Felt like this subject deserves its own thread, even though there's a Below OT, but I think someone needs to raise awareness because after playing more and more of it, I really feel like Below is a diamond in the rough.
If you've already tried Below, you know that it can be insanely punishing, more than probably any other game you've played in the past decade or so. But I remember when Demon's Souls came out and game journalists didn't quite know what to make of it - It was so different than all the other stuff on the market (Remember, we were in the 'Prince of Persia 2008 days...), it was seen as being brutally difficult, way too punishing, etc. - But then folks on the old GAF started to spread the love and more and more people got converted and tried it out... and we all slowly understood that there's true genius hidden behind its initially rough facade.
I would argue that a similar thought process should be applied to Below. Yes, it has some questionable design decisions that make the game quite frustrating at times, but Below, to me, very much feels like playing Zelda 1 as a child. It doesn't explain itself, it wants you to figure things out by yourself. It draws you into its world that is brilliantly atmospheric and visually often stunning to look at. And it shits on current gameplay conventions and is brave enough to just do its own thing.
I'm not saying that this is a game that'll appeal to everyone, far from it, but Below currently has a below 70 Metacritic Rating and I really think some journalists just can't look beyond the difficulty. To me, so far (I'm only 10 levels in, mind you), this is one of the most interesting games that released in 2018. It's entirely possible that you'll try it out and will also just want to tear your hair out, but if you really give it a chance, it's hard not to notice that there's something incredibly compelling behind its daunting outer shell.
The game is on GamePass, so if you haven't tried it yet and own GamePass, you owe it to yourself to give the game a chance. Nevermind the Metacritic rating, make up your own mind. You might just be surprised by what Capy built here.
If you've already tried Below, you know that it can be insanely punishing, more than probably any other game you've played in the past decade or so. But I remember when Demon's Souls came out and game journalists didn't quite know what to make of it - It was so different than all the other stuff on the market (Remember, we were in the 'Prince of Persia 2008 days...), it was seen as being brutally difficult, way too punishing, etc. - But then folks on the old GAF started to spread the love and more and more people got converted and tried it out... and we all slowly understood that there's true genius hidden behind its initially rough facade.
I would argue that a similar thought process should be applied to Below. Yes, it has some questionable design decisions that make the game quite frustrating at times, but Below, to me, very much feels like playing Zelda 1 as a child. It doesn't explain itself, it wants you to figure things out by yourself. It draws you into its world that is brilliantly atmospheric and visually often stunning to look at. And it shits on current gameplay conventions and is brave enough to just do its own thing.
I'm not saying that this is a game that'll appeal to everyone, far from it, but Below currently has a below 70 Metacritic Rating and I really think some journalists just can't look beyond the difficulty. To me, so far (I'm only 10 levels in, mind you), this is one of the most interesting games that released in 2018. It's entirely possible that you'll try it out and will also just want to tear your hair out, but if you really give it a chance, it's hard not to notice that there's something incredibly compelling behind its daunting outer shell.
The game is on GamePass, so if you haven't tried it yet and own GamePass, you owe it to yourself to give the game a chance. Nevermind the Metacritic rating, make up your own mind. You might just be surprised by what Capy built here.
