Figment 2: Creed Valley Reviews

  • NeoRyuu777NeoRyuu777729,229
    17 Jan 2024 17 Jan 2024
    6 0 0
    Figment 2: Creed Valley is a lighthearted puzzle adventure that nonetheless delivers the simple Aesop of remembering to enjoy life.

    The world of Figment is a representation of a man's Mind, and likewise our two protagonists are representatives of core feelings:

    Dusty, the Avatar of Courage, is a simple, stubborn, driven swordsman who focuses on defeating Nightmares - fears that plague the Mind and make it difficult to keep moving forward.

    His partner, Piper, the Avatar of Optimism, is a caring, thoughtful, curious, introspective bird who tries to balance Dusty out so he doesn't get carried away whacking his problems away with his wooden sword.

    The game has you travel through various pieces of the mind, from the Moral Compass, through the Ethics Maze and exploring Principle Square, encountering Opinions ranging from the reasonable to the downright absurd, in pursuit of defeating a particularly stubborn Nightmare known as the Jester. The Jester's apparent goal? Wrecking the Mind until it gives up and parties with him.

    And along the way, you'll pick up Remembrance Shards. Collect enough of them, and you'll unlock some of the man's memories, telling a story of how he got to where he is. It's an all-too-relatable story, too.

    Much of the game's fun comes from the musical elements; every boss comes with a song, there are piano stairs in several places, and other little musical elements here and there just give a lot of flavor to the game. My wife and I will probably be referencing the introductory boss's refrain for years, and I doubt I'll ever not laugh remembering the Choir of Rejected Opinions.

    It's a short game, but well worth playing. I only wish it could have been longer.

    My final score: 4.5 out of 5.
    4.5
  • MacfotterMacfotter612,398
    08 Sep 2024
    0 0 0
    Figment 2: Creed Valley: A Musical, Manic Dive into the Mind—With Puzzles, Battles, and a Dash of Weird

    Welcome to Figment 2: Creed Valley, where the inside of your mind is a twisted carnival of surreal landscapes, musical showdowns, and puzzles that teeter between delightfully clever and "Where did I put my brain?" This game is a psychedelic exploration into the mind’s emotional and rational realms—think of it as Inception meets a quirky, offbeat Broadway musical.

    Story: Deep Thoughts, Silly Execution
    The game’s premise is as philosophical as it gets: you’re exploring the mind’s inner world to restore balance between the chaotic emotions and the cold logic. You play as Dusty, the manifestation of courage, who, alongside your chipper sidekick Piper, is tasked with saving the mind from Nightmares—literal monsters made of fear and anxiety. It’s deep, introspective stuff, wrapped in a goofy, whimsical package.

    The dialogue dances between silly banter and profound moments, like someone reading from a fortune cookie while juggling. Don’t let the cutesy art fool you—there are existential themes lurking behind the colorful backdrops, and they’re explored with more nuance than you might expect.

    Gameplay: Puzzles, Battles, and Musical Boss Fights (Yep, You Read That Right)
    This is a game of two halves: exploration and combat, all tied together with clever puzzles and… musical numbers.

    - Puzzles: Most of the gameplay is about solving puzzles to progress. You’ll push blocks, redirect streams of energy, and toggle between emotional and rational states, all while trying not to fry your own brain in the process. The puzzles are engaging, often requiring you to think outside the box, but they never feel too overwhelming.

    - Combat: The combat is straightforward—hack and slash your way through hordes of nightmares—but it’s the boss fights that steal the show. Each major boss is a full-on musical number. Imagine a Broadway villain singing their heart out while trying to kill you, and you’ve got the essence of Figment 2’s bosses. These battles are rhythmic, requiring you to dodge attacks in time with the music, which makes them as much a mental exercise as a test of reflexes.

    Difficulty: A Balanced Mind
    The difficulty in Figment 2 strikes a sweet spot. The puzzles are challenging without being frustrating, and the combat isn’t too punishing, even if you’re not a pro at action games. It’s the kind of game that makes you feel smart for figuring things out but doesn’t leave you pulling your hair out when things get tricky. Plus, the game’s checkpoint system is forgiving, so you won’t be stuck replaying large sections if you mess up.

    Art and Music: A Feast for the Senses
    Visually, what we have is a hand-painted wonderland. Every level looks like a dreamscape pulled from a Salvador Dalí painting—except with fewer melting clocks and more sentient pianos. The art style is vibrant and whimsical, with each area representing different parts of the mind in creative and unexpected ways.

    But it’s the music that really sets the game apart. Every boss has a theme song, complete with lyrics, and the soundtrack dynamically changes based on what’s happening around you. The music is integrated into the gameplay, making you feel like you're playing a part in a bizarre, interactive musical.

    A Beautiful Mind Trip
    Figment 2: Creed Valley is a surreal, charming, and occasionally bizarre journey into the mind’s inner workings. Its mix of thoughtful puzzles, musical boss fights, and whimsical art makes it stand out from other action-adventure games. If you’re looking for something that’s equal parts philosophical and wacky—while occasionally making you hum along to villainous tunes—this game will keep your brain entertained in the best way.
    3.5
  • TheBlackDeeshTheBlackDeesh814,596
    11 Jan 2024
    1 3 0
    Synopsis:

    -Figment 2: Creed Valley is an action-adventure game set in the deep recesses of someone’s mind. You play as Dusty, the heroic part of the mind that prevents chaos and chases away unwanted thoughts.
    -As you navigate the whimsical environment, you encounter puzzles, errant thoughts, and a two-faced jester antagonist. Basically, you just explore the world and rebuild the “moral compass” to progress the story.
    -I am impressed with the creativity in this game, in both the premise and the execution. If you asked me to play a game set in someone’s brain, I’d be skeptical. But this game just works. It is vibrant, has a good message, and overall, isn’t awful to play.

    Pros:

    -The overall ambiance in this game is brilliant. The colors, the music, and the sound effects truly create an uplifting experience.
    -The game doesn’t take forever. With a guide, you’re looking at 3-4 hours.
    -The characters, while abstract, are actually kind of charming.

    Cons:

    -For some reason, you can’t jump? I don’t know why, but that’s just a missing mechanic. You can dodge out of the way of attacks, but there’s virtually no platforming in this game. I guess I was expecting gameplay more like Spyro or Super Lucky’s Tale.
    -Other than that, not a lot to hate about this game. Except maybe how weird it is.

    Analysis:

    -Storyline is Good
    -Gameplay is Average
    -Mechanics are Simple
    -Graphics are Abstract
    -It isn’t difficult

    Is it worth it?

    -Is the game worth the price? No.
    -Is the game on game pass? Yes.
    -Is the grind worth the gamerscore? Not even really a grind, so yes.
    -Easy completion? With a guide. Some of the puzzles tied to achievements are a bit tricky
    -Would I play this game if it had no achievements? Probably Not.

    TBD Score: 6.73
    3.5
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