First, to help clarify saving: game autosaves when you transition between zones, collect items, or take damage.
The game sets the stage early on: it is up to you to save the planet from the instantly forgettable Dr. Funfrock. Not a complex story, but the world engages you with crisp artwork. Charming characters come to life with fluid animation and wonderful voice acting.
The game's highlight is how well it rewards keen observation. Most NPCs have useful information for you, and connecting the dots between clues is extremely satisfying.
However, combat is a mess.
Your primary attack is a bouncing energy ball. With the game's "tank" controls, it is easy to miss your target and you must wait for the ball to stop bouncing before you can fire again. Meanwhile, most enemies spam attacks faster than you can retaliate against. Plus, you get knocked back based on the direction you face, so it is easy to get trapped in a corner and die. This makes the only strategy "stun lock or be stun locked." You can plink at most enemies from just outside their AI range, but this is neither fun nor challenging. Combat is required to progress and might turn people off the game completely.
Platforming is always a pain in isometric games, and the fact that Twinsen takes damage if he sprints into a wall makes some sections more frustrating than they have to be. It is a finnicky mechanic: I have sometimes taken damage when running *away* from a wall.
There are other gaps in the polish, but nothing as grievous as the combat system.
Overall, the creativity in the world and the progression of the journey help elevate this game above average. It is worth a try, despite the dated controls and abysmal combat system.
