I tried to write a preview for Enigma Heart by @HadroSoft on the Steam page but was told I had to wait until it was released. So I'll post it here:
This impressions / preview is based off a pre-release build provided by the developer. I played it on my ASUS ROG Ally Z1 running Bazzite, using the Linux/SteamOS native executable.
Do you remember playing Zelda II: The Adventures of Link as a kid and completing Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore only to wonder why MetroidVania took off as a genre, but not Zelda II clones? Maybe you like stories about lesbians with swords like I do.
Well in Enigma Heart you play as Zalia, a skilled sword fighter with amnesia and an eye for a certain redhead. Side-scrolling 2D pixel art goodness, action-adventure game play with light RPG elements, and a cow named Dog!
Okay, sales pitch aside I really do wonder why I haven't run into many games inspired by Zelda II when Metroidvanias are so popular. I'm happy to see Hadrosaurus pick up that particular thread. The pre-release build is basically Act I of a larger adventure. If you're fresh and an average player it'll take a few hours. If you've played it a few times you can speed run it in about 30-40 minutes.
Controls are solid and familiar, while also being fully remappable. Graphics are on the whole somewhere between NES and SNES quality with parallax. Sound design is thumpy. Zalia earns movement and combat upgrades as she levels up, like Link's down thrust or a baseball slide similar to Mega Man's from the NES games.
All in all it's extremely promising and I will absolutely come back with each update in eager anticipation for the full release, TBD.
Wishlist Enigma Heart today: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2986980/Enigma_Heart/
#EnigmaHeart #Steam #IndieGames #Zelda #ZeldaII