GAME REVIEW | "Demon Tides" Captures Rareware-Era Magic with Some Success
I’ll give credit where it’s due: Fabraz’s Demon Tides certainly feels like a game from thirty years ago. In this instance, that’s a positive, as my time spent with Donkey Kong 64 and Banjo-Kazooie was filled with great memories. In a way, Demon Tides recaptures that feeling of grabbing a Nintendo 64 controller and popping in a cartridge for some 3D platforming. But it's not without its share of problems.
A sequel to Demon Turf, Demon Tides has you taking control of Beebz once more, as you travel to islands and uncover the kingdom’s many secrets. With your skills in flying, running, and climbing, Beebz will unlock new powers and discover talismans that will upgrade your abilities. And earning these new abilities requires some tasks to be completed, ranging from speedy runs through rings to fighting off enough baddies.
One of the big differences between Demon Tides and its predecessor is the visual style. Where Demon Turf had 2D characters set in a 3D world, this one goes all in with the 3D looks. It results in a much livelier experience, with attacks and skills showcased with an extra dose of eye candy. On top of that, the worlds look and feel brighter here, giving off a classic Rareware vibe to the overall presentation.
When it comes to the story, Demon Tides doesn’t really offer one. You seem to just go from one island to the next, unlocking the new skills and upgrades without a certain goal. There’s a bit here and there involving Beebz’s missing father, but it doesn’t really go deep into the reason behind his absence and the like. With that being said, it’s fun to interact with Beebz’s friends, including bestie Luci and the gearhead Midgi. There’s a good mix of modern-day and mid-90s vernacular used, which helps to capture the style of the classic 3D platformers from three decades ago.
Perhaps the most frustrating thing about Demon Tides is its controls. While it’s great having a lot of powers at your disposal, it’s hard trying to remember what button does which. I am grateful that you can plant a flag just about anywhere as your checkpoint, as I spent a lot of time attempting to jump from one long distance to another and wind up pressing the wrong button. Usually, these fingers of mine get it right after an hour or so, but even five hours in, I still was having trouble remembering what is dash, what’s wall run, and even what the ground pound was. (Ground pounds should be easy to do, but not in this game!)
As a result, the tasks you must do in order to complete areas are a lot more difficult than they should be. Ring races can be fun, as can those spots where you’re riding the rails like in a classic Sonic Adventure game. However, special zones that have you getting from Point A to B wind up feeling next-to-impossible, as I often kept pushing the wrong button or, in some cases, pushing the right button at the wrong time. Because of this, I had to start many levels right at the beginning, as the checkpoint flag didn’t work in these parts.
Nevertheless, Demon Tides has got some spunk to it. Yes, I do throw my controller at my bed whenever I fail for the umpteenth time, but something about its flair and attitude makes me want to pick it up again and try once more. Sometimes I have to shut the game off because of how frustrating it can be, but after a bit of time, I do find myself coming back and attempting to beat it. And with enough time, that victory does come.
PROS:
- Great visuals
- Cool powers
- Fun dialogue
CONS:
- Confusing controls
- Some frustrating areas to traverse
- Story not that engaging
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Demon Tides isn’t perfect by any means. However, it can be fun, even after you deal with some frustrating levels and its odd control scheme. It won’t replace those classic 3D platformers of years ago, but Demon Tides does enough to remind you of that golden era of 32/64-bit gaming.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Future Friends. Reviewed on the PC via Steam.
