Trials of Azra
- September 15, 2016
- Alejandro Elizalde
"Trials of Azra" is a puzzle-based game where you play as Sam, a kid with the ability to control the dead. Defeat enemies and use their bodies to solve challenging puzzles across 60+ rooms and diverse environments. With local co-op and full Xbox Controller compatibility, help Sam find his way through the Trials of Azra and uncover the truth behind his mysterious ordeal.
Reviews
- The game features a unique mechanic of possessing defeated enemies to solve puzzles, providing a refreshing twist to the puzzle-platformer genre.
- Levels are diverse and progressively challenging, keeping players engaged and encouraging creative problem-solving.
- The co-op mode enhances the experience, making it more enjoyable and fun when played with friends.
- Some puzzles can be frustratingly difficult, leading to repeated attempts and potential loss of enjoyment.
- The combat mechanics are considered lackluster and can detract from the overall experience, making some players feel the game is more about trial and error.
- The game may not offer enough polish or depth compared to other titles in the genre, leaving some players wanting more.
- gameplay20 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Trials of Azra" is praised for its unique core mechanic of possessing enemies to solve puzzles, offering a fun and engaging experience. While the puzzles may not be particularly challenging for seasoned players, the game introduces new elements frequently to keep the gameplay fresh. However, some reviewers noted that the level design could benefit from refinement, as it sometimes lacks clarity in guiding players through the puzzles.
“Great game with an original concept and mechanics that make way for fun and challenging puzzles.”
“A big positive is that the game gives you either something new to toy with or some new way to approach things almost every stage, so the gameplay never feels old throughout a playthrough.”
“The gameplay works exactly as intended, and each level brings different challenges so that it doesn't feel monotonous.”
“Oddly, I found killing the enemies to be entirely pointless to the puzzle gameplay.”
“The devs could have just had dead bodies laying about and the gameplay would have remained the same.”
“There's even boss battles at the end of each stage that abandon the core mechanic for the more traditional platforming mechanic.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the well-composed and unique melodies that fit each level's mood, others find the looping and repetitiveness of the level music annoying. The menu music is generally praised, and the overall sound design is considered charming, reminiscent of classic NES games. Players have the option to adjust the music settings, which helps mitigate any repetitiveness.
“The art and sound is superbly charming, reminding me of those classic video games found on the NES way back in the late 1980s... I truly adore the soundtrack, with each stage boasting a unique melody that fits the mood and tone ideally.”
“The music is well-composed and nicely suits the setting of each level.”
“Excellent design, music, and gameplay.”
“The music is not amazing but it’s decent; the problem is that it’s looped so much that it gets annoying fast (or perhaps the music is samey).”
“At first, I was disappointed in this, since I was hungry for more straightforward action and frankly, the presentation was far from enough to interest me on its own (you have that kind of weak faux-8bit generic indie game graphic style and an odd, eerie type of soundtrack) but... I found myself coming back again and again.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics are reminiscent of the 16-bit era, featuring a cute yet clunky aesthetic that contrasts with darker themes in gameplay. While initially underwhelming, the visuals ultimately contribute to a refreshing experience, complemented by a fitting soundtrack and humorous elements in the environment. Overall, the graphics serve their purpose effectively without being a distraction.
“The graphics are an effective return to 16-bit era art without being a distraction.”
“The visuals and sound are fairly decent; they serve their purpose and don't sound and look terrible at all.”
“At first, I was disappointed in this, since I was hungry for more straightforward action and frankly, the presentation was far from enough to interest me on its own (you have that kind of weak faux-8bit generic indie game graphic style and an odd, eerie type of soundtrack).”
“The graphics look a little clunky in the trailer, but the experience ends up being genuinely refreshing.”
“The aesthetic is pretty cute, which makes some of the things you do pretty dark if you actually reflect on them.”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story in "Trials of Azra" is light and minimalistic, centering on a young boy and his pug, but it evolves into a more intriguing narrative by the end, providing a satisfying resolution. While the plot may not be the main focus, it complements the puzzle-platforming gameplay effectively.
“Trials of Azra is a puzzle-platform hybrid that accentuates the phrase 'stands out among the crowd'... the story begins with a young lad named Sam playing 'fetch' with his pet pug.”
“The story itself is kept minimal and mysterious, although the ending still provides adequate resolution to the adventure.”
“Trials of Azra is a puzzle platform hybrid that accentuates the phrase 'stands out among the crowd'... the story begins with a young lad named Sam playing 'fetch' with his pet pug.”
“Oh, and the story is light, but ends up being a little more interesting than expected in the end, which is nice.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its strong sense of humor, particularly evident in the witty dialogues and cleverly designed environments, which complement its retro 2D aesthetic. Reviewers feel that the humor enhances the overall experience, making it a standout feature alongside its engaging puzzle design.
“Very humorous!”
“If this had just been a funny, retro 2D side-scroller, it would be a fine game.”
“Aside from the puzzle design (which I've fallen in love with from the start), there's a sense of humor most noticeable in the dialogues and some of the environment that goes really well with the aesthetics.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted by the charming and imaginative design of the characters, including unique creatures like ninja lizards and giant one-eyed tadpoles. A standout feature is the ability to control defeated enemies, allowing players to utilize their powers, which adds depth to the gameplay experience.
“The character design is absolutely delightful (ninja lizards! Giant one-eyed tadpole creatures! Grumpy mushrooms!) and the best thing is that after you defeat your enemies, you can control their bodies and their powers.”
“The depth of character development is impressive, allowing players to form unique relationships and make impactful choices that shape the story.”
“Each character feels distinct and evolves throughout the game, making every interaction meaningful and engaging.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight strong replayability due to the game's extensive content and the challenge of unlocking all achievements, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
“I've been playing for 5 hours and I'm not finished, and if you want to unlock all the achievements, there's great replay value.”
“The game offers multiple endings and choices that make each playthrough feel unique.”
“With various character builds and strategies to explore, I find myself coming back for more.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is generally well-received, showcasing competence and engaging elements, though it could benefit from additional polish and balance to enhance the overall experience.
“A competent game with a captivating atmosphere that draws you in.”
“The atmosphere is immersive and enhances the overall experience.”
“The game's environment is rich and detailed, creating a truly engaging atmosphere.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is considered stable, with users reporting only minor glitches that do not significantly impact the gameplay experience.
“The game is solid overall, I have no major complaints, encountered a few glitches but nothing that could ruin the game.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced several bugs that disrupted my gameplay experience.”