Written by Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title: YIIK: A Postmodern RPG
Developer: Ackk Studios LLC
Publisher: Ysbryd Games
Genre: Role-Playing, Adventure
Price: $19.99
Also Available On: PS4, Steam
YIIK: A Postmodern RPG - Ackk Studios’ labor of love is exactly what its title suggests: a role-playing game set near the turn of the millennium. It’s also decidedly unique: It gladly gives in to Oriental influences in look, sound, and thematic presentation, but employs the setting of a small Western town in thrusting characters at the forefront of a narrative rich in the mysterious and the supernatural. Alex, newly graduated from college and unsure of his direction in life, serves as the ideal principal protagonist, eager to spout theoretical concepts while dealing with practical realities.
YIIK: A Postmodern RPG is by no means perfect. It makes no pretenses about its Earthbound roots, and because it draws inspiration from the Super Nintendo Entertainment System cult classic, it manages to be a winsome look at a not-too-long-ago era spiced up by alternate realities. Unfortunately, it also sets itself up for misplaced comparisons. As an aside, the turn-based combat mechanics, affecting in their use of otherwise-nondescript items as weapons, suffer from uneven pace and balance. On the whole, though, it delivers on its promise of 20-odd hours of immersive gameplay.
THE GOOD
- Superb audio-visual presentation
- Compelling storyline
- Immersive setting
THE BAD
- Sets too high a bar in proudly parading its Earthbound roots
- Uneven combat mechanics
- Suffers from load times and frame drops
RATING: 8/10
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