Greak: Memories of Azur is a 2D side-scrolling adventure that incorporates puzzle-solving and action elements, centered around a character-switching mechanic that necessitates cooperation between the protagonists. Our exploration of the game world revealed both captivating aspects and areas where improvements could be made.
The most immediate observation is that Greak: Memories of Azur is visually stunning. The fairytale-inspired art style, utilizing cel-shading and traditionally rendered backgrounds with sprites, evokes comparisons to the beautifully crafted Child of Light from Ubisoft. While the soundtrack is pleasant and features a purportedly live orchestral recording, the in-game character vocalizations consist of indistinct mumbling. This is not a critical flaw, but it does lend the game a more indie-developed feel. (Notably, the Zelda series is a rare exception that has successfully employed this approach, largely due to its established legacy and consistent presentation.)
At its core, Greak is a comfortable side-scrolling adventure game featuring a serviceable narrative and a collection of mini-missions. The game attempts to engage both action and puzzle enthusiasts, but may not fully satisfy either audience. The combat mechanics, involving sword attacks, arrow projectiles, and magic spells, function adequately, reminiscent of Wonder Boy. However, a degree of imprecision and slight clumsiness can lead to an elevated difficulty curve, particularly in the initial stages of the game. The puzzles frequently require players to determine the correct sequence for character switching and action execution. While this works effectively, titles such as Trine offer a similar mechanic with even greater depth – including more playable characters – while maintaining a comparable level of visual appeal. Furthermore, Greak offers co-op support.
The potential for cooperative gameplay feels somewhat underutilized in Greak, given the game’s heavy emphasis on collaborative problem-solving. The experience is generally enhanced when shared with a friend, either locally or online (or by independently controlling multiple characters).
Our testing of the game was conducted on the PS5, where it performed smoothly and maintained its visually impressive presentation, as anticipated. The PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions feature 4K resolution and a 60fps frame rate. The game is also available on Switch and PC platforms.
In conclusion, Greak: Memories of Azur presents a competent 2D action-puzzle experience, warranting consideration, particularly given its attractive price point and exceptional hand-drawn visuals. However, some may find the action sequences to be somewhat unbalanced, and the omission of a more robust cooperative mode feels like a missed opportunity. Nevertheless, enthusiasts of the genre are likely to find the game recommendable, especially considering its value.
