Greak: Memories of Azur

Greak: Memories of Azur is a refreshing single-player co-op game with challenging adventure and some bumps.

Short, but unique and satisfying despite some frustrating elements, Greak: Memories of Azur is a winning action puzzle-platformer with some of the best 2D visuals you can find.

While AAA blockbusters are churning out big budget blow-outs with top-of-the-line 3D fidelity, indies are embracing other styles. From harkening back to PlayStation-era graphics, to pixel art and gorgeous hand-drawn environments, such as those found in Greak: Memories of Azure. It’s that distinct pop of colour from the latter that sets it apart and in some cases, above the big boy releases. Now, I’m a huge fanatic for side-scrollers as it calls back to my youth. I’m in my thirties after...

Greak: Memories of Azur is a really charming example of how a game can communicate its themes via its mechanics. Telling the tale of three siblings trying to stay together amidst the destruction of their home, this puzzle-platformer is a thoroughly engaging experience, from its gorgeous hand-drawn art style and bombastic orchestral soundtrack to its puzzles and challenges emphasising the bonds between the protagonists. While some gameplay decisions don’t quite work to the game’s benefit, ...

It's hard to resist the latest Metroidvania and here's one that lets you play as 3 unique siblings within a beautiful puzzle-filled world.

For every good bit there is something bad, and the end result left me feeling like the package was less than the sum of its parts.

Greak: Memories of Azur is a well-executed adventure that reaches for the stars but never quite leaves orbit.

With a fairly short running time, at least Greak: Memories of Azur doesn’t require much commitment to see it through. I just can’t help but feel that if your companions were computer-controlled and actually assisted you in combat, or at least tried to keep out of the way of your enemies rather than simply standing motionless, my review would be much more glowing. As it is, for every few minutes of joy I had with Greak: Memories of Azur, I generally had another filled with some level of frustration. Ultimately that lead to a great deal of disappointment, which is a real shame.

Greak: Memories of Azur isn't a bad game, but it is one that's got a few too many annoyances. Between aggravating enemies, the limited inventory, and the almost absent AI of Greak's siblings, it's an experience that is too weighed down by frustration to get a strong recommendation. However, if you like the look of the world and some cheap enemies and awkward controls aren't a dealbreaker for you, Greak is one of the best looking 2D platformers I've ever played and the world is interesting enough to keep you going.

Greak: Memories of Azur could have been something special. Unfortunately, a large number of questionable design decisions pull down every positive aspect in a way the game simply cannot overcome. The core design of how you control your two to three characters is simply not enjoyable, but the quality is there in every other aspect and I hope that either through further patches for this game, or in their next title that Navegante Entertainment gets the gameplay part of things right.

It looks lovely and plays well enough, But Greak: Memories of Azur is hamstrung by awkward puzzles, maddening boss battles, and annoying backtracking that'll have you rolling your eyes out of their sockets.