Yahtzee reviews Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, discussing its open-world design, combat mechanics, character dynamics, and overall ambition. Read the full transcript and analysis.
Walkthrough
- 1The game is set in an alternative world where Napoleonic-era fashion and technology clash with a horde of undead from Hell.
- 2Players control a soldier who must team up with a supernatural being to defeat other supernatural entities.
- 3The protagonist's dynamic with her supernatural companion mirrors that of Forspoken, but with less engaging dialogue and character development.
- 4Boss fights often reveal secrets about the companion's past, leading to token anger from the protagonist followed by immediate forgiveness.
- 5The game features a vaguely open-world structure with linear environments and optional side-quests, though exploration often feels unrewarding.
- 6Traversal includes double-jumps, but progression can be gated by seemingly arbitrary triggers, like standing in a specific spot to acknowledge being in a town.
- 7Combat combines melee attacks and flintlock guns. Guns are used for interrupts, while melee is for parrying, though the parry mechanic is inconsistent.
- 8The gunshot serves as a reliable interrupt, often trivializing combat difficulty despite the need to melee for reloads.
- 9A magic mechanic involves the companion attacking enemies to build up a special attack.
- 10A side-minigame involves collecting Pogs, which is a recurring theme for many NPCs.
- 11The game features a limited number of unique boss fights, with some awkwardly placed due to plot requirements.
Tips
- Utilize the gunshot as a primary interrupt to manage enemy attacks effectively.
- Be prepared for inconsistent parry timing and potentially unreliable melee combat.
- Don't expect deep character development or a compelling narrative arc.
- The open-world elements are not as robust as they might initially appear; focus on the main path if time is limited.
- The game may feel shortened due to development constraints, so manage expectations regarding content depth.
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