Unsighted
- September 30, 2021
- Studio Pixel Punk
- 33h median play time
Unsighted Review – The Ultimate 'Beat The Clock' Challenge
"Unsighted" is a sci-fi hack and slash game that offers both single-player and local co-op gameplay. As Automaton Alma, you'll explore the vast world of Arcadia, saving friends before they turn into UNSIGHTED due to the depleting Anima resource. Master the game's rich combat across multiple playthroughs, with varied weapons and timed combat actions, all accompanied by marvelous graphics, spectacular music, and a highly emotional story.
Reviews
- The game features a unique time mechanic that adds urgency and meaningful choices regarding NPCs' lives.
- Combat is fluid and satisfying, with a strong emphasis on parrying and a variety of weapons and upgrades.
- The pixel art and soundtrack are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
- The story and character development are somewhat lacking, making it hard to form emotional connections with NPCs.
- Some players may find the timer mechanic stressful, potentially detracting from the exploration experience.
- The game can feel repetitive at times, especially in combat, as it often revolves around parrying and countering.
- gameplay943 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Unsighted" is characterized by a unique time mechanic that creates a sense of urgency, compelling players to make strategic decisions about which NPCs to save while navigating a richly designed world. Combat is fluid and satisfying, featuring a parry system that rewards skillful play, though some players find the reliance on this mechanic can make encounters feel repetitive. Overall, the game offers a blend of exploration, puzzles, and action that appeals to fans of the metroidvania genre, with the option to disable the time pressure for a more relaxed experience.
“There is a really unique timer mechanic that adds to the tension and atmosphere where characters may eventually die off if you don't give them a specific item, but this can be turned off for first/casual playthroughs for those who want to take their time to explore the maps at their own pace.”
“The core gameplay of this game is frankly incredible so there are lots of things to try.”
“The mechanic of spending your time wisely and choosing who's lifetime to extend adds so much tension to everything you do in the game, to the point that every time you make a mistake or have a setback, it becomes a strong form of motivation to push forward that most games can't capture.”
“The wall-jump mechanic is implemented abysmally, and even worse it will be required in some sections.”
“The amount of needless mechanical complexity put onto the player seems to suggest that this is supposed to be closer to CrossCode in length, and even that game has the decency to layer on that complexity slower than this.”
“The big letdown is that the timer mechanic doesn't culminate in anything interesting, and doesn't play into the story.”
- story722 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of "Unsighted" has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its engaging themes and emotional depth, particularly regarding the relationships between characters and the implications of a time-sensitive mechanic. However, many critics found the narrative to be generic, lacking in character development, and riddled with clichés, often overshadowed by gameplay elements. Overall, while the story has its moments and can be compelling, it tends to take a backseat to the gameplay experience, leaving some players wanting more depth and coherence.
“The story is very serious and poignant, it demands you imagine a world after yourself.”
“The story is great, full of well-realized characters with lots of heartfelt, believable dialogue.”
“Everything from the combat, to the exploration, to the story works so perfectly together to create a vibrant and somber world.”
“The story is so basic I have to wonder why they even spent time making flashbacks.”
“I felt that the story was lacking and pretty generic - you only got a few sentences of information at the last boss for his backstory and that was it.”
“The story is probably the weakest part, just because it's kinda generic and the characters aren't fleshed out enough to be truly endearing, but the game part of the game is enjoyable.”
- music303 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising its dynamic and atmospheric qualities that enhance gameplay, particularly during combat and exploration. Some tracks are described as fantastic and memorable, while others feel repetitive or lack impact. Overall, the soundtrack is often highlighted as a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's emotional depth and immersive experience.
“The soundtrack while simple and fitting for the game, it changes along with the environment of the dungeons and when the player goes in and out of combat seamlessly.”
“The game’s soundtrack is amazing.”
“The music is incredible!”
“The music is unbearable, the characters are flat, the visuals are bland, and this game does not surpass its inspirations.”
“The sound effects and music are grating and sound lifted from Minish Cap (which was on the Game Boy Advance).”
“Your mileage will vary, but all the music was forgettable for me.”
- graphics197 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their beautiful pixel art style and smooth animations, creating a charming and atmospheric experience. While some players appreciate the nostalgic 16-bit aesthetic, others find the visuals occasionally cluttered or lacking depth, which can hinder gameplay clarity. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, enhancing the game's exploration and combat mechanics.
“The visuals of the game are smooth, beautiful, and more often than not dim colors which fit the setting like a glove, along with helpful animation clues to tell what actions the enemies are doing in the middle of the combat screen, which can get cluttered with projectiles, slams, and slashes.”
“The graphics are simply amazing, the combat is extremely smooth, the characters are some of the best and most memorable I've ever seen, and the exploration & puzzles are always fair and satisfying.”
“With the amazing pixel-art visuals, sensational soundtrack, and extremely satisfying combat and gameplay, the affection and love placed in every corner of this game is perceptible.”
“This game has some vibes of other games that I like (namely Hyper Light Drifter and old SNES ARPGs), but it has janky movement and too bright and colorful visuals that make it very hard to see the relevant details on screen.”
“The music is unbearable, the characters are flat, the visuals are bland, and this game does not surpass its inspirations.”
“Otherwise, the gameplay is close to perfect, the graphics are nice (sometimes the lack of depth and the limited color palette make some stuff a bit hard to distinguish), the story is very interesting.”
- replayability77 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by its engaging gameplay mechanics, multiple paths, and various challenges, including speed-running and alternate difficulty modes. Players appreciate the balance of a short playtime with the opportunity for repeated playthroughs, exploring different strategies and achievements. Overall, the design encourages experimentation and offers a wealth of content, making it a highly replayable experience.
“Brilliant map design, great gameplay, huge replayability; this game has it all.”
“The game's design really lends itself to replayability; I had a great experience with my first playthrough and I could see a lot of quality time could be spent experimenting with different builds and routes to see everything Unsighted has to offer.”
“I don't want a developer forcing multiple playthroughs and artificial replay value.”
“Even in a blind playthrough, it's not a terribly long game, but there are some extra modes and challenges you can do if you want to extend the replay value.”
“The game is built around replayability with multiple paths/solutions to each problem/goal.”
- emotional73 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of Unsighted is highlighted by its immersive storytelling, well-crafted characters, and impactful music, which together evoke a range of feelings from joy to heartbreak. Players appreciate the game's ability to create personal stakes through its time-sensitive mechanics and character interactions, although some find certain characters lack depth. Overall, the game successfully combines engaging gameplay with a touching narrative that resonates deeply with players.
“Unsighted genuinely brought with it an emotional kick every time I got the alert that an NPC I liked had gone unsighted.”
“The story was touching and brought a tear to my eye.”
“Great story, characters feel so authentic, the flashback scenes and interactions with all the characters you meet take you on an emotional ride that's quite rare in gaming.”
- atmosphere43 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive pixel art, engaging world-building, and a unique timer mechanic that heightens tension and emotional stakes. Players appreciate the blend of exploration, combat, and a haunting soundtrack that collectively create a rich, atmospheric experience reminiscent of titles like "Majora's Mask." While some minor criticisms exist regarding repetitive combat and occasional music clashes, the overall ambiance and emotional weight of the narrative leave a lasting impression on players.
“The boss fights, key items, dungeon design, and time-sensitive plot recall the atmosphere of 'Majora's Mask' re-imagined as a 2D sci-fi epic-- you want to take it all in but you also want to save everyone, and there isn't time for both.”
“This is a beautiful pixel art game that immerses you into the atmosphere effortlessly.”
“Without the timer, this game's atmosphere, and a few of the mechanics, make no sense.”
“Losing characters from running out of time has a very big impact on the atmosphere of the game.”
“Not to mention the pressure put on by the real-time clock on every NPC's life, which really helps build an atmosphere unlike any other game out there!”
- grinding31 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, primarily due to frequent inventory swapping and the need to manage various weapons and upgrades for different situations. The design choices, such as the chips screen and level navigation, contribute to a frustrating experience, especially for those pursuing completionist goals. While some fast travel options alleviate backtracking, the overall sentiment is that the grinding elements detract from the enjoyment of exploration and puzzle-solving.
“There's backtracking, especially when you obtain a new traversal skill, but plenty of fast travel points around, so it's not really tedious.”
“The chips screen was the worst offender, especially since I wanted to vary my build for certain situations (exploring, farming for money, boss fights, etc).”
“When you have a specific combination of weapons you like (for me it was a sword and a shotgun), having to switch them out constantly is tedious and frustrating.”
“The visual design could've been more user-friendly and easier to navigate, as going the completionist route was kinda tedious and pretty annoying by the end.”
- character development31 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 26 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally viewed as lacking depth, with most reviewers noting that beyond the main character, Alma, there is minimal exploration of themes or growth. While the character designs are often praised for their variety and animation quality, many feel that the writing does not effectively support the potential for richer character arcs. Overall, the game is seen as having a charming aesthetic but falling short in delivering meaningful character development.
“I love the style, the combat and gameplay, but the character development is a nice surprise.”
“I like the character designs, and the story's drawing me in thus far.”
“[an accessible, fun metroidvania, fantastic game world, addictive gameplay feel, inclusive character design and writing].”
“Beyond the main character Alma, there's not much character development or exploration of the themes this world sets up (what makes a person? how do you choose who to save when you can't save everyone?).”
“-no character development (story basis).”
“This could be so much more in terms of character development.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted through witty observations and clever commentary, such as the absence of male characters and the playful comparison of genre expectations. Reviewers appreciate the blend of humor with gameplay, suggesting that the comedic elements enhance the overall experience.
“So take the initial funny review and now the 'no seriously this is genius' review and go play it!”
“Funny observation: why are there no males in the game?”
“A most excellent metroidvania/soulslike (as far as I can tell, these are practically the same genre but with different combat difficulty expectations, which is kind of funny when keeping Metroid Dread in mind).”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is characterized by its allowance for sequence breaking, where players can access previously unexplorable areas through creative use of movement options and abilities. This design choice, whether intentional or resulting from community-discovered glitches, enhances the gameplay experience by encouraging exploration and experimentation. Overall, the game maintains a stable environment that supports these mechanics effectively.
- optimization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized for speedrunning, offering numerous opportunities for optimization and sequence breaks, and players report no bugs or performance issues.
“Did not experience any bugs nor performance issues.”
“It also seems made for speedrunning, with so many opportunities for optimization and sequence breaks.”
Critic Reviews
Unsighted
Unsighted Review – The Ultimate 'Beat The Clock' Challenge
90%Unsighted review
Unsighted is hard enough to be a challenge, but just fair enough to hook you in for one more go. Well worth checking out.
80%Unsighted Review — Better, faster, stronger
Unsighted is this year’s best Metroidvania/Zelda-like game by a long shot. It’s creative, gripping, and accessible with a ton of stuff to do and see. There are a few small issues, like some awkward writing or too much menuing, but those are well worth it for such a fun, polished experience.
95%