A Nostalgic Action RPG Done Right
Every so often, an indie game comes along that gets called “the new 2D Zelda.” I think there are far too many examples to even mention, but after playing *Elementallis*, I believe we finally have a game that achieves something very few manage: capturing the soul of those classics without feeling like a simple copy. It does so with a top-down perspective, real-time combat, and an adventure structure that immediately recalls *A Link to the Past*, while still maintaining its own identity and an unexpectedly compelling story.
That story takes us to Elregir, a world divided into eight biomes tied to the elements: fire, water, ice, earth, nature, electricity, wind, and aether. The disappearance of these elementals has thrown everything into chaos, and the protagonist—silent, much like in old Japanese RPGs—travels across this world on a mission of redemption. This approach works very well: the premise is classic, but the way the game builds its NPCs, their problems, and its overall tone makes the story far more engaging than it initially seems. In fact, I genuinely found myself reading the dialogue with interest, something that did not happen at all for me with *Sea of Stars* or *Chained Echoes*.
Where *Elementallis* truly shines is in its use of the elements. Each element is not just a different attack, but also a tool for solving puzzles, opening paths, interacting with the environment, and dealing with enemies in creative ways. Every biome and every temple is designed to make the most of these mechanics, and the loop of progressing, exploring, gaining a new ability, and backtracking feels incredibly smooth. The way elements are selected is reminiscent of the ring menu from *Secret of Mana*.
The music deserves special mention. Raúl Sangonzalo’s soundtrack is one of the best the genre has seen in recent years: nearly three hours of synthesizer-driven melodies, occasionally elevated by an electric guitar solo that blends perfectly with the rest of the composition. It is the kind of soundtrack that both accompanies and elevates the adventure at the same time.
It is also worth pointing out two important details about the GOG version at the time I write this. On one hand, it does not include achievements; on the other, the soundtrack is not available there, but you can buy it on Bandcamp. Even so, for those of us who prefer playing on GOG without any “phone home” features, this is hardly a major issue. Overall, *Elementallis* is a remarkably successful tribute to the classic Zelda games and one of the best 2D top-down RPGs released in quite some time.
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