Explorer of Yggdrasil
- March 12, 2021
- Black Train
Get on Steam"Explorer of Yggdrasil" is a 2D pixel art game where you play as a brave adventurer, exploring vast landscapes and battling monsters to become the new hero of Yggdrasil. With procedurally generated levels, numerous weapons, spells, and skills to discover, each playthrough offers a unique experience. The game also features character customization, boss fights, and a crafting system to upgrade your gear.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features an intriguing story that combines mystery and adventure, keeping players engaged as they uncover the protagonist's past.
- The combat system is simple and accessible, allowing players to choose between attacking, fleeing, or healing, which adds a strategic layer to gameplay.
- The art and erotic scenes are well-crafted, with a variety of unlockable outfits and attributes that enhance the character's abilities and add depth to the experience.
- The game suffers from a lack of content and variety, with limited enemy types and a simplistic combat system that can become repetitive.
- The weapon and resource management systems are frustrating, as coins have limited usefulness and the gacha system for weapons can be discouraging.
- The story and character development are weak, with many characters being unlikable and the plot feeling rushed and underdeveloped.
- story51 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story is described as linear and often lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that it feels rushed and primarily serves to connect gameplay elements rather than provide a compelling narrative. While some find the premise intriguing, particularly the mystery surrounding the protagonist Mei's amnesia and her journey up the Yggdrasil tower, others criticize the lack of player agency and the portrayal of characters as mere plot devices. Overall, the story is seen as a mixed bag, with some appreciating its potential while others find it disappointing and cliché.
“The story revolves around Mei, who suffers from amnesia, and her companion, an armless mage, on a quest to reach the top of the tower of God Yggdrasil and uncover the mystery of her past.”
“Although it has some limitations in terms of resource management and weapon system, the intriguing story and character progression make up for these aspects.”
“First off, the story is pretty good; I enjoyed it.”
“Story-wise, there basically isn't one, which is a shame, as this seems to be a steampunk aesthetic with fantasy elements that might be interesting to hear about, but nothing is mentioned; basically everything is in service of the 'plot' fulfillment.”
“The protagonist has no agency in the story; she's just a dumb plot device who goes along with everything that's happening to her.”
“The story is fully linear; there are no alternative routes, endings, or side quests in the game.”
- gameplay28 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of simple mechanics, such as attack, block, and heal, which can become repetitive over time. While some players appreciate the refreshing elements and challenge of the combat system, others find it lacks depth and can be frustrating due to timing requirements. Overall, the game offers a decent experience with enjoyable mechanics, but it may not hold long-term engagement for all players.
“This mechanic adds a spicy and exciting element to the game, providing an immersive and satisfying experience that many players are sure to like.”
“The combat is well-balanced and actually somewhat challenging, due to the blocking mechanics.”
“Great RPG, lots of loot to find (for post-completion) and the game mechanics are pretty fun.”
“Story aside, the gameplay is alright, simple, but also at times impossible to block some attacks unless you have microsecond timing.”
“Gameplay is essentially attack, block, heal and the only thing you change about your character is the class (which stats go up while leveling & what weapon does extra damage) and gear you get from mobs (various weapon types with various stats and extra effects) … but gameplay gets pretty dull pretty fast.”
“The gameplay aspect is pretty much inferior in every way compared to 'branded azel'.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and striking art style, particularly the detailed character designs and facial expressions. While some users note that the artwork is varied and visually appealing, there are mixed feelings about the animations and overall execution compared to previous titles. Despite the game's narrative shortcomings, the art remains a significant draw for players, with many expressing a strong appreciation for its aesthetic appeal.
“Really excellent artwork, especially the facial expressions.”
“The art style of this game is very pretty; the costumes are sexy, and some of the animations are alright but could use a few more frames.”
“Black Train has a distinctive art style that works really well for this kind of game.”
“The only thing that kept me going is the art style; even the CG scene is bad. I think this game was made before Azel. I can't understand how or why a new release game has so much less compared to the previous game. I was expecting more character, a party-based combat, more skill, and obviously more scenes.”
“This may start feeling a bit repetitive, even though the artwork itself is varied enough.”
“The smut is a-ok; you get pixel graphics and illustrations, but it's rather tame. All of them are pretty interesting to read through, but combat is simplistic, and the story is passable.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality, with many reviewers highlighting the superb soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some found certain character voices repetitive and distracting, the music itself is considered a strong point, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.
“The soundtracks are very well done.”
“A heavily content-rich (long) and affordable h-rpg, with top-notch pixel art, animations, and a superb soundtrack to back it up.”
“Translation, visual design, and music are all fine.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is perceived as excessive and artificially implemented, detracting from the overall experience. Players find themselves spending significant time leveling up to keep pace with higher-level enemies, which can feel tedious and unengaging. The lack of meaningful gameplay and a compelling story further exacerbates the grind, making it a less enjoyable aspect of the game.
“It just isn't very good; the art is okay but a bit off (look at the eyes). The story seems pretty dull, there is no gameplay, and it's artificially grindy.”
“As of this review, I'm only around 2+ hours in and made it to the 15th+ floor. Currently grinding levels since enemies there are around level 40+ and I'm only at level 25+ by the time I reached the 15+ floor.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a wholesome overall theme, even though there are occasional setbacks that may impact the experience.
“Despite the odd setback, the overall theme is pretty wholesome.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users highlight that the game's replayability is exceptionally high, making it a compelling experience to revisit.
“The replay value is outstanding!”
“Every playthrough feels fresh and engaging, making me want to dive back in.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is noted for its visually striking designs, particularly in the female characters, which feature distinctive ahegao expressions during intimate scenes. However, the focus seems to lean more towards aesthetic appeal rather than deep narrative growth or complexity.
