Ainevoltas 2

On the whole the game has the basic infrastructure of a great platformer RPG. You guide your way through an elaborate maze of passageways in a castle, you hack and slash monsters and level up, in turn devoting skill points to certain stats such as health, strength and your’ healing and jumping abilities… But that’s it. The game just feels bland and doesn’t feel like any thought, besides the basic system and maps, was put into it. The (lack of) storyline is so overdone, and sure some games pull it off well, but this isn’t one of those games. The game script is mind-numbingly boring and it just seems like the developers tried too hard to be funny, or that’s exactly what they aimed for and wanted you to cringe at every subtle attempt at humor…

The default controls work great, but you also have the option at start up to set your own controls for each character action. Unlike a lot of games, the controls were precise and responsive which was one of the few pleasantries’ you will be granted while playing. Although the game does have responsive controls, that isn’t to say it isn’t without its hiccups. A fairly major problem with the game would have to be hit registering; you could be standing on top of the enemy, taking countless amounts of damage while savagely swinging your sword through it hitting nothing but air…

The game’s AI was fairly standard, you walk on the enemy’s platform, and they run and slash, although battling the pesky frogs and rats end up being more enjoyable (and all round more frustrating) than some of the games larger and even boss opponents.

The music in the game was great, very reflective of each level, a good example being that of “The Chapel”. A very Castlevania-esque map, the eerie organ and ambient noises tie in perfectly with the sprite sets, as does the music for the remainder of the levels. The sound effects are great too, albeit the chime of a level up or what looks like a snowflake boomerang (a secondary, projectile weapon for a character acquired later in the game) or the crisp snap of a whip, it all sounds wonderful and sharp.

The game is solely single player, which brings about the question of replayability and I’d have to say it’s arguable. When you wholeheartedly complete the game, searched every nook and cranny for each gem and special stat bonus, you are granted the chance to play the game again but this time with a different character. Now, you’re thinking, “Oh, awesome, a whole new world for character 2”, no. The world stays exactly the same, the guild quests remain exactly the same and the location of every monster, every stat bonus, every gem and every NPC remain exactly the same…

Ainevoltas 2 looks and sounds wonderful, although lacking in parts (predictable, boring AI and slightly bugged combat). Is it worth the download? If you’re into platformer RPG’s, it’s definitely a must try, but if you can’t handle the forced, dry humor or repetitive combat, don’t feel the need to continue, you’re not missing out on much.

Ainevoltas 2 is a Metroidvania with simple but effective RPG elements “tossed in” (the developer’s own words!) As in most games like this you must grow stronger or collect power ups to advance further into the game. Unlike most games like this Ainevoltas 2 does not contain secret rooms, breakable or false walls, or a decent-sized variety of weapons or treasures to speak of. What it does have it makes the most of and that’s what’s really important anyhow.

You start off as Justin, called to an evil castle to investigate a mysterious skull. That’s about all of the story actually. Controls are also simple: Attack with your sword and jump. Each enemy you defeat except bats will drop little exp blobs that when collected will give Justin more experience towards his next level. Leveling up is accomplished rather quickly and often an enemy will drop some type of “super blob” that grants far more than your average exp gain.

Upon leveling up you’ll receive 2 stat points to spend on any of 4 skills: Strength (melee damage), Health (max HP total), Recover (HP regen when you squat), and Jump (jump higher). All of these seem to have no limit except Jump which has a cap of 12 (and should be maxed first IMO.) One thing you should know is sometimes you’ll get hit by an enemy and it’ll cause your recovery move not to work for awhile. This is especially bad since you’ll end up using said recovery skill for about 50% of the time you’re playing.

The graphics are well done for what they are but you will occasionally have a weird glitch where the enemies will swap sprites or people will appear in lieu of candles (!) Just exit the game and reboot it and that’ll clear things up. Not really game-breaking but it had to be said.

While in the castle you’ll run into numerous NPCs. Almost all of them say the strangest things but reward Justin with some more stat points. Some nefarious NPCs will even attack you which was cool and really changed things up a bit. Later on if you join the guild you can marry one of the many women scattered around the place. If you do this, wait about 30 seconds and poof you’ll get a baby! Have junior follow you around like a merc and he’ll swing some giant axe around and help old dad take out the trash.

Like I said before there aren’t many different treasures to be found. For the most part you’ll find books that grant +1 stat point or (very rarely) +2 stat points. There are also magic gems that give Justin bonus powers or exp gains. In the castle are 2 of them which you can equip in one of 2 slots. This doesn’t seem so strategic but completing later guild missions gets you the other 2 gems and now you have some choosing to do. The 2nd to last guild reward gives you a 3rd gem slot which I found to be the best treasure of the entire game.

When you beat the game you’ll most likely be surprised that it’s over so quickly. There isn’t any kind of warning that you’re about to fight the final boss and after beating him your save file is erased. Sounds crappy right? Not necessarily so. Keep winning the game and you’ll have the chance to play through the game again as different characters: Richter from Castlevania fame and Justin’s brother with the one leg outside the castle’s gate. If you play as Ricther you’ll have a secret extra move by pressing up + attack. You’ll use the holy cross / boomerang subweapon from the Castlevania games at the cost of some exp points.

In the end, the game’s positives far outweigh the negatives. It’s a bit hard to play through the thing 2 or 3 times in a row just to see the different characters. I wish there was more variety in the treasures you can collect but the good news is that Alspal (the creator) is working on Ainevoltas 3 which should kick this one’s ass from the sounds of it.