Icarian (NyxQuest): Kindred Spirits

Comparisons to Frontier Games' Lost Winds are inevitable - both are independently developed platformers featuring 3D graphics on a 2D plane (though the style and tone of each are vastly different), and both use the Wii remote for a variety of interesting purposes. That's not to say that NyxQuest is derivative to a fault, though. It is, in fact, refreshingly innovative in the way it expounds on a few simple gameplay mechanics to create an endearing experience that never overstays its welcome. Three hours might seem pitifully brief, but as games like Lost Winds and Portal have proven, quality is often more important than quantity.

The game's bread and butter: running and jumping (and gliding) are all pleasingly responsive; laying the groundwork for additional mechanics which are introduced gradually as you progress. You're not immediately presented with a way to combat enemies, for example, forcing you to evade them at first. Before long, though, you'll be given the power to grab fireballs out of the air (using the Wii remote as a pointer) and launch them at hostiles. Each time you're given such a new power (by the Gods, no less) you'll be treated to a series of increasingly complex puzzles to test your mastery, reflexes, and ability to perform multiple actions simultaneously.

 

Arguably the most satisfying ability is the one which allows you to interact with the world around you (certain parts of it, at least) to bypass obstacles and create new paths. The scorching desert sand that lies on the floor of each level is deadly to the touch, and a common task is to safely cruise across its surface using a fallen pillar. By pointing at moveable objects such as the pillar, holding the B trigger, and moving the Wii remote around it's possible to drag objects around and even launch some in the air. Surfing across the screen is a simple prospect, but it's one of the many little pleasures that make NyxQuest such a joy to play.

To help mix things up, NyxQuest features a selection of boss encounters, most of which require you to deftly dodge projectiles or charging minions with jumps and glides while fighting back with your own offensive abilities. The final story stage takes this concept to the extreme, challenging you to race through a maze of enemies, moving platforms, and other obstacles while deftly shooting fireballs that are raining down from the sky in a frantic battle for survival. The culminating experience proves to be an excellent conclusion to the game, despite being a fairly significant change in pace compared to the rest of the adventure.