Elliot Quest is a 2-D platform action RPG adventure with 8-bit styled graphics.  Play as the hero Elliot as you tromp around a world map exploring towns and dungeon mazes in order to defeat four elemental guardians and save the world.  Actually the story is told in confusing flashbacks so I’m not sure if I got that exactly right, but you get the idea.  Elliot Quest is available to download on PS4, Wii U, Xbox One, and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.

The game is like a cross between Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link and Kid Icarus. You walk around a world map in an overhead view, and when you come across a cave, temple, town, or enemy, the game switches to a side scrolling 2-D platform perspective.  You’ll explore dungeon mazes and defeat enemies, gather items and coins, and solve puzzles.  You can also visit towns to get clues and buy items.  As you defeat enemies, you can earn experience points and gain levels, and then use skill points to upgrade your skills.  As you defeat guardians, you’ll gain special powers like turning into a tornado to pull in objects toward you, or the ability to shoot fireballs.  You can also find hidden items to increase your hearts and magic meter.  In these ways, the game is like Zelda 2.  But the way your character controls and looks makes me think of Kid Icarus.  Your main method of attack is firing arrows, and you can double jump once you find an angel wing item.  Heck, Elliot even looks like Pit, the main character from Kid Icarus!

Unfortunately, this game has a few problems, both minor and major.  The game’s graphics may be 8-bit, but the music sounds like something you’d hear on a Super Nintendo.  Would’ve been cool if they could’ve had catchy 8-bit music to match the visuals or 16-bit graphics to match the sound.  Also, goals and objectives are always unclear and it’s a guessing game as to where you’re supposed to go next.  But worst of all, the game’s difficulty spikes way up about the time you reach the dark forest area.  It would’ve been nice if the game had more balance as it takes too long to level up your character.  And it’s a shame because otherwise, the game is really fun, especially in the early parts.

Kid Factor:

Elliot Quest is rated E-10 with an ESRB descriptor of Fantasy Violence.  The 8-bit visuals keep the violence from looking too graphic.  When you defeat an enemy, they just explode into white clouds.  And when you lose all your energy, you just fall over.  Reading skill is helpful for the text, and younger gamers may get frustrated at the high difficulty.

Tags: Game Reviews