Prodigal

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 285 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Prodigal Game Cover
Starting at €4.99Buy now
Get on Steam Get on itch.io Store

"Prodigal" is a single-player Fantasy Role Playing game with an intriguing story and splendid gameplay. As the runaway miner Oran, return to your childhood town of Vann's Point, fight through treacherous dungeons, solve unique puzzles, and rebuild relationships with past friends and new townsfolk. With delightful graphics, a spectacular soundtrack, and lots of grinding, prepare for a highly emotional journey filled with adventure and suspense.

  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 285 reviews
story52 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions
  • The game is a charming homage to classic Zelda titles, particularly with its puzzle design and exploration mechanics.
  • The character development and relationships are well-crafted, making the interactions engaging and meaningful.
  • The post-game content significantly expands the game, offering a wealth of additional quests and challenges.
  • Some players may find the combat simplistic and the bosses too easy, lacking the challenge found in other action-adventure games.
  • The story can be confusing at times, with important lore and character motivations hidden in optional texts and journals.
  • The game lacks quality-of-life features, such as a quest log or clear indicators for character locations, which can lead to frustration.
  • story216 mentions

    The game's story is a blend of charm and depth, featuring well-developed characters and engaging side quests that often outshine the main plot, which is relatively short and straightforward. While the narrative can be muddled at times, with fetch quests and predictable twists, it offers a rich post-game experience filled with additional lore and character interactions. Overall, players appreciate the immersive world and character relationships, though some find the storytelling inconsistent and occasionally overwhelming.

    • “The story is well crafted and isn't afraid to explore more mature themes for some of the character's backstories.”
    • “The story keeps you interested, the puzzles are challenging without the 'wtf do I do' factor, and the characters are so cute!”
    • “The characters are memorable, the gameplay is familiar (and fun), and the writing and story are engaging and feels like it would also be successful in a TV/animation episodic format.”
    • “The main story itself is a ton of fetch quests with extremely predictable plot twists and emotional beats that really miss the mark.”
    • “The biggest problem the story and world building/lore has is that it can be hard to follow, leading to moments that should feel more impactful than they do because you're too busy trying to piece things together.”
    • “The story itself is something you've seen before, but the downside is the conflict that practically comes out of nowhere and feels less like a betrayal, but more of a 'well that happened, I guess.'”
  • music67 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its nostalgic chiptune style and emotional impact. The soundtrack is described as a standout feature, enhancing the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience, while some tracks are noted for their memorability and charm. Although a few users mentioned occasional repetitiveness, the majority found the music to be engaging and fitting for the game's aesthetic, making it a key highlight worth exploring further.

    • “Great game to lean back and just sink into; there are a couple of benches you could just vibe out on for a few minutes and listen to the soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack is great and maybe the best aspect of the package.”
    • “The music absolutely slaps, the art is expressive, and the game uses color as part of the narrative, which is something really wonderful for a game that frames itself as a love letter to a handheld system I have fond memories of.”
    • “Music can be a bit repetitive in places, but generally it is good and plays a role in keeping me here.”
    • “If I had to nitpick, I would say that the music is... serviceable.”
    • “I do wish some of the songs were a bit longer, as it's clear to tell when it loops, but overall I really don't have any complaints about it.”
  • gameplay62 mentions

    The gameplay is generally well-received, praised for its simplicity and engaging mechanics reminiscent of classic Game Boy titles, blending puzzle-solving with social elements akin to dating sims. While some players appreciate the focus on exploration and character interactions, others note a lack of depth in combat and item variety, leading to a somewhat repetitive experience. Overall, the game offers a charming and nostalgic adventure, though it may not satisfy those seeking more complex gameplay.

    • “The gameplay is simple and definitely reminiscent of old Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance games.”
    • “The exploration is fun, the gameplay is good, and the endgame dungeons are fun and challenging.”
    • “I really enjoyed it, and I have no hesitation in recommending it to those looking for a charming old-school experience with simple but satisfying mechanics, challenging bosses, and very gorgeous and colorful characters to get to know.”
    • “On the other hand, none of its mechanics really quite shine, making the overall experience somewhat lacking.”
    • “The art and atmosphere of the game is its best part, where I find it lacking is its gameplay.”
    • “There is not enough variety in weapons/items and enemies to carry the combat/exploration, and the dating/marriage mechanics are bare bones.”
  • graphics50 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, heavily inspired by the Game Boy Color and classic Zelda titles, creating a nostalgic experience for players. Reviewers highlight the effective use of simple colors and expressive character portraits, which enhance the overall aesthetic and complement the engaging gameplay. The art direction is noted as a standout feature, with many considering it a benchmark for future "Zelda-like" games.

    • “Art direction is on point with what the developers were going for as the game uses simple colors and pixel art to recreate the old art style that you would find in a 2D Zelda game or even games that would be on a GBA.”
    • “A beautiful tribute to games like Link's Awakening with an amazing art style reminiscent of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.”
    • “The pixel art style they used is very retro and beautiful, similar to the classic RPGs like Zelda from the Game Boy Color.”
    • “The game might take the retro aesthetic a little too far sometimes: there isn't an autosave, dungeon maps, or even an ability to reference characters and the items they want.”
    • “If you compare this to a Game Boy Color Zelda game like the other reviews do... it has the graphics but not the same gameplay.”
    • “Don't let those aesthetic choices fool you, though.”
  • grinding11 mentions

    Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game; while some find the fetch quests and dungeon navigation tedious, others appreciate the simplicity of puzzles and the overall enjoyable gameplay. The lack of efficient healing options adds to the grind for some, making repeated dungeon runs feel cumbersome. However, the game successfully balances these elements with engaging mechanics reminiscent of classic titles, keeping the experience enjoyable for many.

    • “It's like Zelda back in the good old days with Harvest Moon vibes, although there is no farming system in the game.”
    • “I came into this game really wanting to enjoy it, but it slowly started grinding me down.”
    • “Granted, there is a run button and teleporters you can unlock inside the dungeons, but it does get a little tedious having to go through that process every death, especially when, as far as I can tell, there isn't any way to heal yourself short of leaving the dungeon and resting in your bed.”
    • “While this was supposedly done to prevent people exploiting the game, I don't see the point of making things more tedious for honest players just so some dishonest players have to play the game the 'right' way.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through various features such as multiple romance options, difficulty settings, and optional dungeons, alongside a New Game+ mode that introduces new gameplay mechanics. While achievements provide some replay value, they do not significantly alter the main story. Overall, players appreciate the depth and variety that encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “Feels like Link's Awakening with a lot more heart, replay value, and tons of secrets!”
    • “The game is quite beefy when it comes to content, and the New Game+ adds new ways of playing through the game again, giving it more replay value.”
    • “Lots of replay value with the many romance options and difficulty settings, as well as optional dungeons and regular content updates.”
    • “There is some replay value as well in various achievements, but from what I understand, they won't diverge the main story in meaningful ways outside of dialogue.”
    • “With the combination of different wives to marry, and altars and curses to change your game for the harder adds a handful of replayability.”
    • “This creates a level of replayability I haven't seen in this kind of game before.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its engaging story, well-developed characters, and vibrant visuals that evoke a nostalgic 90's vibe. The changing seasons and evocative music enhance the small-town setting, creating a strong sense of uncertainty and immersion. Overall, the art and atmosphere stand out as the game's strongest elements, despite some criticisms of the gameplay.

    • “The overall atmosphere of the game with all the different characters, the changing seasons, and the music is incredible.”
    • “Your main character’s background and the circumstances bringing him back to his hometown start the game off strong and create a good atmosphere of uncertainty.”
    • “I found it very eye-catching, with a vibrant color palette to help us experience even more that atmosphere of a 90's video game.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players find the main story predictable and filled with fetch quests, others appreciate its heartwarming moments and deeper narrative than expected. The use of retro aesthetics enhances the emotional experience, delivering touching interactions and a wholesome adventure that resonates with players. Overall, the game offers a blend of humor and emotional depth, appealing to those who enjoy nostalgic storytelling.

    • “Using only text boxes, in-engine cutscenes, and a Game Boy Color palette, it managed to deliver some really funny, heartwarming, and touching moments between the various characters.”
    • “As the game goes on, the story unfolds with some interesting twists and turns, featuring some cool and a bit emotional moments, which kept me quite entertained until the end.”
    • “I feel like it's much deeper and more elaborate than I initially thought it would be, with quite a bit more content than it seems at first glance, a nice and somewhat emotional story, and a fantastic setting.”
  • stability5 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with most players reporting minimal bugs or glitches. However, a few users have noted the presence of occasional glitches that can affect gameplay.

    • “Fun Zelda clone that is just a little buggy.”
    • “The game overall is decently solid when it comes to glitches, but I did notice a couple of them during my playthrough.”
    • “I really enjoyed it, yet I am unable to find many websites discussing its details, easter eggs, secrets, and glitches.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a playful self-awareness, poking fun at lengthy endgame quests while delivering emotional and comedic moments through its characters. The use of text boxes and retro visuals enhances the charm, resulting in a blend of heartwarming and humorous interactions that resonate well with fans of 8-bit games. Overall, the humor is both quirky and engaging, making it a standout feature for players who appreciate a lighthearted narrative.

    • “But it was sort of in good humor from how I saw it, like the devs were actually making fun of drawn-out endgame chain quests in the first couple of hours of a game.”
    • “If you like 8-bit games, romance, adventure, puzzles, and humor, this is your game.”
    • “Using only text boxes, in-engine cutscenes, and a Game Boy Color palette, it managed to deliver some really funny, heartwarming, and touching moments between the various characters.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted for its compelling and genuine portrayal of NPCs, despite a more linear progression that limits relationship-building options. Reviewers suggest that integrating characters more deeply into the main story could enhance the overall experience, while also praising the game's effective narrative structure and design.

    • “I think if they were treated as part of the main story, the whole game would have felt a lot bigger and allowed for greater character development.”
    • “While there aren't tons of options for carefully building up relationships with NPCs, you instead get fairly compelling and genuine character development for all of them on a more linear path.”
    • “While looking like a simple Game Boy game, Prodigal displays a very competent understanding of level design, narrative structure, and character development.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way.”
    • “The characters seem one-dimensional, and their growth throughout the game is minimal at best.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its solid performance, with players reporting no significant bugs or glitches during gameplay.

    • “Performance was solid, and I didn't run into any bugs or glitches.”
    • “The game runs smoothly even on lower-end hardware, showcasing excellent optimization.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the settings for a seamless experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Prodigal

Play time

9hMedian play time
16hAverage play time
7-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News