14 DAY TRIAL // We’ve been assaulted by quite a lot of artsy, retro-themed videogames in the last few years but, while most independent developers chose to bring them to the PC, due to the platform’s open nature, Capybara tackled the iOS mobile system with its Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP title.
The gamble paid off and the game became a best seller, powered not only by its intriguing story, but also by its top-notch soundtrack.
Now, Capybara has released Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP on the PC platform, via Steam.
We’ve decided to try the game out and see if it translated well from the iOS to the PC platform, and if actual gameplay can support the impressive soundtrack.
Right from the get-go, you’re impressed with the game’s visual style, adopting the same pixelated graphics seen in other titles, like the more recent Fez, although its colors are a bit more washed out, instead of the stark and vibrant ones seen in Polytron’s puzzle platformer.
After the visuals, you need to start learning the actual controls, as while Superbrothers was designed with touch input in mind, it now relies on the mouse to make the character move and to interact with objects and other people.
This is a bit awkward at first, as you can either double click where you want the character to go, or click and hold while moving the mouse. After a while, though, you kind of get used to guiding the heroine through the impressive environments and double clicking on objects to get a few clever quips about them.
Combat is even more peculiar, as you enter a sort of battle mode where you can use either your sword or your shield by clicking on their icons. This basically resumes to waiting for the opponent to strike, parrying his blow, and then striking while he’s retreating.
While it may not be the most impressive combat system in the world, it serves its purpose, at least in the beginning.
In terms of sound, however, Superbrothers shines, as the songs that accompany your adventure range from clever, retro-themed tunes to more modern ones, which blend perfectly with the action on the screen.
Check out the first mission in Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP for PC in the video above.