
The combat especially feels very imprecise and difficult to control, thanks in no small part to the fact that you can only lock onto an enemy while blocking. So, with so much done well, Oceanhorn 2 should be an easy recommendation, right? Well, for as much as it does well, the game, unfortunately, has some glaring issues.įor how polished the visuals are, the actual gameplay often feels…off. That it all runs as smoothly as it does – and even features some extremely solid voice acting – is a testament to the level of polish the developers have put into the game as a whole. The aesthetic is helped by some absolutely gorgeous art design, with lush environments that pop with vivid colors.

It’s a captivating world that, at times, reminded me of Final Fantasy, and I say that as a compliment. The game leans harder into its science-fantasy aesthetic than any Zelda game, adding things like firearms and robots into the mix. Not only that, but it throws in some of its own ideas as well. You have a silent young male protagonist, vast landscapes to explore and find hidden things in, new items that open up access to previous areas, over the shoulder hack-and-slash combat, etc. The game truly feels like playing a forgotten entry in the Zelda series, with all the trappings. It’s a massive undertaking for any studio, let alone a small indie one, and in many aspects, they’ve delivered in spades. Oceanhorn 2 aims to recreate the look, feel, and gameplay of the massively influential 3D Zelda titles, most notably entries like The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. has attempted something really ambitious. The first game was a cute throwback to the franchise’s 2D era, but with its sequel, the team at Cornfox & Bros.

The Oceanhorn franchise has always worn its reverence for Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda series on its sleeve. Well, if anyone at Nintendo has played Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm since its release, I suspect they’re feeling pretty flattered right about now. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Discuss your favorite titles, find a new one to play or share the game you developed.Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm by Cornfox & Bros.
