The Last Hero of Nostalgaia

This lighthearted and relatively easy take on the souls-like games is not only a good introduction for non-initiated players, but also a fun experience for the veterans of the genre.

It’s not everyday you see a refreshing approach on the Souls-like genre, especially one that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The Last Hero of Nostalgaia does just that, putting you into the pixelated boots of a bundle of sticks on a mission to restore the entire world of video games. Developer Over The Moon does a fantastic job wrapping what we all know and love about Dark Souls with a layer of satirical flare and video game history. If you can get past some frustrating design choices and janky keyboard controls, then you’re in for a nostalgic treat.

The Last Hero of Nostalgaia will be a solid experience for any gamer who has a passion for the souls-like genre. The core mechanics as very close to From Software’s finest and there are plenty of challenging boss fights to go around. Fans might also appreciate the newly introduced concepts, even if they don’t revolutionize the genre. But the entire experience stays so close to its inspirations that it leaves limited room for newcomers. The story is not interesting enough or ironic enough to draw players in. The presentation only works fully for fans who accept the premise and like the mechanics. The Last Hero of Nostalgaia is a good game designed for a limited group of players.

All in a great take on the Soulslike staples we've already seen flood the market. This jaunt through a retro dullscape might feel oddly uninspiring if it wasn't for the streamlined gameplay and acerbic wit wielded by Nostalgaia.

Not content with the miserly atmosphere in the usual Soulslikes, The Last Hero of Nostalgaia shows that we can have challenging, entertaining combat and a witty, amusing and fun tale alongside the endless deaths. Minor issues with exploration and gameplay aside, this is a fantastic and whimsical take on a genre that had been crying out for some levity. You died, but you’ll laugh about it this time.

At the end of the day, the story is the one thing - the only thing - that differentiates The Last Hero of Nostalgaia from the rest of the pack. Everything else lacks any innovation. The names of certain elements (memory, beacons, etc.) may have been changed to match the theme of the storyline, and although character creation, progression, and combat are all done very well, they are all extremely by the book Souls-like.

Some witty comedy and decent design definitely make it worth playing but when it comes down to the pure Souls-like gameplay, The Last Hero of Nostalgaia doesn't stand above average. All of the Souls-like stuff is there: weapon variety, stat leveling, losing your currency upon death, resetting enemy positions when resting. But when it comes to the core gameplay, it feels off. Animations feel slow and sluggish.

Refreshing if sadly not as fleshed out as one would wish, The Last Hero of Nostalgaia does still provide enough of a charm and a challenge alike for Souls veterans looking for a new take on the formula.

The Last Hero of Nostalgaia is a competent RPG with a world that helps it stand out from the pack, even if it doesn't stand too far above it.

The Last Hero of Nostalgaia is the Dark-Soulest of all Soulslikes. The idea of using lore as a game mechanic is interesting, but in the end maybe too easily applied on the experience. Overall Nostalgaia is a Dark Souls child with no regrets about it, but with some over-simplification and some battle-related issues.

The Last Hero of Nostalgaia pays homage to soulslike genre while telling a funny story with a lot of good irony. Nonetheless, the overall quality is too low for a demanding genre wit too many good games.