Anodyne

I absolutely love this game. However, I would say it falls in the same category as things like "The Stanley Parable", that are really asking for a new term. "Game" just doesn't cut it - it's really an interactive experience. While it looks and handles like what we know a game to be, the challenge and gameplay are really not what this game is about. It's equal parts a meta-analysis on games, an intriguing take on how narratives can be presented and a psychological profile and discussion. Not for everyone, especially if you're wanting an experience similar to "A Link to the Past", but definitely a fascinating experience for anyone who is interested in what can be done with interactive media.

I'm having lots of fun with this game. The default keyboard bindings may be quite cumbersome but you can change it no problem. As for myself, I decided to hook it up to a gamepad with the help of USB Overdrive (OS X). I liked the music and the artwork is also good. I know the general consensus is that you should know a lot about Zelda. I, however, am not very much acquainted with that series so I can't compare this game with it.

I must say that I really enjoyed the Zelda-like part (except for those platformer wannabe occasional rooms) and the music. The story is not so compelling in my opinion, but maybe I'm just not in the mood of this game. The graphics are not bad, but sometimes, they still felt too basic for 2013 (even for a 16 bits era nostalgic like me). Last, the keyboard control can be cumbersome sometimes... All in all, this game might be just the one you're looking for, if you can get into it.

Pros: Atmospheric music, cute and colorful 16-bit world, clever clever/silly jokes you'll find through the game, some extras after defeating the final boss. Cons: Collecting cards can be boring. The story is quite perplexing and need some creative interpretations. I won't put the story on the cons not until I can figure out what was the story about. Overall it's a good game.