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In a landscape where traditional games, good or not, are regularly moved by the usual proposals, the indie titles they are the ones who usually offer experiences that they leave the common areas.
For that notion to remain valid in this transition period comes the new generation of consoles The Pathless, a third-person adventure developed by Giant Squid and published by Annapurna, a name that viewers will find well known, as it is an independent production company that since 2012 has been linked to the co-financing of cinematographic works of the caliber of Her, The boss Y Phantom thread.
In The Pathless An ancient island located on the edge of the world has been invaded by a sinister entity that has spread darkness and seeks to annihilate existence as we know it.
Many have unsuccessfully ventured to the island to stop the entity, but now it’s the turn of the last ones Huntress, an archer who will be assisted by a holy eagle on his way to stop the darkness and who must free the ancient gods who have been corrupted to gradually free every region of the island from the clutches of darkness.
As for the films produced by Annapurna – in which there are elements that the general public can identify, such as prestigious distributions in author proposals that do not follow the logic of the Hollywood blockbuster -, The Pathless is a third person title that takes place in a file huge forest where each section has a boss to defeat.
So far everything is familiar, but since its inception the game has stood out, beyond its visual style, for its mechanics and its commitment reduce to its most basic element the meaning of a gaming experience.
Talking about a third-person adventure that takes place in a huge forest invites us to think about what The Pathless is a game where controls, movements, powers, items and specials abound, but it is surprising that the gameplay here is based on a simplistic control scheme.
Move fluently The Pathless implies the pressure of R2 on shoot arrows the talismans that are scattered all over the world and press L2 for running fast thanks to the bar that is filled by the reason of each destroyed talisman.
The point is proof that the fluidity of the movement is uninterrupted which is why while running you have to pay attention to the talismans that are around to shoot him and keep the bar as full as possible, which makes L2 and R2 the main pairing of this control scheme.
Similarly, X is used to jump and – once the Eagle joined the adventure – gliding through the air and crashing, which is used to reach high places that are difficult to access.
The circle is a general interaction button and Triangle is used to activate the Spiritual vision, an action that becomes fundamental in the adventure, as it helps to see what is hidden from view and to provide a sense of what needs to be done in the world to continue.
As we said, the gaming experience in The Pathless it is reduced to its most elementary element, so much so that here there is no type of map or directions, the only thing we know is that it is necessary to banish the darkness and free the gods from corruption. Hence the need to activate the Spiritual vision, as it highlights in red the areas that require keys to continue the adventure.
This leads us to talk about it puzzle, another of the basic mechanics from The Pathless, as getting these keys usually involves solving a puzzle for which you need to use arrows or lean on the eagle, which can move the blocks that need to be placed on the switches.
One aspect that stands out is that the game not based on killing opponents, in what is clearly an invitation to observe existence from a primordial and natural perspective in which animals They are not only the guardians of the world order, but also the of God creators of life.
About the technical section, The Pathless does not assume a graphical display like that seen in blockbusters by multimillion-dollar developers, and is betting – as is usually seen in the indie arena – on a art design that pays no attention to realism, from a color palette based on accents and from captivating and elegant light and visual effects that surprise when you least expect it.
The version we tested was the PlayStation 5 and it is necessary to specify that it has two graphic modes: Resolution Y performance. The former improves the visual quality but runs at 30 FPS, while the latter runs at 60 FPS but reduces the visual quality.
Of audio and soundtrack design, it should be noted that the former remains sober and risk-free, while the latter is able to touch sensitive fibers despite the fact that the involvement with the protagonist is actually minimal, which proves once again that the music of a video game direct impact on emotions without the need for detailed context.
And on the negatives, the general proposal of The Pathless is interesting and fun and to some extent groundbreaking in its eagerness to get back to basics, but it can seem like it at times reiterative and with a slight lack of dynamism – although ironically it is necessary to shoot arrows at all times to move quickly.
The Pathless it’s a pleasant indie transition times, a set that is exactly what you would expect from a product that bears Annapurna’s signature on its distribution.
It is a title of simple images reminiscent of those of Mulaka, but that when they explode they manage to evoke those of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. And it is a game that, by installing itself in the bases, manages to spread a sense of emotion thanks to its music and the role played by the animals In your world.
8.5 / 10
The Pathless
Year: 2020
Developer: Giant Squid
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Revised Version: PlayStation 5
Also available: PlayStation 4, PC and iOS
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