Two Brothers
- December 3, 2013
- Ackk Studios
"Two Brothers" is an action-adventure game with a Gameboy-inspired aesthetic that follows the story of Roy Guarder, a scientist and philosopher who travels to "The Cursed Lands" in search of the origins of life. After a fateful discovery, Roy finds himself able to cross between the worlds of the living and the dead, leading him to question his beliefs and confront the strange phenomena of the afterlife. The game features a vast, non-linear world to explore.
Reviews
- The game features a charming retro aesthetic and nostalgic references to classic 8-bit games, reminiscent of titles like The Legend of Zelda.
- The story is engaging and thought-provoking, exploring themes of life, death, and the afterlife, which adds depth to the gameplay experience.
- The music and graphics are well-received, contributing to the overall atmosphere and enjoyment of the game.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, making it frequently unplayable and leading to frustrating experiences for players.
- Combat mechanics are often described as clunky and uninspired, resulting in repetitive gameplay that detracts from the overall enjoyment.
- Technical issues such as poor optimization, resolution problems, and lack of proper controller support hinder the gaming experience significantly.
- story27 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story is generally praised for its simplicity, depth, and engaging themes, often drawing comparisons to classic 90s action-adventure narratives. Players find it thought-provoking and immersive, with a mix of adult themes presented in a child-friendly context, though some note that the game's bugs and lack of direction can detract from the experience. Overall, the narrative is compelling enough to keep players invested, despite occasional wordiness and gameplay issues.
“The story is thought-provoking and touching.”
“A fantastic tribute to 90s action-adventure games with an imaginative story and intriguing game mechanics, this title is nothing less than charming.”
“I was hooked on the story within the first scene, and I guarantee that if you give this game 15 minutes of your time, you won't regret being drawn into this amazing game.”
“It serves its purpose but otherwise felt like a chore between story points.”
“While there is some fun to be had and a decent (if not a little cliché) story to be told here, the game started to drag for me.”
“Really poor optimization around hit detection, combat, dialogue... it's a shame because the story and world are pretty captivating.”
- stability15 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is plagued by numerous stability issues, including game-breaking glitches, random freezes, and significant graphical errors, which can detract from the overall experience. While some players find the gameplay enjoyable despite these bugs, many caution that the instability may render the game unplayable for others. Overall, potential players should be prepared for a buggy experience and consider backing up their saves frequently.
“A buggy mess, plain and simple.”
“The most common concern people have for this game is the game-breaking glitches.”
“Game design-wise, this game is fantastic from the little I've seen, but it's sadly buggy to the point of being unplayable.”
- music11 mentions
- 82 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Overall, the music in the game is highly praised, with many reviewers highlighting its nostalgic quality and emotional impact, particularly during key scenes. However, there are notable criticisms regarding specific tracks, such as a jarring high-pitched screech in the museum that detracted from the experience. Despite this, the soundtrack is generally considered one of the game's standout features, contributing positively to its atmosphere.
“The music of the game is pretty darn good, and the graphics for what they are aren’t bad.”
“Music is really cool and probably one of the best features of this game.”
“The soundtrack is good as well.”
“The music track in the museum is horrendously screwed up and is just a loud high-pitched screech that made me want to throw my headphones against the wall.”
“During a scene in which the two brothers meet in a house, there is the demise of the ceremony song from Shadow of the Colossus playing.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as colorful and reminiscent of classic styles, but they suffer from numerous glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay. While some players appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic, others find the visuals to be mediocre by modern standards, with issues like misplaced layers and blank areas detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics receive mixed reviews, with a general consensus leaning towards a score of around 5/10 due to the technical problems.
“The story is simple but interesting, the combat is challenging but uncomplicated, and the classically inspired graphics are filled with color.”
“Graphics and music are great nostalgic tokens.”
“This game has an absolutely wonderful story, graphics, and music, but is just a tad glitchy at times.”
“The sound hangs, there are tons of graphic glitches, and after beating Eagle Island, the screen goes black.”
“These range from innocuous graphical glitches to game-breaking bugs that will demand you restart.”
“Also give it a pass if you can’t stand Game Boy quality graphics.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a charming homage to 90s action-adventure titles, featuring imaginative mechanics and an engaging story. While it offers a fun experience, some players find it simplistic and occasionally clunky, reminiscent of older games, and are disappointed by bugs that hinder playability. Overall, the gameplay is enjoyable but could benefit from more originality and polish.
“A fantastic tribute to 90s action-adventure games with an imaginative story and intriguing game mechanics, this title is nothing less than charming.”
“The gameplay is fairly simple, but engaging.”
“By itself, the gameplay is fun, but this game truly shines artistically.”
“While it's unfair to compare it to 'Link's Awakening' or 'Final Fantasy Adventure' (which is really 'Seiken Densetsu'), I expected more gameplay elements like classic bomb mechanics for puzzles, exploration, or the ability to switch to your brother for solving riddles. Anything original would have been appreciated.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is criticized for featuring a few annoying jokes that come off as condescending, detracting from the overall experience. Additionally, technical bugs further diminish the game's appeal, leading to a lackluster impression.
- grinding1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the lack of grinding in the game, noting that it allows for a more engaging experience without the repetitive tasks often associated with RPGs. One user highlighted their enjoyment after 18 hours of gameplay, emphasizing that the absence of grinding is a significant positive aspect.
“I have yet to finish the game, but have played about 18 hours, which, to me, is impressive for an RPG with no grinding.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its thought-provoking and touching narrative, which resonates deeply with players.
“The story is thought-provoking and touching.”
“The characters' journeys evoke deep feelings and resonate with personal experiences.”
“I found myself emotionally invested in the narrative, feeling joy and sorrow alongside the characters.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is notably lacking, particularly in hit detection, combat mechanics, and dialogue interactions, which detracts from the overall experience despite the captivating story and world.
“Really poor optimization around hit detection, combat, and dialogue. It's a shame because the story and world are pretty captivating.”