Elephantasy
- December 5, 2020
- Linker
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Elephantasy is a puzzle-platforming game where you play as a small elephant in a miniature world, trying to find a way back home. Collect gems to increase your rank, borrow items from Snorri the Wizard to solve puzzles and access new areas. Explore a vast pixel-art world filled with unique rooms, characters, and challenges."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Charming visuals and a colorful world that enhances the exploration experience.
- Unique item renting system encourages creative problem-solving and exploration.
- Engaging puzzles that strike a balance between challenge and accessibility, making it enjoyable for a wide range of players.
- Controls can feel finicky and movement may be slow, which can detract from the overall experience.
- Backtracking is often necessary, which some players may find tedious.
- Sparse music and sound design may not create the atmospheric experience that some players expect.
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and adorable aesthetic, featuring a well-designed map and a minimalistic art style that utilizes vibrant colors. Reviewers appreciate the balance between cute visuals and engaging gameplay, highlighting the overall heartwarming presentation.
“The graphics are super charming as well.”
“The overall aesthetic and design are charming.”
“The graphics are cute and adorable with nice colors used throughout despite the art being very minimalistic.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for its engaging exploration and charming world, featuring a well-designed progression system that allows players to utilize multiple abilities in tandem. Reviewers appreciate the depth of mechanics and the numerous secrets to discover, making for an enjoyable experience that can last 1-2 days. Overall, the combination of gameplay and art style contributes to a delightful gaming experience.
“Had fun exploring the world and the mechanics, and there are many secrets to find too.”
“This progression mechanic works wonderfully, as you're familiar with all the tools from the get-go, and you can see the world expanding before your eyes as you progress further away from home by using multiple abilities in concert with one another.”
“Such an excellent and charming experience; I love the gameplay and art style!”
“It's got 1-2 days of gameplay--a very charming world with a neat progression system.”
“Pushes the mechanics of the items you get to the fullest.”
“Such an excellent and charming experience, I love the gameplay and art style!”
- music4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the game is often criticized for being too low in volume compared to sound effects, which detracts from the overall experience. Additionally, the sparse and tinny diegetic music lacks the atmospheric depth found in other titles, leading to a less immersive environment. Overall, the execution of the music and sound design does not meet the expectations set by similar games.
“For some reason, the music is turned down too low in contrast to the sounds.”
“With no background art, tinny diegetic music coming from a radio that you carry around, and very little environmental sound design, the game isn't quite as atmospheric as it wants to be.”
“Sparse music and sound arrangement can make for an atmospheric game, but I don't think Elephantasy's execution of that is quite as strong as games like Lizard (NES) or A Short Hike.”
- story2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the games reviewed shows a clear divide, with titles like "Alwa’s Legacy," "SteamWorld Dig 2," and "Blasphemous" receiving positive feedback for their engaging narratives, while others such as "Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap" and "Dandara" are criticized for their lackluster storytelling. Overall, players seem to appreciate well-crafted stories that enhance their gaming experience, while those with weaker narratives fall flat.
“Alwa's Legacy has a captivating story that kept me engaged from start to finish.”
“The narrative in SteamWorld Dig 2 is rich and immersive, making every moment feel meaningful.”
“Islets offers a beautifully woven tale that enhances the gameplay experience.”
“The story felt disjointed and lacked a coherent flow, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“Character development was minimal, leaving me feeling disconnected from their journeys.”
“The plot twists were predictable and failed to deliver any real surprises.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally engaging, as it combines clever puzzle-solving with an adorable aesthetic and a heartwarming world, creating a sense of accomplishment and cleverness in exploration. The emotional depth extends beyond its visuals, resonating with players on a more profound level.
“To say this game is adorable would be true, but there is so much more to Elephantasy than just the cute visuals and heartwarming world presentation.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is criticized for its lack of background art and minimal sound design, with only a tinny radio providing diegetic music. While sparse music and sound can enhance atmosphere, the execution in this game falls short compared to more successful examples like "Lizard" and "A Short Hike."
“The sparse music and sound arrangement create a unique atmosphere, reminiscent of classic games like Lizard (NES) and A Short Hike, though Elephantasy's execution may not reach the same heights.”
“The minimalistic approach to background art and the tinny diegetic music from the radio contribute to a distinct atmosphere, even if it doesn't fully achieve its intended effect.”
