2023-09-23 18:45:00
XLan Blogger published on September 23, 2023 at 8:45 p.m.
Last modification on September 23, 2023 at 10:16 p.m.
Consollection > Video Games Blog > Tests > MythForce test: a tribute to 80s cartoons, minus the fun
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MythForce PC Game Review
MythForce displays its sources of inspiration ostensibly, evoking a deep nostalgic love for the vestiges of a bygone television era. Iconic figures such as the Masters of the Universe, or the intrepid GI Joe, once reigned supreme on our Saturday morning screens. However, today, as their core audience has matured into the creators themselves, the genre is returning to its former glory. He-Man and She-Ra are now on Netflix, TMNT: Mutant Mayhem is shining at the top of the box office, and Transformers has never really left our lives. And now, the MythForce video game is added to this array. Discover the test the Mythforce developed by Beamdog and published by Aspyr, available since September 12, 2023 on Steam and other platforms.
The entire MythForce universe represents a true homage to 80s cartoons
Read also Discover the test of >observer_ and its cyberpunk universe by XLan
History
After the launch of MythForce, a stunning cartoon cinematic transports players into a colorful universe, full of life, excitement. The terrible Deadalus wants to take control of the earth and you must stop him!
As soon as the cutscene ends, you find yourself in the central HUB, with little to no guidance. There’s little world setup or adequate tutorials, nothing to light the way or make things easier for players other than a few textual explanations accessible only by clicking on modest question icons.
Don’t look for a scenario, you will advance through the 9 chapters of the game for the final confrontation without any more knowledge of the universe than following the intro cinematic.
Game System
Starting from this central hub, players can choose one of four available characters and invite friends to join them on a cooperative adventure, with up to four participants. Players can opt for unlocked levels or a quick game. Exactly how it works is not explained, but players find that it puts them into an ongoing level with other random online players.
Mythforce – Maggie the mage Mythforce – Rico the thief
The progression of the main story, if you can call it that, unfolds across nine levels divided into three chapters, each of which comprises three procedurally generated levels. The third level of each chapter consists of a confrontation with an evil cartoon boss. The protagonists acquire accessories and upgrades, valid only for the duration of the level, as well as gold and other resources intended for long-term progression.
Mythforce
From the first moments of the first level of a chapter, another animated sequence comes to life. They are rhythmic, unbridled, and simply perfect. These short vignettes, accompanied by the game’s soundtrack, are authentic homages to the exuberant cartoons of the 80s that inspired MythForce. These elements really give the game the desired tone. Unfortunately, this initial shine fades quickly. MythForce fails to evoke or reflect the aesthetic of a nostalgic cartoon anywhere else. Of course, the characters are made in cel-shaded, giving them an animated appearance, but the environment around them sports a totally dissonant artistic style, creating an impression of discordance. The settings often seem empty, flat, and devoid of imagination.
Mythforce
Each of the levels consists of around fifteen floors, mainly populated by combat, sometimes interspersed with shops or safe zones full of chests. Shops offer upgrades and accessories in exchange for gold. Combat, with the exception of boss confrontations, remains uniform. Three waves of enemies must be overcome to allow progress. It’s more of a misery cover than a real boss design.
Mythforce
The main problem is the glaring lack of diversity. The intermediate and final levels certainly present different events – very slightly – but the action between these moments reveals an abysmal monotony. In fact, this repetition is the main pitfall of the game. With only a small range of floor layouts, players will see them tirelessly repeating the same fights with the same monsters in the same settings. A trap door with a gargoyle spewing elemental damage, a skeleton, a mushroom, a pot… This is not the time loop from the film One Day Without End (because the day can evolve), but rather the incarnation of constant monotony.
Mythforce
The action takes place entirely in subjective view. Ranged combat proves more satisfying than close-range combat, where distances and areas of impact seem somewhat haphazard. Players may be perplexed by dodges that seemingly should protect them from a sword or magic attack, yet they take damage. Ranged combat feels smoother, especially with a mouse and keyboard. Using a bow or casting spells provides a certain pleasure, with headshots always remaining rewarding. Additionally, two characters can equip spellbooks, with each of the three options – ice, lightning or fire – providing additional effects for variety.
Mythforce
But whatever character you choose, the game is excessively soft. Whether it’s movements, attacks – from the HQ or from a distance – there is no feeling of impact, therefore no satisfaction in sending the hordes of enemies who will descend on you back to cartoonish limbo. In addition, the level design, generated randomly, is never inspired, very flat and without challenge. And finally, the powers of the four heroes don’t really have any inertia with each other… What a shame for a cooperative game! And yet with material like 80s cartoons, there is no shortage of examples.
Mythforce
MythForce offers an interesting range of perks and enchantments, depending on the characters and weapons chosen. On the other hand, when it comes to accessories, the offer is limited, with only a few options that come up regularly. At lower levels, many of these attachments grant minimal benefits, truly putting variety in the hands of weapon perks and enchantments.
Players will collect glyphs and gold, both necessary for permanent progression. Glyphs are shared between characters, while gold unfortunately is not. The logic behind this distinction remains unclear, only complicating resource management. Hub vendor upgrades can reach four tiers, requiring an increasing number of glyphs for each higher tier. Unfortunately, the majority of these improvements appear to have little impact. The amount of gold and glyphs required to acquire these upgrades means a considerable investment for minimal benefit, especially when players aim for higher levels. Almost completely ignoring other vendors can be a viable option, allowing you to focus on weapon upgrades and rely on raw power to get through the game.
Mythforce
Mythforce
Overall, the experience offered by MythForce is relatively brief. Players can unlock higher difficulty levels, offering more rewards, but these levels don’t seem to really bring anything new, other than tougher enemies. However, given how repetitive the levels are, increasing the difficulty isn’t enough to make the experience more challenging.
Some of MythForce’s problems might be forgiven if the core gameplay loop remained entertaining, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. Plus, with services like Game Pass offering several solid roguelikes, justifying the $26.99 price tag becomes a daunting task. However, the fundamental idea of honoring the cartoons of the 80s is very attractive, and the principle of FPS coop has proven itself.
Mythforce
Graphics
We must distinguish between the graphics of the game and the cutscenes.
The cutscenes are undeniably the great strength of the game, incredibly well done and above all faithful to the atmosphere of American cartoons from the 80s, without shadow which gives a very characteristic particular atmosphere, but with a really well-found dynamism. A bit like the Master of the Universe Revelation. As we might expect, these cutscenes are unfortunately too few in number.
Mythforce
Then the graphics of the game. If the characters and monsters are rather pretty, with a design in line with the atmosphere of the title, the same cannot be said of the settings, very flat, very watercolor.
In addition, the animation of the enemies is never really credible, they seem to be moving in the semolina.
Mythforce
Soundtrack
This time once more we feel all the good will of the development team who did a remarkable job with the intro music, the famous MYTHFOOOOOOOOORCE which snaps with style, very fun synths, voice-overs present with dialogues during the part between the characters present.
But beyond these few moments of auditory bravery, there is furniture music, sound design of attacks and blows which are just acceptable.
Fortunately the MYTHFOOOOOOOOORCE which is shouted with panache when you launch your super attack just enhances the morose atmosphere of the title.
My opinion regarding MythForce on PC
10/20
Unlike other works in its category, MythForce does not rely on the foundation of an established franchise; he prefers to pay homage to his sources of inspiration. Unfortunately, the final product fails to fully capture the essence of this inspiration, with a few exceptions. Additionally, it feels unfinished in many ways, offering often repetitive environments and opponents, and lacking the depth inherent in a roguelike game.
In the end, and upon reflection, perhaps on the contrary, MythForce has perfectly captured the atmosphere of 80s anime: a heartbreaking theme song with crazy music, and a poorly animated and repetitive cartoon.
MythForce game trailer
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#tribute #80s #cartoons #fun
