Indie Game Hour: Trek To Yomi Review (PC)
Reviewed on PC (Xbox – Game Pass)
Trek To Yomi is an beautiful, story driven, cinematic experience…
-Brian Dawkins (Mook World)
Popular Indie game titles are often surprising hits in the world of gaming. They change from the mold of their AAA counterparts while having thought-out detail and a vision for how their game should be played. Polish Developer, Flying Wild Hog’s Trek To Yomi is a beautiful, story-driven, cinematic tale that lets the player dictate how the story concludes. The old-school feel, level structure, and linear combat system are the overwhelming factors in the player experience.
“You must start small, boy.”
The story begins with the main character Hiroki training in a dojo with his teacher Sanjuro. Sanjuro is teaching Hiroki the ways of combat and this is when we are first introduced to the game’s combat system. Movement is linear in style, with only the ability to move forwards and backward and requiring player input to make Hiroki turn around to face any enemy behind him.
This style of gameplay & combat was frustrating to deal with at the beginning of the game. If I move in the direction of my opponent I should face him automatically right?
– Not in the case of Trek To Yomi, and it was a huge adjustment very early on in the game.
Only having the option to move forward and back further emphasizes having to turn yourself around. There is no freedom of movement to loop around an enemy unless you roll dodge through them or take advantage of the parrying system. There was a love-hate relationship with the combat system for the first few chapters of the game.
Parrying is the focal point of combat.
It is how you open enemies up, preserve health, and stamina, and also what allows for unique combos and personal expression. The timing can feel rigid or clunky at times but once the mechanic has been mastered it makes for some spectacular cinematic fights with bosses and groups of enemies.
Executing deadly finishes, life-saving reversals, and dismantling opponents without getting touched is satisfying beyond belief. In addition to the combat with the katana that Hiroki wields, he picks up ranged items along his journey. The ranged items are not as flashy on their own but paired with the katana they elevate all of the skills that Hiroki has to offer.
“Glimpse the moments that await you”
After being introduced to the combat and controls in the opening scene. An emergency in the village takes Sanjuro from his training with Hiroki in a call to action for his home. This is where the cinematic storyline begins. From that moment on, Hiroki treks on a journey filled with glory, honor, love, loss, anguish, and every human emotion imaginable through his village and through Yomi.
Yomi is the Japanese word for the land of the dead; and trust me, there is no question about that on this journey! The level structure and design dictate the way the game is presented. There is no agency or control over the camera angle offered to the player.
This gives it a very deliberate, “directed-like” movie appeal as the entire game is presented in black and white throughout. Having no control over the camera can be frustrating, especially in combat, but the immersion and storytelling that comes from it are well worth it.
The presentation and plot are by far the game’s strongest selling points. To cap it off – players are given the choice to make key decisions at key points in the story that will impact the ending.
“Know your path before you take it”
As satisfying as the combat can be and as much of a visual spectacle as it is, Trek To Yomi has a solid learning curve before full enjoyment of the game takes place. The game is not incredibly difficult at its core, but the mechanics can be frustrating at times to get comfortable with. This is its biggest drawback.
Transitioning from free movement when exploring, to rigid forward and back combat that you are locked in, takes away from the enjoyment that the story brings. It is a very contrasting feature from a level design that encourages interaction and exploration because of the dialogue with characters, finding hidden collectibles, and replenishing tools that help you succeed.
It is a minor gripe that for some players could impact the persistence of playing the game to its full potential.
The story, lore, and artistic direction are captivating; the combat is tactical and satisfying to execute, and the replay value is there with multiple branching paths and endings to your story. Trek To Yomi may not have the bells and whistles that a typical AAA game would have but it doesn’t need it. Its bold decisions in art direction and mechanics are a refreshing experience.
This game is worth checking out & for those of you on the fence about picking it up,
I recommend it. It’s solid from start to finish and more people should spend some time playing this game.
Trek To Yomi is available now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, & PC.
TREK TO YOMI (PC)
FINAL SCORE: 7.5/10
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