Zefyr: A Thief's Melody

In my opinion, Zefyr is a good game, quite unique in its genre. It is primarily a platformer and exploration game, though it borrows gameplay elements found in action-adventure titles. I enjoyed the experience, but it's important to keep in mind the fact that it was developed by a single person. It is impressive, I could really feel the developer's dedication to his game. However, some aspects are therefore limited and some others are border on amateurish. The gameplay relies heavily on a magnetic gauntlet that allows you to climb any vertical surface. Its use is automatic, restricted only by a gauge that is emptied while climbing and recharged instantly once you are back on a horizontal surface. This mechanic is used throughout the game across sometimes massive levels, featuring far more verticality than most platformers. That sense of vertigo was the aspect I enjoyed most. As the adventure progresses, you can unlock other items, such as a bow, bombs, a grappling hook, .... adding a slight puzzle aspect to the platforming. The levels are spread across various islands. This brings me to the second thing I loved most: the open-world feel of the exploration. While you initially need…

I'm not picky when it comes to games. I'm a content creator myself who works for many years solo on own projects. I know how hard it is especially if it's a passion project. BUT especially since I also write, frame out characters, plot, lore story and put it into something visible, I see only flaws here. Keep in mind it's my own opinion and not a general rule.Means you can add a "To me" before all of my critique. Issues: -Bad graphic. And with bad I mean bad. I love psx games, I even grew up with NES games, the simplest. I played free games online that have a very bad graphic. But here it's just "bad". The colors, dull, not vibrant. The textures and shadings, bad or not existent. The 2d sprites don't look like they were made with any love (and I say it as artist so I know what I talk of), parts are missing (the ears have no holes and there are not even streaks leading to them?) they look like taken 3d Assets from programs like CSP and drawn over in a bad way -Same with the models, the eyes look like mirrored copy pasted eyes (fish eyes) , dead and not inviting or "alive". -It more feels like a boy's fever dream of all cool things they like : We have Eiko that does not even fi…

Such a beautiful hommage to what many would consider the "gold age" of gaming, and yet Zefyr is so much more than that. Zefyr has built on the legendary early 2000s 3D platformer games and given it's own charm and twists. The gameplay is satisfying and at times challenging. The story is cleverly layered and crafted with real passion. Aesthetically Zefyr is playful and stunning. Thank you so much to the creator for making such an enjoyable game. 100/100 - highly recommended.

Awesome adventure.

For a solo project this is very impressive open world action adventure game. I particularly liked the climbing mechanic and exploration, the combat was a bit simplistic but serviceable. The graphics are pretty good too, the water reflections are especially well made. Overall I definitely recommend it!

good game.