Games That Really Schmeck is a planned series of first impression game review articles that highlight games that really stand out to me and that I thoroughly enjoy. It takes a lot to get me to write an article so trust that these games are worth reading about and playing.
Schmeck:
a verb that means to taste good.
a verb meaning something ”fits” or “works” for someone, similar to “it suits me” or “I like it”.
Game: The Girl From Arkanya
Developer: Arkanya Games
Platform: Steam
Release Date: TBA (Demo Available)
We're starting off strong with a stellar upcoming Action RPG title, The Girl From Arkanya, which currently has a demo available on Steam.
The game is immediately striking for its colourful graphics, charming music and - yes - adorable capybara!! When starting up the game I was immediately reminded of the Minish Cap and that is no small compliment.
After a lengthy and stunning introduction done in the style of old paintings telling of legends past, you wake up in your bed in a small rural village and ... oh my goodness the animation! The very first act the character takes, getting out of bed and prepping for the day, speaks on how detailed and animated this adventure is going to be. And I'm immediately excited by that.
The pause menu, with it's stylized bag interface, draws me back to the best of the Pokémon bag interfaces. I absolutely love those "interface imitates life" inventory screens and this is, with no hyperbole, one of the slickest I've seen. I keep forgetting this is a demo and not even the finished product!
The characters I've met so far are delightful, as are their expressive character portraits. The eye dialect used to express themselves had me (I apologize to literally everyone for this) reading all the dialogue out loud in a room by myself and giving everyone their own little voices.
The orchestral music in the game is beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall experience. The sound effects are incredibly realistic—walking outside and hearing the hammer striking the anvil adds a deeply immersive, atmospheric touch. It's these little details that truly bring the game to life.
The map design also feels like a loving nod to The Minish Cap. There's a sense of nostalgia that makes exploring the world both familiar and exciting, as if the developers really wanted to capture the charm and intricacy of that classic game. It's like revisiting an old friend but with fresh eyes.
The town in the game is vast and teeming with activity, almost to the point of feeling overwhelming. But knowing it's the central hub, you can take your time exploring without any rush. It's brimming with unique characters, each with their own backstories and quirks, which really adds depth and a sense of authenticity to the world. This bustling environment makes the game feel alive and rich with possibilities.
Grabbing my sword, I ventured into the forest. Being a sensory person, I can tell when developers nail the sound design. The sounds of swinging the sword and unleashing special attacks are so satisfying that I can't help but blissfully swing it around, just like you would with a real sword. The music in the forest is also a delight, setting the perfect mood for some treasure hunting.
The game's lighting and atmosphere are nothing short of enchanting. Fairy lights twinkle around ponds in the woods, creating a magical, serene environment. It feels like stepping into a whimsical, fairy-tale setting, adding a soothing and captivating touch to the overall experience.
The default controls are super intuitive, with all the keys conveniently lined up from left-shift to V, and the spacebar handling major actions like interacting and attacking. It works smoothly, making gameplay feel natural and effortless. However, adding gamepad support in future versions would definitely enhance the experience, offering more flexibility and comfort for players.
Game overs are pretty forgiving. You're greeted with the cutest animation of your Capybara pulling you back home. Then, you wake up in your bed, with nothing lost except for a bit of time. It's a charming way to keep the experience positive, even when things don't go your way.
Overall, it's clear this adventure is shaping up to be something special. My first impressions are fantastic, and I can't wait to dive into the full game. Dare I say it—I know a new Zelda game just dropped, but this might be the one I’ve been waiting for. Yet, comparing it to Zelda doesn't quite do it justice; it stands strong on its own merits. I won't spoil too much here since this is just a first impressions article, but you should absolutely go download the demo and experience it yourself.
The Girl from Arkanya is indeed, a Game that Really Schmecks.
As the titular Girl from Arkanya would say when you exit the game - another charming touch - "See ya soon!"
Article by Adam Holmes
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