FoxTail

Foxtail has some of the prettiest pixel art I've ever seen, the nest screen is stunning. The characters animate smoothly and every screen is so detailed and has so much to look at. There isn't, however, much to do at said screens. So much of this game is just empty space, it feels like padding, like fat. The same can be said for the plot, thus far. There is a subtext to it, mythos and lore, that is presented to the player very well, and is well crafted, but its just alluded to and never used for anything in the story or the development of the characters. The plot doesn't goes anywhere while the player is meandering about gathering items. For about 3/4 of the game, there is nothing at stake, and when something happens, its back to gathering more items, and plowing through empty, yet beautiful, scenery. The items you gather themselves have little meaning, its just going through a shopping list, a long one at that, so the player can get another list. There is very little sense of accomplishment and the characters themselves do very little, what few lines they have are rather pointless and convey little information about themselves or their world. Its almost fitting there is no voice acting since the dialogue has so little consequence to the action. One of the characters is even deaf and doesn't have a dialogue tree. Another character can't talk, and somehow has one... This inconsistency with sound spills to the music, its pleasing, but some loops are so short they get grating. The most meaningful information is conveyed through books, and the few puzzles that use those books shine in the game. If in the future the lore learned by the player is used in the puzzles like that, this game could turn into a gem. Trim down the empty screens, the size of the shopping lists, get the characters to interact some more and this could be gold. As it is, it's silver, shiny, but not that valuable as an experience.

Let's start with what I don't like about the game. - It could have a bit higher resolution and still be considered pixel art. - The first "stage" could be a bit darker. - Same for some soundtrack parts (could be less playful). Now, to what I like. - Made me relive the early 90s not only by the pixel art but because of the story in the game (childhood memories that you can revisit only in your mind as an adult, wishing you could be there again for a while). - Pixel art! Beautifully drawn and animated! - Smart references to the classic point and click games (Inherit the Earth: Quest for the Orb, Loom etc). - Specific jokes, not thrown all around the game needlessly. - Logical puzzles. - No dead-ends. In case of a "mistake" there's an alternative way to fix it. in order to proceed. - I didn't get bored for an instant, even if I got stuck a couple of times. There's no need for a walkthrough, by the way. - The game is separated in "chapters". Each chapter is a different place including 5-6 locations in it. It helps with the progress of the game and the story telling. - Oh, of course the Story itself!!! Starts with something silly but it's more interesting (can I say magical?) if you read the in-game stories and you pay attention as the game goes on. I say it's a 4.5/5 but since this isn't a possible rating, then 5/5. Anyway, the negatives aren't important or a real problem. I wish it will be completed one day, but I consider myself lucky for playing it regardless!

Other reviews have put it well, but I thought I'd put my 2 cents in too as I really enjoyed my time with this game. For most of what's out now, all my character was tasked with doing was gathering herbs for tea, so she could share a cup and some pie with Grandma. Not exactly a mighty quest to decide the fate of the world, but just a nice task, something I could play to cool off. I would look at the pretty art, listen to the pretty music, and try to figure out some puzzles with their adventure game logic (which I did need a guide at one point, but otherwise I got it on my own.) This is the first adventure game I've ever really gotten into as well. It was just such a peaceful experience and I can't wait for the rest!

A very, very nice adventure game. Even in early access, for almost 2 hours of one of the most relaxing (and nostalgic) experiences I've had in long time - it's pretty decent. ^^ Bought for me by a friend - I don't regret giving it a try and launching it. :3 It' pretty charming... like an actual walk in the forest during summer while just enjoying the surroundings and breathing fresh air. And we're not saving world again, but doing some more realistic tasks. Good.