Trails of the Black Sun
- October 4, 2022
- Rebel Graphix
Get on SteamTrails of the Black Sun is a first-person shooter and platformer hybrid, set in a digital simulation, where you, an Initiate, will have to find hidden artifacts and forbidden meanings. Use your acrobatic skills and defeat your enemies, fulfilling your ultimate Quest.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The parkour mechanics are fun and engaging, reminiscent of games like Mirror's Edge and Assassin's Creed.
- The visuals and graphics are sharp, creating an immersive experience in a simulation-like environment.
- The game has a good amount of replayability with hidden caches and exploration elements.
- The hitboxes for enemies and objects can be inconsistent, leading to frustrating combat experiences.
- The game feels incomplete, with a short playtime and a lack of content in its current early access state.
- Some controls feel clunky and disrupt the fluidity of parkour movements, making gameplay less enjoyable.
- gameplay15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as a blend of parkour and first-person shooter mechanics, drawing comparisons to titles like Assassin's Creed and Mirror's Edge. While the core mechanics, such as wall-running and obstacle navigation, are generally straightforward, some players note that certain elements can disrupt the fluidity of the experience. Overall, the game offers a visually appealing and engaging experience, with a variety of gameplay elements that keep it interesting over its roughly three-hour duration.
“Nice gameplay, graphics, and soundtrack.”
“The gameplay is simple: while running along a path or setting, you jump or climb obstacles utilizing platforming techniques.”
“Until now, I have played the first 4 levels, and there was enough variation in gameplay.”
“This might seem little, but it's a nag that prevents the gameplay from feeling fluid and seamless.”
“Let's put an end to the argument that the gameplay is essentially a parkour-based imitation of another popular series.”
“Gameplay-wise, the templars are bullet sponges and you really need to land head shots to take them down, and even that didn't always work.”
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story is described as intriguing but ultimately generic, featuring elements of ancient gods, lost artifacts, and secret factions reminiscent of titles like Assassin's Creed and Mirror's Edge. While the voice work and cutscenes are solid, the narrative lacks depth and originality, leading to a somewhat uninspired experience despite its potential for mystery and adventure. Overall, players feel the story does not fully capitalize on its interesting premise.
“The story so far is intriguing.”
“The voice work for the story has been pretty solid.”
“The game has some interesting cutscenes between levels where the story and lore is explained.”
“The same can’t be said for the story.”
“There is some storyline with artifacts and stuff, but it's pretty generic and boring.”
“Instead, two training missions and three relics later we decide to 'wing it' and just try to free her anyways.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their sharpness and minimalistic design, which complements the setting effectively, especially at 4K resolution. While some comparisons are made to other titles like Assassin's Creed and Mirror's Edge, the overall visuals are considered appealing and well-integrated with the gameplay experience.
“The visuals are sharp.”
“Graphics are minimalistic, but it's working perfectly together with the setting.”
“The graphics are minimalist, but good, especially if you scale them up to 4K.”
“This game... well... this game is nothing but a ctrl+c of Assassin's Creed's Animus aesthetics and Mirror's Edge motion animation.”
“Graphics are minimalistic... but it's working perfectly together with the setting.”
“~ graphics ~”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the soundtrack and its contribution to the overall atmosphere, others feel it lacks depth, describing it as mere background noise. Overall, the sound effects and music effectively enhance the simulation's style, with some users expressing a desire to see the soundtrack featured on platforms like YouTube.
“Nice gameplay, graphics, and soundtrack.”
“Sound effects and music have been used effectively to build up the style of the simulation.”
“Nice gameplay and graphics; cool soundtrack too, would love to see it on YouTube.”
“The game is filled with just noise; there's no real music to enjoy.”
“The soundtrack feels like it's just filling space rather than enhancing the experience.”
“I was expecting a great musical score, but it turned out to be just random sounds.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is noted for its promising blend of styles, reminiscent of the immersive environments found in Superhot and the Animus phases of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, suggesting a unique and engaging experience.
“After testing the first level, I think the game is promising; it reminds me a bit of the atmosphere between Superhot and the Animus phases of Assassin's Creed Valhalla.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is perceived as needing improvement, particularly in enhancing visibility and refining shooting mechanics to better engage players. Overall, there is a sense that with these adjustments, the game could evoke a stronger emotional response from its audience.
