Greak: Memories of Azur

Greak: Memories of Azur is a solid platformer by Navegante Entertainment, delivering a well realised world with interesting characters, gorgeous hand-crafted visuals, and intriguing environments that beg to be explored. The combat can be a bit hit and miss at times, and the distinct lack of co-op play - despite the ability to switch characters at will - feels like a missed opportunity. As a story-driven adventure title, though, this one is absolutely worth a punt.

I fell in love with Greak: Memories of Azur from minute one and would be overjoyed to see a sequel sometime in the future. Navegante Entertainment have created a world rich with lore and overflowing with melancholy storytelling that I quite simply wish there was more of it to explore. The powerful orchestral score adds considerable weight to both the action and the narrative, folding in another layer of depth to the experience. The puzzle-solving may not be the most taxing, but the levels are well designed and showcased with the most beautiful hand drawn visuals. Short, sweet, but almost perfectly formed, Greak: Memories of Azur should be on the radar of every Metroidvania fan out there.

Let me start this review by saying how much I love hand-drawn animations. I play and enjoy a wide range of games, but visually, there is always something about the hand-drawn titles that catch my eye.

Greak: Memories of Azur is not a very successful game in general, at least in terms of gameplay, but if you like its artistic features, you can ignore its flaws and enjoy the game.

Unfortunately, I was blinded by the beauty of the game. Which, for me, turned out as facade. The fun was missing for me.

Greak: Memories of Azur is a sad yet touchingly beautiful story of three siblings struggling against adversity against the backdrop of a once-beautiful land ravaged by a cruel war, rendered in stunning hand-drawn art. The touching displays of sibling love, protection, self-sacrifice, and care will tug at your heartstrings. Although there are a few minor flaws, the amazing atmosphere, pleasant music, and adorable art style more than make up for them as you become completely absorbed in the game until you finish it in one sitting in about ten hours.

‎Magical worlds, beautiful creatures, medieval universes, struggles for survival... The fantasy genre has left us great stories, those that transport us to unthinkable scenarios in our reality and adventures that we could never star. But that's what video games are for, isn't it? Precisely, Greak: Memories of Azur fulfills an essential function, not only because it serves as an escape valve to existential reality, but also because it is one of those driving forces that allows to rectify ‎‎unsatisfactory reality and realize unfinished desires,‎‎in this case, through a proposal based on the cooperation of its protagonists.‎

Sumptuously animated, Greak Memories of Azur draws you in with its high-end artwork. However, the game is an exercise in frustration and bad design choices. A central mechanic of three characters controlled by one player with no co-op option, hinders platforming and renders combat nigh on impossible. I’m out here trying to forget Azur.

Overall, Greak: Memories of Azur looks and sounds great, but it doesn’t play great. Minor issues compile and compound as the game goes on, resulting in a lackluster finish. Hopefully, the developers can learn from the issues and mistakes of Greak for their next game, whether it’s within the same universe or another one.

Greak: Memories of Azur presents us a metroidvania, but with a personal touch trying to differentiate it from the rest, with the idea of playing with 3 characters at the same time, idea already used in other games such as Castlevania (Dawn of Sorrow as an example of a metroidvania or Castlevania III in an arcade), but on this occasion, present at all times instead to be exchanged at the push of a button. Puzzles, action and lots of exploring will amaze you in this amazing adventure!