Myst was my first puzzle adventure game, like millions of other kids during the 90s. Myst’s jaw-dropping graphics, cryptic storyline, and intense loneliness of gameplay squelched my enthusiasm. As I near the half-way point in Epyka thirty years later, I realize that I am playing the Myst I had always envisioned. Epyka, however, isn’t perfect. Although its strengths outweigh one of its major weaknesses, there is one thing I cannot avoid. What is it?
The facts
What’s the game about? :
Platforms: (reviewed on Quest 2)
Release Date: Meta QuestOut now
Developer: Singular Perception
Price: $9.99
The PremiseEpyka is a VR puzzle-adventure game in which players assume the role of Scott Hudson, an archaeologist following in his father’s footsteps on a quest to discover the secret of Earth’s first civilization. Scott is accompanied by Jack, his loyal (and adorable) dog. The journey starts with Scott and Jack stranded in the doldrums at sea on an improvised raft. Sharks start to circle the boat, making things worse. We are rummaging in our useless belongings with no success until we find a mysterious artifact, an ancient civilization’s lost possession that was once owned by Scott’s dad. It glows and, for some reason, harnesses wind to propel our boat towards a tropical isle that appears in the distance. The exploration starts as soon as we reach the island. Before the game ends, you’ll have encountered the spirit of an ancient civilization and learned how the past can ruin the present. You’ll also face a demon from the underworld. Things get real, very quickly.
Epyka screenshot taken by UploadVR on Quest 2
Sights and Sounds
Epyka is a beautiful game. The game is reminiscent of a Pixar movie, as it has a softness and vibrancy to the characters, locations, and sounds. Environments are intelligently and richly designed, so we always want to explore. Lighting effects add to mood, no matter if we are on the beach of the first island, in a cave during the game, or inside the molten cores of volcanoes. The graphics are stunning.
The audio design is equally impressive. The ambient music sets the tone, while some puzzles are solved by audio clues. The voice acting was also excellent and contributed to the overall experience. Epyka developers chose to make the protagonist of their game speak an inner monologue. He never speaks too much, but it makes it feel more alive. Scott may ponder over a solution to a puzzle or say a kind word to his dog or even chat with the spirit that guides this ancient civilization. It helps to make us feel like we are not alone in this adventure, but that we have a companion with us. Jack helps too, and yes, you can pet the dog.
Gameplay
Epyka’s gameplay centers on exploration and puzzle-solving, as you investigate the titular lost civilization’s suddenly materialized ruins. The game’s puzzles test your problem-solving abilities and are often based on manipulating magical objects and our surroundings. Fitting floating orbs in the right order into a magical scepter to unlock a door or piecing irregular geometric shapes together to create a large, uniform cube are some examples. One early puzzle has us finding our way to the middle of a maze. We find the maze model we navigated in the center of this small puzzle. The puzzles are never frustrating or obtuse. They always make sense. The puzzles are logical. Not in the video game way but rather in the common sense manner. I never felt like my immersion had been broken. This is good design.
Epyka screen shot taken by UploadVR in Quest 2
As the game progresses, Scott’s crystal gains magical powers. We can tether certain objects to the crystal and move them around the field by pointing it at them. We can use momentum and movement to throw these objects. You can use boulders to build bridges or open huge stone doors. Or you can throw stones at walls and break them. A magical shield is another ability that can be useful for when you encounter enemies. Your shield can be used offensively to return enemy attacks. Although it is rare and lightweight, combat in Epyka works very well. It works until the very end. It’s not implemented well in the final moments, when you need to use your combat skills. As clumsy controls hinder the action, the sense of urgency is diminished.
Epyka screen shot taken by UploadVR at Quest, 2
What’s the problem?
At this review’s beginning, I made reference to Epyka’s imperfections, which go beyond the clunky battles in the game’s final act. It’s the fact that this climax was so quickly.
Minor spoilers ahead in the next paragraph.
The game ends on something of a cliffhanger. A museum showcases pictures from our journey and the magical objects that we have collected. The museum gallery has a section that’s been roped off and some plinths left empty, indicating there is more Epyka to come. In the end credits, it is stated, “The End…of the Beginning.” But what does that mean exactly? Epyka is an episodic video game. Will there be a sequel? The story will continue?
My three-hour playthrough was not short considering Myst is beaten in five hours. We’ve asked the developers to clarify what’s coming in the future. Whether it’s episodic Epyka releases, DLC or a sequel. We have not heard from the developers as of publication.
Epyka review – final verdict
Epyka makes a great entry-point for puzzle-adventure game players, while also providing a light, enjoyable experience for veteran adventure gamers. Epyka’s engaging narrative, the challenging yet fair puzzles and the company of its few NPCs are exactly what I wanted MYST to be when I was 10 years old. My ten-year old daughter was ecstatic when she put on the headset for the first-time and patted Jack. I believe she is in agreement. We only wish the game was longer.
UploadVR uses a 5-Star rating system for our game reviews – you can read a breakdown of each star rating in our
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