FOUNTAINS Review (Steam)

Summary

The game boasts beautiful pixel art graphics and a manageable download size of 262.61MB. It offers full controller support, which is highly recommended for the best experience. The graphics settings are comprehensive, including options for fullscreen, performance mode (fancy/fast), fps limit, brightness, contrast, screen shake intensity slider, low energy vignette, CRT filter, and the ability to disable the HUD. Game settings are equally detailed, with options for vibration, player messages, roll direction, speed run timer, and disabling tutorials. There’s also a secret code entry menu and four save slots available.

The game world is a 3D environment with a side-on character view, featuring Souls-like adventure RPG gameplay. Tutorial pop-ups guide you as you play, and the loading times are impressively fast. The in-game cutscenes and interactions maintain the same level of beauty as the rest of the game. Player signs populate your world, allowing you to vote on good or bad options, although this feature is optional. The game includes a save and quit option, and the hack-and-slash combat emphasizes learning enemy patterns. Rolling can dodge attacks and navigate obstacles like fire and spikes. You can drop signs anywhere from the start without needing to unlock them.

Fountains serve as save and respawn points, where you can buy water with coins. Coins drop from chests, are found in the world, and can drop from enemies. Interactive elements sparkle to catch your attention, and you can see enemy life bars. The movement and animations are reminiscent of Hyper Light Drifter. You can attack NPCs, and water is used to heal yourself, with enemies sometimes dropping water. The game features secret areas and shortcuts, excellent music, and many breakable objects. Button prompts appear when needed, adding to the atmospheric experience. Sign writing involves using templates, and a stamina system is in play for rolling, running, and fighting. Coin purses contain a set amount of coins, which you receive when you use the purse.

Your loadout includes slots for a sword, head, body, legs, and two tools. The map uncovers as you explore, allowing you to select and place markers. Anything you place on your head is shown on your character in the game. The world feels social, with many signs and a sense of collaboration. Life fragments can be found to increase your health bar, and dungeons are self-contained and spread out. The game encourages exploration without a set path, featuring puzzle elements and satisfying combat that is neither easy nor straightforward. Smoke charms can be found and consumed to clear smoke walls or doors. Items of clothing and weapons affect your stats, and optional side quests offer rewards. You can assign healing items to a quick-select menu, and signs show a plus or minus number to denote if they are good or bad. The game includes big boss encounters.

However, there are some drawbacks. There are no Steam achievements, and you cannot pause the game. There’s no way to remap or tweak the controls, and the tutorial pop-ups are large and take up a lot of space. Signs can be hard to see as they blend in with the world, and there’s no colorblind mode. The sign text stays on the screen too long and is less than ideal due to its size. It’s possible to aggro innocent creatures, which can be problematic as they attack you even during conversations. The story unfolds slowly, and you don’t get much information early on, leading to aimless wandering. There’s no penalty for dying, and you often find yourself looking for one particular item to progress. Using water to heal involves a slow animation, and it’s frustrating that only items and weapons change your stats, with no leveling-up mechanic. The game also involves a lot of backtracking.

In summary, the game offers a visually stunning and atmospheric experience with detailed settings and engaging gameplay. However, it has some limitations, such as the inability to pause, lack of control customization, and a slow-healing mechanic. Despite these issues, the game’s exploration, combat, and social elements make it a compelling adventure.