Embers of Mirrim
- May 24, 2017
- Creative Bytes Studios
If you’re looking for something that combines both the platforming and puzzling world, whilst trying something a little different, Embers of Mirrim is for you.
Embers of Mirrim is a controller-only adventure-platformer where players control a creature that can split into light and dark embers, each controlled by an analog stick. As Mirrim, players must navigate through stunning landscapes and restore peace to the world by harnessing the power of two distinct races. This unique control scheme offers a fresh and satisfying platforming experience.
Reviews
- The game features a unique splitting mechanic that adds variety and challenge to the gameplay.
- Visually stunning with great art direction, music, and a beautiful environment that immerses players.
- Controls are generally fluid and responsive, making the gameplay enjoyable despite some minor issues.
- The game is quite short, with a completion time of around 3-4 hours, which may leave players wanting more.
- There are several bugs and issues with hitboxes, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- The story and character development are lacking, making the narrative feel underwhelming and bland.
- gameplay11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews highlight a mixed experience; while the unique splitting mechanic adds variety and depth to the platforming, some players find the overall gameplay loop tedious and not significantly altered by new mechanics. The game starts off easy but gradually increases in difficulty, providing a solid challenge that keeps players engaged. Overall, the mechanics are well-executed, complemented by appealing art and music, though some players feel the initial excitement may wane over time.
“The platforming gameplay is largely straightforward, but the unique property of the main character is the ability -- and the requirement -- to split into two halves, allowing both halves to move about the 2D space independently.”
“The game starts out easy, with parallel movements, but ramps up the difficulty, mixing in different mechanics, necessary movements, and more, making a challenging puzzle to solve.”
“Solid platformer - just when you start feeling like a mechanic or technique is getting stale, the game either introduces you to a new ability, or ramps up the difficulty.”
“Yes, there are new mechanics being introduced regularly, but they don't change the gameplay loop much, in my opinion, at least not so far.”
“The platforming gameplay is largely straightforward, but the unique property of the main character is the ability -- and the requirement -- to split into two halves, allowing both halves to move about the 2D space independently.”
“The game starts out easy, with parallel movements, but ramps up the difficulty, mixing in different mechanics, necessary movements, and more, making for a challenging puzzle to solve.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising the art direction and overall polish, though some find the soundtrack to be limited. While the soundtrack is considered decent, the sound effects have received criticism for being subpar. Overall, the music contributes positively to the immersive experience of the game.
“The art, music, and cinematography just kept me immersed in each level and cinematic.”
“Also, though an indie game, the polish is remarkable - both the music and the visuals are very good.”
“The mechanics work well and the art direction and music are very good.”
“The soundtrack is okay, but the sound effects are pretty bad.”
“The few songs there are on the soundtrack are pretty good.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's graphics receive mixed reviews, with some players finding them unimpressive while others praise the visuals as gorgeous and polished, comparable to titles like "Ori and the Blind Forest." The overall atmosphere is described as pleasant, enhancing the gameplay experience.
“The graphics are very gorgeous; the game's aesthetic is reminiscent of 'Ori and the Blind Forest', but while that is a Metroid clone, this is a linear platformer.”
“Also, though an indie game, the polish is remarkable - both the music and the visuals are very good.”
“Graphics are good, the atmosphere is pleasant, and the puzzles are fun; sometimes they'll make your brain freeze.”
“Graphics-wise, the game is not impressive.”
“The visuals feel outdated and lack detail.”
“Character models are poorly designed and lack realism.”
- story3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story is minimalistic and largely wordless, featuring a linear and short narrative that can be completed in about three hours. While some players appreciate the "findibles" aspect, the overall character development and emotional depth are considered lacking, leading to mixed feelings about its quality.
“There's a story, even without words, which is great. Some collectibles (actually, 'findables'), but it's very linear and short. My only complaint is the length; it took me 3 hours to beat it, so I recommend waiting for a sale to buy this.”
“The story is engaging and well-crafted, drawing players into its world.”
“The narrative unfolds beautifully, with rich character development and emotional depth.”
“And the story?”
“The story is mediocre; the characters don't emote at all.”
“The narrative lacks depth and engagement.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has been reported to have several bugs, leading some users to recommend waiting for a sale before purchasing.
“Probably wait for a sale... it's a bit buggy.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced constant lag and glitches that ruined the experience.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game visually appealing and initially intriguing, but ultimately describe it as tiresome and tedious, detracting from the overall experience.
“It looked great in the screenshots and all, the mechanic seemed interesting, but honestly, it's rather just tiresome and tedious.”
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I expected a fun challenge, but the constant grinding just feels like a chore.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is characterized by good graphics and a pleasant ambiance, enhancing the overall experience while engaging players with fun and occasionally challenging puzzles.
“The graphics are stunning, creating a pleasant atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
“The atmosphere is immersive and engaging, making every moment feel alive.”
“The puzzles are fun and occasionally challenging, adding to the captivating atmosphere.”
Critic Reviews
Embers of Mirrim Review
All told, Embers Of Mirrim is a delightful fantasy adventure with only a few notable flaws. It may be a bit on the short side and have some jarring bottlenecks that pull you out of your enjoyment, but it’s a beautiful game to experience from an artistic standpoint. We would recommend it to anyone who has an appreciation for art in gaming form. Although the gameplay sometimes misses that mark, Mirrim nonetheless stands as a worthy experience for those that are looking to try something a little more thoughtful.
70%Embers of Mirrim Review
Although Embers of Mirrim doesn't last long, it has some unique ideas and stays entertaining throughout. The controls for both Mirrim and the embers are functionally solid. The most clever moments tend to unexpected, such as when trying to move the embers in different directions. Dodging minions and navigating a twisting passageway becomes quite a bit more interesting when it requires controlling two heroes at the same time. While the lack of replay-value is a shame, this is still an adventure worth experiencing.
70%Embers of Mirrim Review
Embers of Mirrim came out of nowhere to be one of the best platformers in any console generation. It will give the player the sense they can do things they never thought possible, and the feeling of self-satisfaction upon beating that boss, finally crossing that tricky section, or reaching a new area is so profound here, it's stunning. Even if you aren't a fan of platformers, this one is a must-try.
100%