Stories: The Path of Destinies
Overview -
In the realm of Boreas, Reynardo is certainly not the king, but this fox is a bit of a swashbuckler. From Spearhead Games, 'Stories: The Path of Destinies' puts players in control of Reynardo. This control is not limited to the fox's sword-wielding abilities, but rather, the paths and the choices that the rogue takes as he tries to navigate a war between ravens and rebel rabbits.
Video Review
Spearhead Games has extracted quite the storybook presentation from the Unreal 4 engine, and even better, made some stunning isometric looks. At the same time, however, the game has a rough finish to it. Combat is generally fine, but several levels have that Unreal level streaming hitching at various points. Likewise, the giant floating platforms, one-way doors, and shortlist of level designs, could do with a lot more individualization. The characters fit into this colorful world well, but half-hearted in-level cutscenes are pretty stodgy.
Audio Review
The singular narrator who voices all characters and chirps up regularly during levels is my main takeaway from the audio side. Many of the in-level jokes are pleasing to catch as the references are varied and subtly done. I found a line about needing to "construct additional pylons" especially funny. If anything, I wish that there was a larger cast of characters for the narrator to work with.
Final Thoughts
I enjoyed carving out a hero's path during my time with 'Stories: The Path of Destinies,' and I even entertained a non-gamer with the melodrama inherent to game's branching story. Action game fans will wish for a greater challenge, and everything that the game does well will make players wish that there was more of it.