Unto the End (2020)

Unto the End presents a unique mix of features. It boasts a simple interface, a character that moves at a slow pace, and traps resembling a limboid. It introduces fighting mechanics with enemies telegraphing their moves, akin to the Soulslike genre.

A notable aspect is the ability to upgrade armor by collecting various items, subtly altering the character's appearance. However, the game sometimes veers into vagueness, especially when it comes to making offerings or trades. This lack of clarity led to guesswork, such as when assembling a Wanderer's Totem to confront the "Ancient One."

Although the absence of visible stamina and the lack of penalties for death may raise questions, the presence of campfires offers a sense of familiarity. The roll versus block mechanic adds a twist with high and low blocks. Enemies telegraph high and low attacks, rewarding players who successfully block with a chance to riposte.

In some combat situations, relying on a spare spear or bypassing enemies felt like the best approach. Surprisingly, during the encounter with the last boss, a setting to slow down fights was discovered, affecting character movement as well. Despite this, the boss's fairness and quick defeat lessened the impact of the slowed pace.

One frustration is the game's frequent checkpoints, which do not allow players to revert to the last one. Restarting from the beginning can be annoying, especially in situations like obscured enemies or losing a crucial torch, hindering progress.

(That's not a bug, it's an actual screenshot)

Unto the End is a game that not everyone can enjoy, or not everyone has the patience to enjoy the game. At the beginning you see a writing that says ''This is a different game.'' and it is actually. I don't think it's a souls-like, it doesn't have that checkpoint system, but it has a similar one. Or the fighting mechanics, it is completely unique to me I have not seen a 2D action game that has a similar fighting.

The story is very simple, as a father you got lost trying to hunt a dear, and you try to get back to your home, on the way there are dangerous creatures try to hunt you or protect where they live, but you can fight too. The gameplay is also simple but at the same time very complex, at the beginning you only think you can block, attack and throw a dagger. But as you defeat more enemies using different moves you think ''Oh, the father is getting better.'' But that's not true, you are learning to play the game with different strategies and get better by mastering.

General atmosphere of the game changes as you play the game and progress and this game has interior parts like caves, and outdoor areas like forests. I hate cave areas and dark parts in games, and this doesn't change in the game, but actually this means they succeeded what they want to. In this game don't expect to relax, though the art and though the atmosphere is so beautiful. But on the puzzle part of the game, I found myself hard to navigate. Overall, not a great experience.

This game is hard just for the sake of it. If you like that, you'll probably enjoy it. The combat is deep, deliberate, careful, and precise. it is the selling point.

outside it, the game is beautiful in a minimalist way. the design, sound, music, animation, it's all lovely. it's a semi challenging puzzle platformer. The story is minimal. and I appreciate that. it fits. your character is not a hero. he's not trying to do anything grand. he's trying to get home safe to his family. he's not cut out for fighting. he's to old for this shit. his movements are slow. swinging his sword, dodging, they take it out of him. he can't do them with quick fluid motions. all of this means that when in battle, you have to time everything very well. you have to read your enemy movements. and every move you make has to be the right one.

there is no progress, no gain in killing enemies (except a tiny amount of supplies). the only experience you gain is you the player learning to play better.

you learn very quickly that you aren't going to fight your way home. you're not equipped to do it. you have to be clever. there are ways to navigate through without fighting. ways to bribe, trick or run away. your enemies don't just move very precisely in combat, they are realistic outside of it.. they will watch your actions and respond. they will approach with caution. sometimes they will be hostile no matter what if you appear to be entering their territory and threatening their food, but sometimes you can convince them you are harmless.

it's all very neat and i applaud what this game is doing. that said, it's frustrating. there's mercifully a forgiving respawn. you usually come back near where you died. you are going to die a lot before you learn. at times it feels unrewarding how demanding the game is. but for some, that is a reward. it's short. only a few hours plus all the time you spend failing, but it is full of secrets. you are encouraged to explore different solutions, explore the corners and the floors looking for secrets.

it's alltogether a very good game, if a niche one. I only knock some score off because it's not robust. there's some replay value but this isn't a game you'll be playing for some time. there's fun in perfecting your skills at it, but there's only so much to challenge yourself against.