The game is presented as a social “test” which puts players in the boots of a Scythian in a foreign, somewhat unfriendly land.
The story takes the main character on a quest through the this land, helping local inhabitants and fighting off evil spirits and monsters.
The artistic design of the game is stunning; 8-bit graphics have never looked so spectacular.
The atmosphere created allows players to feel as though they are playing through a series of paintings. With a clever use of spacial depth, the game does not feel like a sidescroller in the slightest, but a rich, lush environment full of mystery and danger.
Two other standouts in the game are witty dialogue and fantastic music. The text-based dialogue switches seamlessly from immersive to comedically self-aware and gives players a unique experience.
The music, by Jim Guthrie, gives the adventure weight. Perfectly timed interludes in the quests are filled with well textured soundscapes and music that allows players to lose themselves for a moment before proceeding to the next quest.
In all, Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP is an incredibly well named, fun experience. While the game is not terribly long, it is absolutely worth a look. Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP is available on iOS and Steam and is developed and published by Capybara Games.
