Trials of Azra
- September 15, 2016
- Alejandro Elizalde
- 7h median play time
Get on Steam"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.
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Reviews
- The game features a unique possession mechanic that allows players to control defeated enemies, adding depth to the puzzle-solving experience.
- Puzzles are well-designed and progressively challenging, providing a satisfying sense of accomplishment as players advance through levels.
- The game has a charming aesthetic with cute character designs and a catchy soundtrack, enhancing the overall enjoyment of gameplay.
- The combat and movement mechanics can feel clunky and detract from the puzzle-solving focus, leading to frustration during gameplay.
- Some puzzles may require trial and error, which can be tedious and lead to repeated restarts if players make mistakes.
- The game lacks extensive customization options for controls, which may hinder the experience for players who prefer specific keybindings.
- gameplay30 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Trials of Azra" is praised for its unique possession mechanic, allowing players to control enemies to solve puzzles, which adds depth and variety to the experience. While the puzzles are generally straightforward and may not challenge seasoned players, the game consistently introduces new elements and mechanics that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. Overall, the combination of clever level design and the core mechanic creates an immersive and enjoyable puzzle-platforming experience.
“Great game with an original concept and mechanics that make 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.”
“I find the puzzles to be incredibly well thought out, and the game keeps adding more and more enemies and mechanics as I progress, so it doesn't get repetitive at all.”
“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.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game feature a charming 16-bit pixel art style that, while initially perceived as clunky, ultimately enhances the overall experience with its clean and sharp visuals. Users appreciate the aesthetic's ability to balance cuteness with darker themes, and while the graphics may not be stunning, they effectively support the engaging gameplay. Overall, the visuals are deemed decent and serve their purpose well, contributing positively to the immersive experience.
“The graphics are an effective return to 16-bit era art without being a distraction.”
“The pixel graphics are clean and sharp.”
“Don't let the pixel graphics put you off, this is a highly accomplished puzzler and it's a joy to play.”
“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.”
“The graphics look a little clunky in the trailer, but the experience ends up being genuinely refreshing.”
“I confess to having always been biased against low-res games like this in the past; I've always thought pixel graphics = basic gameplay, but wow, have my eyes been opened!”
- music12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players find it charming and well-composed, fitting the nostalgic vibe of classic NES games, others criticize its repetitiveness and looping nature, which can become annoying over time. Despite these criticisms, many appreciate the unique melodies for each stage and the option to adjust or mute the music in the settings. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's immersive experience, even if it may not be universally praised.
“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.”
“Background music is outstanding.”
“I got tired of the music in the game.”
“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).”
- 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 than initially expected, culminating in a satisfying resolution. The game features a few engaging puzzles that enhance the overall experience.
“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.
“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.”
“If this had just been a funny, retro 2D side-scroller, it would be a fine game.”
“Very humorous!”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Players highlight strong replayability due to the game's achievement system, which encourages multiple playthroughs for no-death runs and collecting missed items. The combination of a manageable playtime of 2-4 hours and high-quality, varied puzzle design ensures that the experience remains engaging and challenging, preventing it from feeling repetitive.
“I've been playing for 5 hours and I'm not finished, and if you wanted to unlock all the achievements, there's great replay value.”
“There is replay value in tackling achievements for no-death runs and missed pickups. It's not just the quantity though; the quality of puzzle design is also top-notch, and the wide variety produces constant challenge, so it never feels stale.”
“It's about 2-4 hours long, but has some replay value through achievements.”
“There is replay value in tackling achievements for no-death runs and missed pickups, etc. It's not just the quantity though; the quality of puzzle design is also top-notch. The wide variety produces constant challenge, so it never feels stale.”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is solid, with only minor glitches reported that do not significantly impact gameplay. Users have noted a few rare issues, such as disappearing enemies, but these can typically be resolved by restarting the level.
“The game is solid overall, I have no major complaints, encountered a few glitches but nothing that could ruin the game.”
“One or two disappearing enemy glitches are easily fixed by restarting the level; they are rare and hardly worth mentioning.”
“Minor glitches occasionally.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is praised for its imaginative design, featuring unique and whimsical creatures like ninja lizards and giant one-eyed tadpoles. Players appreciate the ability to take control of defeated enemies, allowing for a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience that enhances character interaction and strategy.
“The character design is absolutely delightful (ninja lizards! Giant one-eyed tadpole thingies! 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.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally well-received, showcasing competence and engaging elements; however, it could benefit from additional polish and balance to enhance the overall experience.
“A competent game with a captivating atmosphere that draws you in, though it could benefit from some polish and balance.”
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're truly part of the world.”
“Every detail contributes to a rich atmosphere that enhances the overall gaming experience.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its smooth performance and efficient resource management, while others report occasional frame rate drops and stuttering, particularly on lower-end hardware. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be a work in progress, with potential for improvement in future updates.
