Written by Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title: EMMA: Lost in Memories
Developer: SandBloom Studio
Publisher: SandBloom Studio
Genre: Action, Adventure
Developer Sandbloom Studio makes no pretensions about its influences in regard to how EMMA: Lost in Memories looks and feels. Featuring painstakingly hand-drawn artwork reminiscent of Alto's Adventure and gameplay mechanics similar to Celeste in simplicity, it presents a unique take on platforming: the action cannot be stopped. For gamers, the objective is clear: they need to steer the continuously running title character from one end of a given single-screen level to the other, in the process doing jumps and double jumps, scaling walls, climbing, and sliding.
As basic as the premise may be, however, EMMA: Lost in Memories complicates matters by having anything Emma touches disappear as a manifestation of her fading memory. Thusly, the endeavor becomes a set of puzzles that need to be solved, often by trial and error and through acquired knowledge. Backtracking becomes impossible, requiring gamers to restart and try out a new tack. Again and again. And if that isn't a doozy in and of itself, completionists are dangled the option of collecting feathers dropped by the owl she sees and follows.
EMMA: Lost in Memories' approach aptly compares to Super Meat Boy, although, in its case, difficulty spikes can border on the unfair. The levels are short, but can be brutally hard to complete, necessitating both quick reflexes and introspective analyses. And, certainly, its minimalist approach adds to the frustration. It lures gamers in with the promise of a challenge, offers seemingly insurmountable hurdles, and injects no small measure of exasperation to the proceedings. At the same time, it shows the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel just often enough to keep interest from flagging.
THE GOOD
- Compelling hand-drawn visuals and sound mix
- Platforming action with a twist
- Short but challenging levels
THE BAD
- Difficulty spikes border on the unfair
- Minimalist treatment adds to the frustration
RATING: 8/10
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