2024-03-13 00:45:00
A reinterpretation of the original game.
It is rare that we return to a certain universe after so many years. This is usually preceded by a remake to refresh your memory. The first Ufouria: The Saga is a melody from such a past that most current players are not allowed to remember it. It was released on the NES in 1991 before landing on the Wii’s Virtual Console in 2010 (and the Wii U in 2014). Today, thanks to the merger of the original creators of Sunsoft with the French Red Art Games, we can return to the adventures of a duck in a hat named Hebe. The latter must reunite the old crew and oppose the space invader Utsujin, who rules over the Sticky Bumyons. If the short overview of the plot seemed childish to you, the sequel will dispel your doubts. Ufouria: The Saga 2 is a platform game aimed primarily at a younger audience. It’s colorful, has very different areas scattered across its map, and combat is trivial in structure. We begin the adventure by playing Hebe, who has no particularities. He’s a funny guy, but other than basic techniques, he’s nothing special. His friends not only increase our army in the fight against the alien invasion, but above all provide us with skills that open up new levels for us. One swims, the other jumps far, the third knows how to dive. During the game we change characters at any time. There will be no obstacles in the way of such a team and we will be able to freely roam the following boards in search of the antagonist.
This is not a platform game where you progress through the next levels in a linear fashion. We have freedom here, limited only by the absence of a companion and its peculiarity – don’t worry, Hebe will not remain an ordinary duck in a hat until the end of the adventure. We’ll call it controlled freedom, not necessarily a full-fledged metroidvania. Each board is filled with coins, which we use to purchase new equipment, and collectibles in the form of cans that will hinder our progress. Each new companion who joins us is capricious and has its own requirements. These are only unlocked upon purchase when you have the appropriate amount. This is not a frustratingly hidden collectible. They are explicit, in very obvious places, and their purpose is to encourage us to explore further. Because the whole system is based on exploration. Our main pleasure will be traveling through previously inaccessible areas and discovering new nooks and crannies after purchasing the appropriate equipment. The best addition is the randomness of the world. Each subsequent approach to a given card is different from the others, which will certainly appeal to younger players. The differences may be cosmetic, but since you often travel through a world to get to the right one, it’s a very good idea.
A simple game to access.
You jump and fight, so no one here tried to cause complications. The fight takes place with the help of the mentioned Bumyons, which not only the opponent has at his disposal. We need to throw it at the enemy, which will temporarily freeze him, and then we will jump on his head like the most popular plumber game – simple! However, we would like a greater revolution in the ranks of the enemy, because if the boss is not a friend infected by aliens, we will have the same monster. Sometimes it will be more static, sometimes it will learn to jump/fly, but there is no point in talking about innovation. And if we nitpick, we regret a little the skills of our companions. The cat can swim, but one of the others dives. One falls too close to the other and it quickly turns out that half the characters are only useful for about a dozen minutes during their segment, and then they’re just a colorful addition. A guy who jumps long when he’s clearly not needed can be difficult to deal with, and his slow fall is irritating and makes the game more difficult than it should be. If it can be made more challenging, because Ufouria: The Saga 2 is a simple game, it takes about 2 hours and we can stay longer just to collect more, buy everything and expand the main hub, which is the hero’s apartment . Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that, because the target audience of this game tends to get bored quickly, so there’s no point in trying their patience.
The game, apart from the few imperfections mentioned, responds to its hypotheses. The world can be enchanting and seems straight out of a children’s morning fairy tale. It’s coyly associated with the great Yoshi’s Crafted World (not in that league, obviously). The courses are short, but because of this, the backtracking required is not at all overwhelming. You look through it with a constant smile. Sometimes even the creators will try to surprise you. It’s a fun game for all children, but also for older ones who fondly remember the retro simplicity of the NES era. The gameplay is simple, with a world straight out of a children’s morning fairy tale. Note that a physical edition is expected for July 2024.
VERDICT
Ufouria: The Saga 2 is the sequel to a platform game that some will remember fondly. This is safe family entertainment for all age groups.
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#Ufouria #Saga #PlayStation