Thankfully,Sunset Hillssupplies both in abundance.
Allow me to set the scene: this visually enchanting game tells the story of Nico as he travels to visit ex-army comrades. Along the way, Nico will meet an assortment of characters and ultimately help them in one way or another.
Advert
Advert
We traverse Nico’s journey alongside him, immersed in a universe of hand-drawn design. Without a shadow of a doubt, the visuals ofSunset Hillsare its crowning glory. Not that I wish to do a disservice to the story told, my words are only intended to emphasise how stunning this game is.
Watch theSunset Hillstrailer below
There’s such depth to the streets we get lost down. What could have otherwise been a flat but beautiful experience, comes to life through the sound effects of Nico’s shoesclickingagainst the cobblestones, or the way the engine of the fruit truckspluttersas it adjusts speed. There’s so much ambient sound that makes you feel native to this world as opposed to an external participant, albeit an active one.
Advert
Advert
Oh, and are you active! As you guide Nico on his travels, you quickly find yourself fetching, carrying, and sweet talking your way through this tale, forever destined to be an errand boy. Fortunately, the vibrance of the characters and their unique personalities keep the grind from becoming wearisome. That said, you need to be prepared for a lot of back and forth if you’re to join Nico, as this is easily the main gameplay mechanic.
Still, while you must go above and beyond to uncover Nico’s true reasons for revisiting old friends, it feels like a journey worth taking. I’ve only played the demo, so I can’t say what else is in store for Nico, however, I find myself still thinking about his story long after the demo ended. The canine writer, dressed in his suit and tie, intrigues me because I’ve yet to figure out what his end goal is, besides longing to reconnect with his past.
My only issue with the game is its localisation, as some of the translations need editing. There’s nothing here that hinders enjoyment, there’s simply a need for a translator to come in and refine certain turns of phrase, etc. Having briefly spoken with the developers about said language barrier, I learnt that this is an area of the game which is already being looked at and improved upon.
When exactly Nico’s full journey will launch remains unknown. AlthoughSunset Hills’Steampage says “Q3 2024”, without a fixed date, we’re somewhat in the dark about when we can continue adventuring at Nico’s side. While I don’t like the idea of waiting for this game for too long, considering how much I already adore what I’ve played thus far, I’m willing to practice the art of patience if it means getting the very best out of this experience.Sunset Hillsis worth waiting for, of that I’m certain.
Topics:Preview,Features,Steam
