Forma.8 review
The metroidvania are probably one of the most interesting challenges for each development study: a well-coded genre, with well-known rules and mechanics that on the one hand risk giving the game a hint of a visa and revised, but on the other they can highlight a particularly inspired game design.
And it is this second case that occurs with Forma.8, a long-awaited work of Mixed Bag Games that combines style and substance in a product that makes minimalism its main feature. On the other hand, the Italian software house had already shown to appreciate the style with Futuridium .
Forma.8 arrives after years of gestation and it was definitely worth it
forma.8 walkthrough
FORM AND SUBSTANCE
Forma 8 tells the story of a small probe, from which the game takes its name, which after arriving on an alien planet and having lost contact with its “colleagues” will have to complete a very dangerous mission by itself: recovering a source of energy mysterious for reasons that we will discover during the adventure.
Unfortunately, our little and round friend does not have any kind of special powers available to make it; indeed, at the beginning it can only flutter around, but as the tradition of metroidvania wants, over time it will equip itself with the necessary tools to overcome any adversity and face even those enemies who seemed unbeatable before.
The problem, or rather the challenge of Forma.8 is that there is no introduction, written text or explanation, everything is entrusted to the player’s wit and observation spirit. Crucial will be especially his ability to guess the visual or sound cues that will suggest the solution of the riddles or how to kill the various bosses.
Fortunately we can count on a map that will show us in every moment in which area we are and where we are the possible links with other sections.
Forma.8 is therefore a game that focuses a lot on the fascinating power of the unknown and our desire to test ourselves to understand what is beyond that portal or how to eliminate that robot that shoots lasers from the eyes and seems unbeatable and does so by leaning on a first level artistic vision.
forma.8 trophy guide
DELIGHT FOR THE EYES
The work of Mixed Bag on the visual and sound level is absolutely excellent and puts Forma.8 among the best Italian indie productions, probably also among the most interesting of this year.
The music emphasizes every moment of the game with the square waves of electronic music with a vaguely retro touch, the perfect soundtrack when you have to explore an unknown planet or face a mechanical spider as big as a building.
At every screen the eye is satisfied by the precision of the vector lines, vaguely inspired by the Material Design of Google and mixed with a pinch of Limbo and Another World, which define narrow corridors and huge caves, moments of minimalism that alternate with vaguely
Aztec or Inca architecture, ancestral memories of ancient cultures disappeared, all of course at 60 frames per second and even 4K on PlayStation 4 Pro. Then there are some moments when the only thing to do is give up the pad to stop for a moment to contemplate a spectacular view, promptly enhanced by the musical commentary.
Particularly successful is the visual code that also distinguishes the various areas of play, clearly identifiable based on the setting, threats and colors.
For example, the lower part of the vast playing area is full of magma, so it will have the predominant color of orange, lava columns and other nice finds that could lead us to a horrible death.
The creatures we will face will always be more or less the same, but the environment will identify the special abilities, a bit ‘as if the ecosystem had influenced its development. Those who live in the fire will explode once dead, others will leave for a few seconds of purple globes not to touch for any reason, some will try to get close to hit us, others will be held at a distance to target bullets.
Instead we will find underwater jellyfish that can not wait to give us an electrifying welcome. others will leave for a few seconds of purple globes not to touch for any reason, some
will try to get close to hit us, others will be held at a distance to target bullets. Instead we will find underwater jellyfish that can not wait to give us an electrifying welcome. others will leave for a few seconds of purple globes not to touch for any reason,
some will try to get close to hit us, others will be held at a distance to target bullets. Instead we will find underwater jellyfish that can not wait to give us an electrifying welcome.
