Alundra

1. Bulldozer

   Jul 10, 2012

   10

   I think 1997 was the best year ever for quality videogames, Alundra (or, as originally named "The adventures of Alundra") makes no exceptionI think 1997 was the best year ever for quality videogames, Alundra (or, as originally named "The adventures of Alundra") makes no exception to this. This games even now in 2012 still shows how a game should be done. There is only one word to describe the game in its complex and this word is "MASTERPIECE". I've put at that time a lot of faith in its follow-up Alundra 2 which instead disappointed me as hell, the first one keeps being unrivaled and aside from the first half hour of game that could seem a little slow the game rocks till the end in a progression of well balanced mix of RPG, exploration and puzzle solving with some rare "finger-knotting" steps, a compelling soundtrack and the ability to keeps alive the wish to play. I live in Europe and if someone shouldn't come out with something that could only stay aside at the same level of the first Alundra I'll be really glad to have the chance of downloading and re-playing it on my PS3 system, unfortunately is not currently available in Europe. It has the same "magic taste" of FF7 for the lucky ones who played it at the right time, if you knows what I mean you definitely can't miss this one. I don't care if it could seem "old", it's "GREAT" first thing first, even now in 2012 we NEED a team that could send 3D-eye-candy garbage to hell and make game like this one cause the main reason for a game to exist is to let users HAVE FUN not to bore them with increasingly "realistic" graphics without soul, yes that's the word this is an old game with a huge SOUL, one of my dreams is to play another adventure like this.
   I'm gonna rating this title as it were newly released cause I've played it at that time and I've to say that for many reasons is still unsurpassed, a new same-style game would be over-welcome, in the meanwhile this is still a 10/10 game.… Expand

   • 7 of 7 users found this helpful
2. Ribaz14

   Sep 24, 2021

   10

   Masterpiece ! the only Zelda clone that is better then Zelda it self. Really hope by a miracle we get a remaster of this

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
4. MarkG.

   Nov 17, 2007

   10

   A lengthy game with great music and battles, despite the aged graphics it still delivers an epic experience. Even though I didn't quite A lengthy game with great music and battles, despite the aged graphics it still delivers an epic experience. Even though I didn't quite understand the story, it was still fun. If you enjoyed the old zelda games, make sure you get a hold of this. A true classic.… Expand

   • 0 of 1 users found this helpful
5. RedLOL

   Oct 4, 2016

   10

   Great and epic battles, terrific and captivating atmosphere, gorgeous retro soundtrack and charismatic characters. This is Alundra.
   It'sGreat and epic battles, terrific and captivating atmosphere, gorgeous retro soundtrack and charismatic characters. This is Alundra.
   It's gameplay is perfect: The "let's explore this world", with deadly dungeons and complex puzzles.
   Once finished, you may never forget such well designed game.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
6. mbestvina

   Jan 14, 2019

   9

   2D Zelda fans, get on this! Alundra is the 32-Bit Zelda Nintendo never made. Swords, bombs, arrows, the fire cane, it's all here! An evolving2D Zelda fans, get on this! Alundra is the 32-Bit Zelda Nintendo never made. Swords, bombs, arrows, the fire cane, it's all here! An evolving story, beautiful aesthetics, a massive overworld, and over twenty dungeons make this a beefy and challenging offering that any Zelda fan should be able to sink their teeth into.
   
   The main way Alundra deviates from the zelda formula is with with platforming. Unlike Zelda, you can jump up to higher planes. This gives the moment-to-moment gameplay a whole different feel that in my opinion, more closely resembles 3D zelda than 2D. Being able to climb around the environment connects you to the world in ways that 2D zelda never has. This is used for puzzles, exploration, and combat. The downside of this is that Alundra is an isometric 2D game so depth perception can require some trial and error. I suspect this will be a sore spot for many people but I loved it and it made the game stand out as more than a Zelda clone.
   
   The other ways Alundra deviates from Zelda are in its story and dream sequences. The story feels like a midpoint between JRPG's and Zelda. A village is under attack from monkeys and demons and it's up to you to save everyone. The story makes some dark turns throughout but that and its excellent dialogue will stick with you for some time. Throughout the game, many villagers experience awful nightmares that threaten their lives. At these moments, you are able to enter the villager's mind and play a dungeon based on their thoughts. These start small but quickly escalate into full-scale dungeons, on top of the many dungeons you'll play in the overworld as well.
   
   While I absolutely loved this game and recommend it to any Zelda fan, it is not perfect. First things first, this game is hard and long. Be prepared for many of these puzzles to kick your butt. The combat isn't too hard but you'll need to constantly stock up on healing items in the early game, as you are booted back to a save point when you die. Alundra is also very very long. I clocked in at over 40 hours and honestly, I think it's too long, with the dream dungeons feeling particularly like padding. I'm just not sure these needed to be full-fledged 1-2 hour dungeons... Anyway, given that there are nearly 25 dungeons, Alundra can be exhausting to play in long bursts, as it throws you into one dungeon after the next. The main problem with this is that the overworld isn't big enough and there aren't enough ability upgrades to support this many dungeons. By the time I was halfway through Alundra, I'd seen 90% of its overworld, lessening the sense of Adventure. Also, Zelda has always been smart to give you a new ability in each dungeon, even if it is formulaic. This gives each dungeon its own identity and keeps the gameplay fresh. Alundra simply doesn't have this, giving you a new ability only every 2 or 3 dungeons and most of those abilities having very limited use. While all the dungeons are good and they do have good aesthetic theming, they all blend together from gameplay standpoint. It's not the end of the world but it can make the game a slog at times. There's a 10-15 hour section in the middle where the only new item you get is the bow and arrow and you use it solve exactly one puzzle!
   
   My other big gripe with Alundra would be that it loves to hold your hand. Much like Twilight Princess, Minish Cap, or Okami, it is very specific about what you do in what order. You'll often need to talk to a person in order to trigger another conversation in order to trigger a dream dungeon in order to go to a real dungeon. It's just a shame it doesn't let you explore its world and conquer its dungeons at your own pace. This greatly diminishes the sense of adventure and can make Alundra feel overbearing. Hell, I got stuck in the prologue because I needed to talk to some guy twice in two different rooms to trigger a cutscene! These frustrating JRPG moments blocked my progress and drove me to a guide far more than the actual puzzles which is a shame. Thankfully, Alundra finally takes the training wheels off in its last third, allowing you to get abilities early and get an optional sword upgrade but all this is too little, too late.
   
   A few other minor problems would be that the combat difficulty is all over the place, and that money quickly loses its purpose with only a few expensive items to buy, and the poor control scheme means you'll constantly be pausing and switching out equipment but these didn't impact my enjoyment much. I realize I've spent much of this review complaining but Alundra is simply fantastic. If you can get past all these problems then you'll find one of the best Zelda-like games out there. If you love LTTP and Minish Cap, then you need to play Alundra.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
7. dorohedorofan90

   Dec 24, 2021

   9

   Alundra es a menudo considerado el "Zelda" de PS1, pero no tiene absolutamente nada que ver. La trama es mucho más compleja y en este juegoAlundra es a menudo considerado el "Zelda" de PS1, pero no tiene absolutamente nada que ver. La trama es mucho más compleja y en este juego tendremos plataformas, puzles más retorcidos y sobre todo una dificultad mucho más exigente.
   
   Situaciones inolvidables, donde exploraremos los sueños de los aldeanos y presenciaremos como uno se transforma en licántropo, y por supuesto el infame puzle de la "Mansión de Hielo" que mucha gente odiará sobre todo en la época en la que Youtube aun no existía.
   
   Una franquicia olvidada... y uno de los mejores Action RPG,s que haya jugado.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. Tcho

   Mar 8, 2006

   6

   I recommend this only to those who love solving puzzles. Iffy storyline leaves you not caring when characters die or progressions in the plot I recommend this only to those who love solving puzzles. Iffy storyline leaves you not caring when characters die or progressions in the plot and the gameplay can really annoy you at times. A zelda clone but with more puzzles, it's enjoyable enough if you're after a rpg fix but there's better rpgs out there.… Expand

   • 2 of 5 users found this helpful

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