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Hubert Spala

CREATURES OF AVA

 

This time I'll get straight to the topic at hand - Inverge Studios, you've earned my loyalty and attention with one game. I know this isn't your first forage into games, not a debut, but this one... This one is special. Nowadays it is not often that I get completely taken over by a game. But here I am, every free minute spent roaming through the beautiful, vibrant world of Ava to save the cute creatures. It's an achievement to be sure, because the game is impeccable in almost every aspect and a delight to play through.


So what's CREATURES OF AVA is all about? The title gives it away rather well. You and your friend are sent by a 'benevolent' corporation to save the dying planet of Ava. A terrible, inexplicable poison runs through the very soil of the globe, called the Withering. It kills the planet, takes over fauna and flora, and turns everything into dried-out foliage that crumbles to dust. You're a daring conservationist on a mission! To collect as many creatures from the four biomes of the planet and send them on their merry way to your company BioArk standing in orbit, ready to receive them. Unfortunately, the people of Ava - birdlike folk called the Naam - are much less receptive to the very idea of leaving their planet. Sure they might be pretty friendly and very much one with nature, but it seems that the ongoing Withering taking over their very homes doesn't bother them... that much.


And so your quest might get a few twists and turns! Perhaps the company you serve has some ulterior motives. The Naam knows their planet better than you - an outsider - and even if they can appreciate your kind heart and hard work, they consider it a bit misplaced. But the time is on your heels and so as you consider these problems, your main quest remains unchanged: Find the creatures and capture them to save them. And gosh, this is such a lovely way to do it! See, you don't run around with traps, nets, and cages. Instead, you use the most powerful tool in gaining the animals' trust - the power of music.

Due to your respect for the local tradition and ecosystem, as well as simple expediency, you learn the flute and local music of the shepherds. Armed with new tunes you'll listen to the sweet calls of each creature and replicate them to gain their trust. But that's just the tip of the iceberg! Once you attune yourself to a creature, you can 'take the reins'. Not exactly taking control, but letting yourself see through the eyes of tamed animals and use their abilities to help you traverse. Bust rocks, charge through fungal growths, and skip over thin branches to reach into every nook and cranny. All that is to lead your growing herd into a friendly teleporter bot that will send them straight to BioArk.


But even that is not enough. Some of the poor animals got touched and infected by the Withering. The colors are drained from them, their mind poisoned with rage. When infected, they will attack you on sight, using teeth and claws, their ramming bulk, or swift wings to cut you down. As the fortune has it, early in your adventure on Ava - and with the help of a trusty friend! - you found the mystical artifact called the Nafitar. A powerful wand that can heal the Withering away, even if its strength is limited and it cannot seemingly save the planet... It sure as heck can save the creatures you encounter.


This is the game in broad strokes, your core loop is about visiting the four biomes and conserving the life within by rescuing them from what looks like inevitable doom! But of course, there's more. The game DNA takes genes from many genres and melds them together into a rather pretty and engaging chimera. We have a dash of Metroidvania, with unlockable skills that grant access to previously unavailable areas. We have a sprinkle of Collectathon, not only by maximizing the number of creatures we save, but also by finding collectibles like data pads and extensions for our backpack, life, and stamina. There's a bit of crafting and a solid bit of an Action RPG in the mix, with skills to unlock and quests to chase. It's a very elegant blend that keeps being entertaining from start to finish.


The game looks stunning. The planet of Ava is a vibrant, colorful place with rich landscapes filled to the brim with life. Each biome is unique in its style, color palette as well as the fauna and flora consisting of its makeup. I cannot oversell how beautiful the game is - the art style is soft, focused on warmth with a dash of creative cuteness that makes hugging each creature (yes, that's a feature!) a delight. The villages of the Naam, especially the central one, are the prime examples of the best in-game villages ever made. It's compact, but brimming with activity. It feels like a real place, with great audio cues and a bit of lovely music giving it that homely aspect. Exploring it, talking to the locals, it's all a pleasure in itself. I reckon I need to praise the sound design too. The musical tunes of each creature are fun minigames. Each animal call is distinct. The biomes sound great and there are so many small touches that help the immersion to a vast degree. From the footsteps sounding different depending on where you thread to the stellar Voice Acting on display.

Voice Acting being so good is one thing, but even the best actors wouldn't be able to sell it well if the writing was bad. But it isn't. It's delightfully witty, often a bit comedic, yet always maintaining the seriousness of the situation at hand. Our protagonist, Vic, might be a bit of a goody-two-shoes through and through, but she is not hesitant to give the locals a bit of playful ribbing when their customs get a little weird for her to grasp. And then, there's my hero - the chief village Hon'lo. This fella has the driest humor on the planet. His serious, no-nonsense demeanor hides a lot of playful mischief and each interaction with him brought a smile to my face. Our stalwart archeologist friend, the Ni'Mar, can get equally funny with his quips. I adore them all, to be honest.


I think, at least for me, this is the main drive that kept me engaged from start to finish. The world feels alive, like few I ever came before in gaming. The narrative has this sweet juxtaposition of being very rudimentary on the surface... Yet as you delve into it, it hides a few kernels of what I could call a bit deeper insight. I got deeply invested not just with the characters and their ongoing troubles, but in saving the planet itself. Seeing it wither as the story progresses felt genuinely impactful.


In short, CREATURES OF AVA was a mighty surprise. I had no expectations when setting my foot in this world, but it swallowed me whole. By now it is for sure one of the best games I've played this year. And gosh, I've played a huge lot of them. It has everything I could ask for! Gorgeous visuals, great, well-paced story, funny and well-written characters... Most of all, a very engaging core gameplay loop that never grew old or tedious. It's a whole-hearted recommendation from me to you - play it and let this wholesome, casual adventure take you on a ride.


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