28Oct 20
Welcome to our review of my most anticipated game of the year by an Indie developer! Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm. And I hear you think, but didn’t you guys already did a review on this title? Sure did! But that was the Apple Arcade version by Timmy, and luckily the wonderful guys at Cornfox released the title on the Nintendo Switch as well. If you need a reminder of what Oceanhorn 1 was about, you can check it out here & the interview with Cornfox we did here.
It’s time to embark on a grand adventure! Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm, set a thousand years before the events of the first chapter, takes you on a magical journey across the vast world of Gaia, brimming with mythology and lore. This time you play as a young Knight who faces an impossible challenge, as Warlock Mesmeroth has returned with a formidable Dark Army. Will our hero be able to unite the Owrus, Gillfolk, and men in a fight for the fate of the world? Sounds like Breath of the Wild, doesn’t it; I discussed this in the interview stated above, so before making accusations, just read the interview.
Partner Time!
You will not be taking this journey alone. Trin, the granddaughter of Arcadia’s leader Archimedes, and Gen, a mysterious robot wielding an old samurai weapon, will join forces with you and fight at your side against Mesmeroth’s Dark Army. Contextual commands will allow you to direct these allies into battle or have them help you with the solution of the game’s most clever puzzles! This can range from pressing buttons or hitting switches; luckily, they also help you fight, solve, and explore the wonders of Gaia.
For those who played the se-pre-quel (?), Oceanhorn: Monsters of the Uncharted Sea (which is basically a sequel to this sequel, Borderlands vibes), you’ll be in for a treat. Oceanhorn 2 was the frontrunner for Apple Arcade, and when booting up this title, it will be instantly clear why. It’s one of the best-looking adventure games out there (for Apple Arcade), but it also builds a unique experience on the shoulder of classic video games. Collect powerful items, wield the Caster Gun, solve the ancients’ mysterious puzzles, and discover all that Arcadia and its neighboring kingdoms have to offer! Accept the challenge and become a true hero—all with a Zelda-esque base, topped with Oceanhorn goodness.
Zelda-Horn – Oceanhorn 2!
To explain this a bit more, Oceanhorn 1 was more in the art style of Links Awaking (when talking Zelda), while Oceanhorn 2 is more Zelda Breath of the Wild. The same goes for the game mechanics – with Oceanhorn 2, we got a fully 3D action platforming puzzler on our hands, and it’s solid. Yes, it leans heavily on Zelda’s mechanics, but which game in the said genre does not do this? Genshin was one of those titles that got a lot of heat for being too much Zelda – well, I dare to fight you over the fact that Genshin is more Zelda than Oceanhorn 2.
The story of Oceanhorn 2 fills many plotholes or ‘I wonder what happened,’ and you can tell that Cornfox grew as a company. The characters feel more mature, and I watched them grow (since I got the email updates during the development). While writing this review, I’m done with around 50% of the story and completed many side tasks. According to the developers, there are around 20 hours of gameplay, but I can assure you that there’s a lot more. If you want to track down every bloodstone or dagger, you will have to search every nook and cranny.
Apple Arcade vs. Switch?
One of Timmy’s main problems with the Apple Arcade version of this game was the small screen size. I tested the game both in handheld and docked mode. I had no real preference; besides that, the game’s colors come to life on my tv. The game feels natural and plays very controlled in both modes – I experienced a little bit of frame drop when first entering the White City, but nothing that ruined my gameplay experience.
Conclusion:
So what do you get on the Nintendo Switch? Better performance (but hey, it was launched as a mobile title), a great story which can bear the name of Zelda-esque games, AND a lesson on how to upgrade your IP from great to awesome, since Cornfox and Bros. Really outdid their selves. So stop being a ‘that’s a Zelda-rip-off’-meanie and give Oceanhorn a try – it’s was one of my most anticipated games of the year (next to the Super Mario collection, although that was a port), and they did not fail me. I can’t wait where Cornfox & Bros. is headed next.
