AER Memories of Old

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,011 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
AER Memories of Old Game Cover
AER - Memories of Old is a serene experience that boasts exceptionally fluid movement and pressureless exploration.
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In AER Memories of Old, you play as a young girl who can transform into a bird, allowing you to explore a beautifully crafted ancient world filled with ruins and mysteries. Solve puzzles, discover secrets, and uncover the history of a civilization long gone while navigating through breathtaking landscapes and cloudscapes. Experience a serene atmosphere and a touching narrative in this open-world adventure game.

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Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,011 reviews
story364 positive mentions
replayability5 negative mentions
  • Beautiful and vibrant art style that enhances the atmosphere.
  • Relaxing gameplay with enjoyable flying mechanics.
  • Intriguing lore and world-building that encourages exploration.
  • Short playtime with a lack of content for the full price.
  • Puzzles are overly simplistic and not very challenging.
  • Abrupt and unsatisfying ending that leaves many questions unanswered.
  • story1,220 mentions

    The story of "Aer: Memories of Old" is a fragmented narrative that unfolds through exploration, requiring players to piece together lore from scattered texts and environmental cues. While some players appreciate the minimalistic and atmospheric storytelling, many find the plot to be simplistic, lacking depth, and the ending abrupt, leaving them wanting more. Overall, the game offers a serene experience with beautiful visuals and music, but its short and often vague story may not satisfy those seeking a more engaging narrative.

    • “The storyline is fantastic, and I love the adventure and puzzle aspects!”
    • “The music, the visuals, the storyline, all so beautiful and touching I don't think I will ever forget it.”
    • “Aer is a relaxing exploration game, with a few puzzles and no combat or other mechanics; almost a story-game if you will.”
    • “The story is poor and uninteresting, the journey is long-winded and anti-climactic, and there are no characters or plot developments to speak of.”
    • “The story was hard to follow and with minimal engagement it just felt lackluster and disordered.”
    • “The story is barely there and you've heard the same story literally a hundred times before.”
  • gameplay597 mentions

    The gameplay in "Aer: Memories of Old" is primarily centered around its exceptional flying mechanics, which many players find enjoyable and intuitive, allowing for a relaxing exploration of a beautifully crafted world. However, the game suffers from a lack of depth, as the majority of gameplay consists of simple puzzles and platforming that often feel disconnected from the flight mechanic, leading to a somewhat repetitive experience. While the serene atmosphere and art style are praised, the overall gameplay is considered minimalistic and lacking in challenge, making it more of a casual exploration experience than a traditional game.

    • “The flying mechanics are intuitive and the world is beautiful and intriguing.”
    • “The flight mechanics are so good and the music and colors are so nice... really refreshing experience.”
    • “The gameplay seamlessly blends exploration and puzzle-solving, creating a harmonious and engaging experience.”
    • “The gameplay is... non-existent, outside of the flight mechanic.”
    • “The flying mechanic is fine enough, but it's only ever used to go from temple to temple and in temples all you do is baby's first puzzle solving (literally match the shape) and brainless platforming.”
    • “This really undermines the whole exploration gameplay, which is one third of the gameplay you get to experience.”
  • music593 mentions

    The music in "Aer: Memories of Old" is widely praised for its calming and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the game's exploration and flight mechanics. Many players appreciate the dynamic transitions between tracks when switching from flying to walking, creating a seamless experience that complements the beautiful visuals. However, some critiques mention that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time and lacks variety, with a few players finding certain tracks less fitting for the game's tone. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's relaxing ambiance.

    • “Loved soaring through the skies and exploring the different islands to music which manages to be both upbeat and relaxing at the same time.”
    • “The tranquil atmosphere, coupled with an immersive soundtrack, evokes a sense of wonder that stays with players long after they've completed the journey.”
    • “The music, the visuals, the storyline, all so beautiful and touching I don't think I will ever forget it.”
    • “I also think the soundtrack tries a bit too hard to create a sense of wholesomeness that gets really irksome when that basically becomes the soundtrack of you cluelessly following one vague instruction after the next in a universe that seemingly obeys no laws but the randomness of a self-edifying mythology thrown at you for the sake of 'being inspirational'.”
    • “The music is a mix of atmospheric when inside a cave or something, and frickin' banjo while outside.”
    • “The music is gentle, calm, and adds to a dreamlike, meditative atmosphere.”
  • graphics553 mentions

    The graphics of "Aer: Memories of Old" are characterized by a charming low-poly art style that many players find visually appealing, with vibrant colors and atmospheric design enhancing the overall experience. While some appreciate the minimalist aesthetic and its ability to create a serene environment, others feel that the graphics can appear simplistic or underwhelming in certain areas, leading to mixed opinions on their effectiveness. Overall, the visuals are often praised for their beauty and ability to complement the game's tranquil gameplay and soundtrack.

    • “The beautiful graphics absolutely make this game!”
    • “Aer is a beautiful atmospheric game with stunning visuals and pleasing sound design that results in a calm and relaxing experience.”
    • “The graphics are low-poly, true, but it makes it all very pleasant to the eyes, while keeping the game light on performance.”
    • “The graphics are rather eh and get boring quick...”
    • “Also the art style is just not my thing; maybe personal, but it made the game look more in its early stages with the low-poly look rather than an actual fully fleshed out game.”
    • “The stylized graphics ended up looking simply unfinished, and the world didn't grab me.”
  • atmosphere203 mentions

    The atmosphere in *aer: memories of old* is widely praised for its serene and immersive qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and unique art style. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of wonder and tranquility through its visuals, sound design, and worldbuilding, making it a standout experience for fans of atmospheric exploration. While some critiques mention repetitive elements, the overall consensus highlights the game's enchanting ambiance as its greatest strength.

    • “Overall, aer nails the atmosphere and the wonder of exploration with some amazing writing and worldbuilding.”
    • “The tranquil atmosphere, coupled with an immersive soundtrack, evokes a sense of wonder that stays with players long after they've completed the journey.”
    • “Aer is a beautiful atmospheric game with stunning visuals and pleasing sound design that results in a calm and relaxing experience.”
    • “It might feel fine your first two dungeons, as you get to admire the game's art, environmental storytelling, and atmosphere, but after a while, it became very tedious and boring, as I slowly made my way through massive caves I should've been able to fly in.”
    • “The game tries to use silence to build up the atmosphere, but it doesn't work; hearing your footsteps echoing just gets tired after a while.”
    • “I don't want to be focused on puzzle-solving when I would rather be focusing on taking in the atmosphere and appreciating the world.”
  • emotional61 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its beautiful visuals, touching soundtrack, and a wholesome yet bittersweet narrative that resonates with players. While many found the story to be simple and at times lacking depth, it still evoked strong feelings of nostalgia and introspection, making it a memorable experience for those who appreciate emotional storytelling. However, some players felt disconnected due to the game's lack of urgency and emotional stakes, leading to mixed feelings about its overall impact.

    • “The music, the visuals, the storyline, all so beautiful and touching; I don't think I will ever forget it.”
    • “It's a deeply emotional and thought-provoking journey that resonates long after the game is over.”
    • “It encourages you to soar through the skies and explore ruins while telling you a heartbreakingly beautiful story of a world at the edge of collapse.”
    • “The game is a walking simulator, with a boring story.”
    • “Slightly boring story, puzzles way too easy.”
    • “It's a chill and unique game, but with a boring story.”
  • replayability26 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find enjoyment in revisiting the world for exploration and relaxation, many note that the short playtime and lack of a compelling narrative limit its replay value. Achievements and the freedom to continue flying after completing the story provide some incentive for replay, but the abrupt ending and minimal content may leave players feeling unsatisfied. Ultimately, it serves as a pleasant diversion rather than a game with significant replayability.

    • “I loved it, and I'll play it again because it is replayable, if nothing else for the relaxation of flying through floating landscapes, visiting ancient relics set in engaging countryside, wondering at underground mysteries, and taking in more of the story.”
    • “These add even more depth and replayability to the game, and I found myself wanting to explore every nook and cranny of the world to find them all.”
    • “But most importantly, the physics behind flying and falling in general are what make this game so replayable even after the story is complete and there's nothing really else to do besides just fly.”
    • “While there’s not much replayability aside from revisiting it for nostalgia, the single playthrough is memorable.”
    • “I do have to say I was a bit disappointed with how it ended as it left me with a bunch of questions as everything just faded to white and the credits rolled... and it doesn't really have any replayability value after finishing, except maybe if you want to get any achievements you've missed.”
    • “On the other hand, it was £14 for about 4 hours of gameplay, with (let's be honest) no replay value.”
  • grinding24 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, often requiring a significant time investment that can feel overwhelming. While the initial exploration and art are appreciated, the repetitive nature of puzzles and backtracking detracts from the experience, leading to a sense of monotony. Many reviews suggest that the game could benefit from more engaging mechanics to alleviate the grind.

    • “There is no tedious bookkeeping of strength, skills, inventory, etc. There are no bad guys, no combat, nothing leaps out and yells 'boo', no gore, no real tension.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It might feel fine your first two dungeons, as you get to admire the game's art, environmental storytelling, and atmosphere, but after a while, it became very tedious and boring, as I slowly made my way through massive caves I should've been able to fly in.”
    • “But whenever it's time to solve a puzzle in a cave or explore a temple, the game grounds you until you complete simplistic platforming sections and do lots of tedious backtracking between doors, keys, and mechanical contraptions long after you figured out their solutions.”
  • stability24 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and control issues that can disrupt gameplay, such as invisible barriers, floating objects, and freezing movement. While some players noted that these problems are not always game-breaking, they significantly detract from the overall experience, particularly on Linux systems. Overall, the game appears to require further polish to address these stability concerns.

    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the performance is, even during intense gameplay.”
    • “It runs great on Linux (with a controller too)!”
    • “I forgot to mention this as well, but there are no manual saves in the game. There are only 4 checkpoints for you to save, which is fine, but the game sometimes would be buggy and you would not be able to jump or transform, or the loading screen would not load and you have to alt+F4.”
    • “This game had potential - too bad that it's buggy and I entered the first temple and had to redo it 3 times... unplayable normally... I had to take a guide to finish this because no quest log exists.”
    • “Meh game at best, I have had multiple game-breaking glitches such as falling through the floor.”
  • optimization23 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game is mixed; while many players report smooth performance and minimal bugs, others experience significant lag and clunky mechanics, particularly in certain areas. The low-poly art style generally allows for better performance on lower-end PCs, but some users feel that the developers did not adequately address optimization issues, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. Despite these concerns, the game is often praised for its pleasant visuals and soundtrack.

    • “No bugs or issues here; the game runs smoothly without a hitch.”
    • “Thanks to its low-poly and minimal art style, I'm confident it'll run smoothly even on low-end PCs.”
    • “The game itself runs smoothly, no bugs or anything... it's also very peaceful and beautiful!”
    • “While offering a pleasant experience with its awesome music, aer: memories of old falls short due to significant optimization issues and gameplay that feels uninteresting and ordinary.”
    • “My only complaints are that it seems poorly optimized - a few areas had some lag - and that the flying mechanic isn't as smooth as I would have liked for a mostly flying game.”
    • “But this... frankly, it seems as if the devs didn't spend any thought on optimization at all.”
  • character development11 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally viewed as minimal, with some characters lacking arcs that make them relatable, such as Auk. However, the unique character designs and appealing lore are frequently praised, with many players highlighting the game's stunning visuals and art direction as standout features. Overall, while character growth may be limited, the aesthetic and design elements contribute significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The character designs are fantastic, with each character having their own unique look and personality.”
    • “The lore here, and the character designs, especially for the spirits, is very appealing.”
    • “I'd almost argue that the game was simple to a fault, but the quality of the writing, character design, and animations with near-perfect world traversal make it an experience worth revisiting.”
    • “Auk has no character development and no arc, making her unrelatable, though just short of being unlikable.”
    • “There is no character development, but in this game, it's not even necessary.”
    • “But I'd recommend playing the game just to see the character designs.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its cute and whimsical references, with players finding joy in exploring the environment for amusing details. The protagonist, a bird-shifter named Auk, adds to the charm with her quirky personality, while the achievements provide lighthearted fun. Overall, the narrative is heartfelt and colorful, evoking genuine laughter through its delightful storytelling rather than relying solely on traditional humor.

    • “Very cute, with many funny references that delighted me.”
    • “It's really, simply, a nice story told to you in a nice, funny, and colorful way.”
    • “Characters: you play a girl with funny hair named Auk, a bird-shifter on a pilgrimage, and then you undertake a holy mission.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has mixed reviews, with some players expressing frustration over microtransactions that significantly impact gameplay, while others appreciate that certain microtransactions do not interfere with the overall experience. Additionally, the game's focus on flight, heavily advertised, is criticized for its limited utility and minimal narrative integration.

    • “Microtransactions that do not interfere with gameplay.”
    • “Microtransactions over gameplay!”
    • “Microtransactions that significantly affect the gameplay.”
    • “Flight is a big part of the game's advertisement, but its only reason to exist is to get from one island to another; it gets passing mention in the story and can't even be used inside locations.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

67% average critic score

Buy AER Memories of Old

Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
3hMain story
4hCompletionist
4-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 21 analyzed playthroughs

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