The Eternal Castle Remastered (REVIEW)

I've played some unique games in my time. Some really interesting games that do something truly out of the ordinary. Never have I seen a developer take black, magenta, and teal though to create a visual masterpiece that is done in the lowest pixel count you can create a game with. With "The Eternal Castle Remastered" you not only get a visually impressive game the likes of which I'd compare to Frank Miller's 'Sin City', and the video game 'Another World', but something that makes you think. Something that makes you really think. This game about extraterrestrials, and AI plays on doomsday scenarios that are brewing in the current real world political, and global realms. It takes the player to a future where Earth is a devastated version of it's former self. With extreme weather conditions caused by pollution, biological threats by man, and the lingering remnants of civilization left wrought by war. It's part biological horror, part sci-fi, and part apocalypse in one lump sum.

In the game you will be playing as either Adam, or Eve. Two extraterrestrial protagonists who crash land on Earth while on a mission to recover an AI female that was left behind. You'll find that the adventure before you takes place in a variety of different worldly locations. Each of which have their own base threat, and weather conditions. The base threat being things like low ammo, or the requirement of ranged combat. That or low visibility. At your disposal are some basic mechanics. You can run, jump, climb, punch/kick, and shoot a gun. Your actions are governed by a recoverable stamina meter, and your gun an ammo meter. You do have limited health as well which depletes when damage is taken. Along the way you'll find items that you can equip to aid in things like gun play, and health recovery.

As you make your way from left to right, or right to left in each of the available areas that are accessible via your ship you will run into creative puzzle elements that will complicate your progress. Things that incorporate the color palette, symbols, level design, and environmental interactions. That, and mutant horrors lurking about. The goal in each area seems to be the killing of a boss, and the boss battles themselves are a soulsborne-like undertaking. They require strategy to dispose of, and the proper use of base attacks or gun usage.

Whenever your character dies in the game you will be prompted to choose "Wake Up" or "Teleport to the Ship". Waking up will bring you to the last meditation shrine you made it to. The meditation shrines require that you sit down at them to activate the save point. They also double as a means to refill health should you need it. Supposing you choose to go back to the ship you can choose another destination via the ship's map system, or the same destination you returned from. The map system includes the threats, and weather conditions for each location. After you pick the location you will start at the beginning of the area regardless of what progress you made. The good thing is that not everything is reset. This makes progress back to where you were easier, and also gives you the opportunity to pick up the location's weapon with full ammo. Guns in the game are only stocked with one clip/magazine of ammo, and depending on the location's threat cannot be refilled once used.

The fleshing out of the story within 'The Eternal Castle" is done via cryptic entries found from the intro screen into the actual world you'll be playing through. The environments will tell their own tale while prompted question marks will have you reading through texts related to characters, and your mission. Surprisingly the game does well with it's minimalist approach, and visual presentation. It is more cinematic than you might think, and with the two colors, and black the developer was able to tell a story that will not be lost on the gamer no matter how puzzling the game gets. Along with the ambient soundtrack, and thematic music the game experience comes to life in more ways than a Triple A new-gen game will ever be able to.

The Verdict ...

I am beyond impressed by "The Eternal Castle Remastered". It is one of those sleeper hits you've likely never heard of, and one I'd definitely have missed if I weren't at the right place at the right time. If you fancy something special, something extraordinary, then I believe in my heart of hearts you will not be disappointed by this game. It is gem, a masterpiece in indie storytelling, and visually exceptional for the graphics it beholds. Do not miss out on this game. For me it could very well be my game of 2020 pick!