From the beginning, one has the impression that Creatures of Ava is a straightforward story of an adventure regarding the taming of wild creatures. Yet, the deeper into it a reader goes, the more the game tries to relate to such deep philosophical subjects as how one should react to extinction or if it’s right to interfere. With such a fantastically rendered landscape and an intriguing premise, Creatures of Ava falters in its attempt to reach its potential. The pacing issues and somewhat flat gameplay mechanics take away from this title, which stands high among others.
Travel across the planet Ava
.Your adventure takes place on the planet Ava, where you take on the role of Vic, a passionate researcher whose task is to save the planet’s wildlife from an infection that brings death—the withering. The infection transforms formerly harmless creatures into hazardous beasts that do everything to destroy the whole ecosystem. For instance, imagine this intergalactic Noah’s Ark where you are participating in a rescue mission to save the different species living inside Ava.
Indeed, something interesting about the game’s story is how it’s related to Vic, and her cause stays very thin for the player. The original motivation that keeps Vic saving these creatures seems vague, and it’s hard to understand what she’s doing. Though the game eventually unveils the personal motivations behind her dedication to the conservation effort, it’s so slow that only some will have become invested in the story during those critical early hours by then.
Pacifist Approach: Refreshing but Flawed Concept
Among the most striking elements in Creatures of Aa is its allegiance to the concept of a pacifist approach. Vic is not found to indulge in any killing from the very start. Instead of conventional combat, she heals all creatures afflicted with withering infections through her mystical staff and tames them with a flute. It’s nice on paper, but this non-violence needs to be revised in execution. It’s all about running around, circling, and avoiding attacks, which could feel repetitive and lack the excitement some might search for within the game.
Taming creatures with a flute could have been excellent, but it’s easy and could be more exciting. You follow the visual cues to play the right notes, and while using music to connect with creatures is sweet in concept, there isn’t much depth here. The creatures you tame will follow you and can use their skills to help bypass obstacles, but such moments feel like chores rather than exhilarating gameplay.
Exploratory and Environmental Puzzles
One of the more enjoyable aspects of Creatures of Ava is exploration. The entire planet is divided into four ecosystems, each with unique environmental characteristics. The environments are beautiful, be it a beautiful prairie grassland or a grim, dark marshland, and make Ava’s world something wonderful to explore. Similarly impressive are the designs of the creatures in these different ecosystems, really bringing the world of Ava alive.
This game is Metroidvania in structure, whereby you must wander in an area and find your way through diverse lands to progress. You will find pathways blocked in front of you and realise that you need to use Vic’s staff to purify the environment around them. You may cast a spell to lift a rock or clear a witherbloom. These puzzles are satisfying but essential and not too challenging.
The Downsides: Pacing and Repetitive Quests
Unfortunately, the pacing in Creatures of Ava is one of the major issues. Most of the quests in this game are fetch quests, asking one to keep travelling back and forth to collect items or talk to characters. This gets boring after some time. There should have been more varied tasks and a more dynamic narrative in the game.
The most significant missed opportunity comes in the minimal nature with which tamed creatures contribute to gameplay. Once you’ve tamed a beast and used its ability to help you clear a path forward, there’s little reason to interact further with the thing. This lack of meaningful implementation of the creatures into the game’s activities is disappointing because the game touts taming and preserving wildlife.
Summary
Creatures of Ava is an ambitious title, full of grand ideas, but it needs to catch up in the execution department. An adventure about the taming of creatures, pacifism, and rich tapestries of philosophical themes are exciting on paper. Still, gameplay and pacing issues keep it from reaching its full potential.
If you enjoy intelligent story-led games with a little something different in their gameplay, then there’s redemption in Creatures of Aria that makes it worth your time.
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