Unto the End – An assessment of the great challenge in survival | Review

Unto The End is a challenging 2D action-adventure game created by 2 Ton Studios and Kittehface Software, released on December 9, 2020 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Google Stadia, PC and Xbox One. It features subtitles in Portuguese Brazil for a localized experience.

In Unto the End, the player embodies a survivor with an impressive beard and red hair, fighting desperately for his life against monsters, traps, chasms and other deadly challenges. The narrative revolves around the epic journey home, full of sword fights, opportunities to use artifacts and exchange supplies, all narrated through the protagonist's own actions.

The game is notably minimalist in terms of direct communication, featuring just a few messages at the start. Although it has a tutorial that takes the form of souvenirs, the developers have chosen to allow players to understand Unto the End primarily through observation. This applies to world exploration, combat, and, crucially, the game's plot itself. Unto the End dispenses with dialogue, relying on a simply contextualized narrative. From that point on, players are left to their own devices to create their own narratives. The game begins with the main character going on a solitary hunt, when a woman and a boy approach and give him essential items for the journey. Their farewell is marked by simplicity, with just a wave and a last look back. From that moment on, be prepared, because the world beyond the limits of your home is a place full of dangers, traps and violence.

Imagem: Divulgação/Stephen & Sara

Right from the start, the game can cause confusion, leaving the player unsure whether it has already started or is still loading. To clarify, here's a tip: press the X button. The game's introduction is quite sparse, which can lead to the false impression that there will be dialogue when the characters appear on the screen. In reality, the game just waits for the player to press a button to continue.

The initial gameplay is somewhat complex and disorienting, as there are no visible directions on the screen, which can leave the player lost. It takes approximately five minutes for the game to provide some tutorials. In Unto the End, you will face challenging combat that requires a lot of patience to deal with enemies. The standard controls are somewhat complicated, but you can access the game menu and practice combat at any time.

One recommendation I can offer is to always keep the torch lit and NEVER abandon it. There was a very curious situation with me: I ended up falling into a hole in the cave without the torch, and it was practically impossible to see anything. I had to restart the game and resume the journey from the beginning.

Imagem: Divulgação/Stephen & Sara

As mentioned previously, in Unto the End, the player is faced with several traps, and they are not simple at all. Without advance warning, these traps can emerge in a variety of ways, with no warning to warn you about entering a dangerous area. Therefore, it is crucial to be very careful and move cautiously through the scenario to avoid unpleasant surprises.

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If an opponent attacks from above, it is essential to defend him with a high block or by crouching. On the other hand, if the blow is aimed below the waist, you can jump or use the low block as a defense. Each enemy type has an invisible resistance bar, and after a certain number of consecutive blocked hits (usually 3 to 4), they are momentarily stunned and vulnerable to more powerful counterattacks that deal greater damage. To play successfully, you need to adopt a strategic approach, allowing you to closely observe enemy movements and react quickly. Simply pushing buttons without discretion will only lead to frustration. Armored enemies are particularly cunning and challenging to defeat.

An important note about the resources you collect along the journey is that they can be easily overlooked in the scenery. In my opinion, this represents a significant error and certainly could have been addressed more effectively. Of course, over time, you get used to them and can identify them, but at first, it can be quite complicated.

Imagem: Divulgação/Stephen & Sara

Unto the End features relatively simple graphics for a 2D game, with a more modest quality of detail. However, this does not pose a significant problem. The game's scenarios are carefully crafted, providing a surprisingly realistic atmosphere for players. It is essential to exercise caution when exploring these scenarios, as some features can be easily missed. This is because the scenarios hide accesses that are quite subtle and can go unnoticed by players, who may feel disoriented due to the various path options available in the environment.

The game's sound effects are excellent for a platform title, however, when it comes to the soundtrack, it tends to go unnoticed. Although it integrates well into the game, sometimes it takes a backseat due to the character's constant breathing, which seems to be panting all the time. It is possible that the developers believed that this would bring the player closer to the character, making the game “more realistic”.

Unto the End is an exceptional platformer for those who enjoy meaningful challenges. Any small mistakes in the game can go unnoticed, allowing the player to fully enjoy the experience. If you're the type of person who isn't looking for a straightforward narrative and wants to explore an environment full of danger without being constantly alerted, this game is highly recommended.

Analyzed on PlayStation 4

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