flintlock Siege of Dawn Review – A great time, lovingly made

As a huge fan of Soulslike games, I can’t help but address this issue in Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn. Regrettably, I found myself encountering an issue reminiscent of Dark Souls 2. Three of the major bosses, such as Rammuha, seemed more like heavily armored individuals wielding impressive weapons rather than unique and engaging foes. While visually stunning, they failed to introduce significant variations in gameplay, with the exception of the final boss.

One aspect of the game is that it features some remarkable distinctive bosses. In the second significant region, there’s a boss that mirrors you, implying it can perform all the actions you can! This encounter calls for careful consideration rather than simply relying on parries and gun breaks as many other fights have ended up being. The ultimate adversary also introduces variety, particularly in the second phase where your Enki abilities are taken away, leaving only your Powder and Steel to face the challenge.

Flintlock shows that it can mix things up, but sadly it doesn’t quite as much as I’d like it to.

Score – 3/5

Final Verdict

In summary, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn provided an exceptional gaming experience for me. I was consistently entertained from start to finish due to engaging core mechanics, captivating main characters, and stunningly designed environments filled with various activities. Nevertheless, the game could have been improved with more challenging boss battles that showcased my abilities and gear, as well as a more developed and less hurried main storyline.

Flintlock Siege of Dawn Review – A great time, lovingly made

[Disclosure: A free copy of the game was provided to PGG for review purposes.]

Read More

2024-07-17 15:21