The puzzle platformer is a much-loved component in the video game industry’s repertoire, with a copious amount of titles in the genre nowadays, developers must think of new and innovative ways to create an entertaining experience that feels separate from the existing catalogue. While by no means a jewel in the puzzle platformers crown, Embers of Mirrim makes a damn good impression with a refreshing use of its challenges and mechanics.
Starting with my favourite aspect of this release, the “embers” system is your primary tool for solving puzzles alongside a glide and a ground pound. This allows you to separate into two coloured spirits which interact with switches, pathways and creatures around the levels that are either neutral or match a specific spirit’s colour.
Having to split your concentration between two points on a screen turned out to be a mental muscle I hadn’t used before, the early puzzles really tested my hand-eye coordination as some require you to move the spirits in totally opposite directions. Embers of Mirrim keeps the ball rolling throughout much of the early game, forcing players to take into consideration the distance between the spirits, switching in and out of embers multiple times throughout puzzles as well as combining this mechanic with movement potions such as traditional platforming.
All this interesting gameplay is held up by tight and responsive controls, like indie darling Super Meat Boy I felt that every death was due to my lack of understanding of the challenge ahead of me. As seen with so many dime-a-dozen indie platformers, delayed controls or rough-feeling movement can add a monumental sense of frustration to otherwise passable games.
Now onto the weaker aspects of Embers of Mirrim, despite the fun I had throughout this game is by no means perfect and in my opinion is let down by its visuals and narrative. While it’s evident that the developers over at Creative Bytes Studios made a good attempt of creating a fantastical world, the visuals presented fall short of the mystical scenery they likely pictured this title possessing.
While the game’s narrative itself is well conveyed without the use of dialogue, I felt as though little time was given to explain characters’ motivations for going on the adventure past “the bigger dog told us too”. Sure, our two protagonists are given a quest and therefore dedicate themselves to their mission, but why should I care when they fight each other? Why are they even fighting each other?
I assumed it’s because they were rivals, fighting over the contents of a mysterious temple. But seeing they don’t know its contents (as far as I know anyways, thus presents one of the weaknesses of no dialogue), this alongside other examples later personifies Ember’s occasional failure to convey their story.
Summary
Overall, if you’ve got a thirst for some puzzle platformer fun, Embers of Mirrim is a well-made title which may lose you when it comes down to its story and visual appeal. It’s certainly worth your time and money.
Connor is a games journalist, Staff Writer at VG247. They contributed 9 articles to ICXM in 2017, focused on game reviews, and Xbox news: now writes for VG247 (Gamer Network / IGN Entertainment), recognised in MCV 30Under30 2024.