A little side scroller based on the struggles of war awaits.
Some key points that this game offers:
- A unique look at how war can displace people.
- Several different jobs to choose from for your playthroughs.
- Basic but efficient levelling system.
- A variety of items that can be picked up and obtained and an even bigger crafting tree to make use of on your journey.
- Several different difficulties to test your survival skills.
- Indie Gem 4/5
Gameplay & Controls:
Starting with the controls; the game makes use of both the mouse and keyboard. The game plays as a 2D side scroller moving from left to right. Moving your character can either be done automatically by pressing the play button on the screen or using the D button to move your character.
You have an option to choose between walking at regular pace or running. The combat is also done via the Left mouse button, as well as the crafting. The controls are pretty simple for the game with no fuss or complication. Don’t get me wrong the controls work perfectly with the gameplay mechanics we have here.
We have a 2D side scroller that moves from left to right.
Conflict broke out and events led to you getting left behind whilst your family were running for their lives. You wake up later to find that you are alone and this is where you take over, with your little wagon you are off searching for your family.
The game has basic elements of exploring; as you move in the only direction you can you will often find buildings you can enter, with permission or by lock picking, which will contain resources and crafting materials you can take or steal. There are numerous NPC’s you will meet on your way; some friendly which will make conversation, offer to trade, and a few other choices for you. Not all NPC’s will be friendly though some will leave the talking for never and instantly try to attack you.
The combat is pretty much very basic. There are a few options you can choose from, such as defensive or agility based attacking, this is determined by how you build your character, whether it is a fighting or agility based character. As for combat itself, you have access to a variety of weapons that can be crafted but they are all melee weapons and the attack functions are tied to the LMB alone, limiting combat and making it repetitive.
The crafting tree is quite massive and as you upgrade your main structures such as your kitchen or wagon, you unlock recipe’s for higher tiered items or food that can be crafted.
The levelling system is unique; every action that is successfully completed such as refilling your water bottle is rewarded not only with completing said action but xp as well for your character.
Graphics:
The graphics for the game are quite beautiful. Each map or level is based on a specific theme and place; they are all uniquely created with tons of detail to give them their own unique look and feel, whether it is the trail and interactable objects or background views you can see. Great attention to detail was invested here.
Each resource that is picked up is visibly unique in appearance, they are all unique with great attention to detail invested into each item; whether it’s one of the many food items you pick up or craft, they all look unique.
Character designs are all decently done with enough attention to give each of them their own unique looks. The same can be said for your own character.
The only and maybe biggest issue I have here is the lack of visual change for example; crafting gear to wear such as a hat or shoes and equipping them does not reflect on your character. He stays the same, the same can be said for when you upgrade your wagon or torch, they do not change in appearance, something I feel is lacking here.
There is so much appeal to visuals here that I don’t understand why they choose to leave this out.
On the settings side of things, we can choose from a number of different resolutions and whether we want to play in Window or Full screen mode.
Sounds:
The game does quite well here with the in game sounds.
The music for the game itself is pretty much the same tune over and over, on full/ normal volume this gets repetitive and boring way too fast. Playing it softer so that it plays as a soft sound in the background makes it more soothing and enhances the gameplay.
As for the in game sounds, There are a variety of sounds that accompany in game actions. These enhances and adds life to the game.
On the settings panel we have full volume control.
Replayability:
The game offers Replayability to a whole new level; Not only is it fun to play, but every playthrough is different with new and unique random events occurring, no new game will ever be the same as the previous one. As you play the game you unlock more characters to play with.
Personally, I’d suggest that the game requires some more polish and even a few QOL to truly enhance and improve over gameplay quality but given what the game costs we really have a great game here.
MGR Gaming’s Conclusions:
Spoilers Ahead:
Home behind is a game created to show case how war can displace people and how it can devastate a country! How the scarcity in resources can turn people into wild animals that will kill just so they can live, whether it is for themselves or their families; as you play you have those same choices.
Whether to simply move on, or rob people of what they have, not only can you rob and kill innocent civilians, you can also break into their shelters and steal what little they have. It doesn’t look it but the game delivers quite a powerful message.
Each level that you play comes to an end when you reach the last of four checkpoints and before moving on to the next area a boss fight will occur. Here you have to make use of the best gear you were able to craft; the honest way or by murdering and stealing from people. Once defeated you move on to the next area where enemies get a little tougher and you continue your search.
The game plays very well; for a basic game it is beautifully crafted, it looks great, it tells a decent story, and this is where an issue lies that truly brings the overall joy of the game down.
The translation from Korean to English suffers here and there making the conversations at times hard to understand, and at other times the conversations come across as cheesy and even pointless, which reflects badly on the game itself, and especially the message it is trying to deliver. Besides that, sometimes the conversations are plain, too long or feels dragged out, this is part of the polish I mentioned that the game needs, if they can manage to better this, this little gem would be so much better.
You start out with next to nothing and as your journey continues you slowly build up resources and supplies to help you on your journey. As that journey continues and you make progress you gain xp which levels your character. Levelling makes you that much stronger; that plus the variety of gear options you have to choose from truly make this a fun and unique little 2D RPG game.
Additional Info:
Platforms: PC: Mac: Android: Apple: Linux
Genre: 2D: RPG: Survival: Indie
Censor Rating: N/A
Age Rating: N/A
Developer: TPP Studio
Publisher: Coconut Island Games
Release Date: 3 June 2016
MGR Gaming Steam Curator:
https://store.steampowered.com/curator/32364038/
