Game: Ylands: Nintendo Switch Edition
Genre: Adventure, Action, Strategy
System: Nintendo Switch (also available on Steam (Windows)
Developers | Publishers: Bohemia Interactive
Age Rating: US E | EU 3
Price: US $24.99 | UK £22.49 | EU € 24,99
Release Date: June 20th, 2024
A review code was used; many thanks to the Press Engine.
In Ylands you can go on a great adventure in a relaxed atmosphere. There is lots to do, like building a ship, befriending animals, diving underwater, fighting enemies, enjoying stunning low-poly views and discovering the rich lore of Classy Adventurers Guild.
Adventure Awaits in Ylands
I absolutely adore games that let me venture into the unknown without limits! Ever since I was young, I craved the excitement of escaping on thrilling adventures. This thirst for exploration was fueled by fantastical books like “Alice in Wonderland.” As I grew older, my passion for adventure led me to seek out the same thrills in video games. The thrill of discovering new worlds and conquering challenges has become a major source of joy and excitement for me.
I can’t get enough of the exhilaration that comes with exploring virtual realms and embarking on epic quests. Nothing beats the rush of that moment when you stumble upon a hidden treasure or defeat a formidable foe. Adventure awaits around every digital corner, and I’m always ready to dive headfirst into the next exciting journey.
Ylands promises an exhilarating adventure that goes beyond expectations. Picture this: you begin your journey in what appears to be a mysterious cave or tomb, with the ultimate goal of reaching the renowned Adventurers Guild. The terrain is filled with obstacles that test your skills right from the start – spikes suddenly popping up from the floor, threatening to end your journey prematurely. But fear not, as the thrill of overcoming these challenges only adds to the excitement! However, as I delved deeper into the game, I noticed that the controls felt a bit clunky. More on this later.
There Be Danger on These Shores
Once you are welcomed into the Adventurers Guild, the possibilities are endless as you claim your very own boat and set sail into your own personalized adventure. What sets Ylands apart from other simulation and crafting games is the importance of survival. Each island is filled with threats and enemies that will test your skills and strategy. The sea is also a dangerous place, requiring careful navigation to avoid disaster. Don’t let your ship get marooned or collide with an iceberg – be prepared to jump ship and swim to safety.
That’s Crafty!
Crafting in Ylands is an exciting and essential aspect of the game! Not only will you need to replace your tools as they break constantly, but you’ll also have to gather resources in order to craft new items. The thrill of discovering new materials will unlock a whole new world of crafting possibilities for you to explore.
One feature that I believe would enhance the crafting experience in Ylands is the ability only to show craftable items or to track your progress towards crafting a specific item. This would make the crafting process even more streamlined and enjoyable.
The only time this option is available is during the tutorial, where your axe breaks (as seen in the image above.) I feel like this is a big feature that is missing. Nobody likes menu hopping, and Ylands’ menus are mediocre at best and offer a relatively clunky experience.
The game does offer a “tech tree” system that allows you to unlock various craftable items and abilities. To unlock these abilities, you need to provide the necessary resources.
Quest-ion Me This
I absolutely love the thrill of completing quests and being rewarded for my achievements in games! In Ylands, one of the best rewards you can earn is exploration points, which grant you access to new and exciting islands and terrains to explore. However, I must admit that it can be quite frustrating when earning these points becomes a challenge. Not only are exploration points essential for unlocking new locations but they are also needed to access advanced tech tree items. It’s a constant battle of deciding between venturing into uncharted territories or advancing your abilities with new technology.
One of the primary modes in which I have engaged in playing Ylands is the adventure mode. However, there is also a sandbox mode available that allows players to directly choose island type, terrain, and other specific settings. In this mode, all crafting recipes and items are unlocked from the start, providing a more free-form experience. While sandbox mode can be a useful tool for exploration and experimentation, I personally prefer the challenge and satisfaction of earning new items through progression in adventure mode. This mode allows me to invest time and effort in achieving the resources and knowledge needed to thrive in the game world.
Regrettably, despite its potential, my experience with Ylands was quite frustrating. The camera controls, in particular, were difficult to navigate and often left me feeling exasperated. This was especially evident when attempting to build and place my ship within the game. I encountered challenges with zooming out to position my ship accurately, and manoeuvring it into the water required a considerable amount of effort.
I noticed something strange while playing the game. It seems that if you accidentally place your ship too close to land, you won’t be able to steer it into the water, no matter how hard you try. Instead, it just sits there like a glorified ornament, unable to do anything. I’m not sure if this is a bug or intentional design, but it definitely hinders gameplay.
I also found the controls counterintuitive, and I had to practically stand on top of a resource I actually wanted to be able to gather it.
Conclusion
Ylands had me feeling eager for a thrilling adventure survivalist simulator, but unfortunately, it left me feeling frustrated and disappointed. While the realism of the survival aspect was impressive, the clunky camera and controls, along with the counterintuitive menus, made me wish I was playing something else. However, if you’re looking for a less blocky version of Minecraft with a strong focus on survival, then Ylands might be the perfect game for you. Even though it wasn’t the right fit for me, I can see the potential for others to enjoy the challenging gameplay and immersive survival experience Ylands has to offer.
You can buy Ylands on the Nintendo E-Shop here
Final Verdict: I Don’t Like It
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