Placeholder. That’s what springs to mind when playing UberMage. Placeholder graphics, with the crude 2D figures running around a simple, blocky 3D world; placeholder sound effects; placeholder writing, even down to the title of the game.

The game is a simple top-down adventure, chronicling the eponymous UberMage’s quest to rid his land of the evil, er, EvilMage’s influence. Yes. Utilising virtual twin-stick controls, the game avoids the problems of the inherent inaccuracy of such controls by having combat that is never more than slow and simple. Which does have the side-effect of making the combat never more than dull and unsatisfying.

The combination of crude aesthetics and simple gameplay harks back to nothing so much as the games that would come packaged with ‘game creation’ suites like Klik and Play to demonstrate what could be achieved with a little bit of effort. This impression is not lessened by the game being openly unfinished, with the second area of the game, EvilMage’s tower, being inaccessible: a message is thrown up on trying to enter, announcing that the area will be added in a later update.

None of which makes this a game without merit. The graphics, while simplistic, are not ugly – they serve their purpose, and are clear and easy to understand. The combat may be lacklustre and the production values lacking, but there is a reason that so many games followed this exact formula – wandering a world, even one so plain as this one; collecting items; solving simple puzzles; levelling up – all come together to make a compelling experience.

Unfortunately, the game likes to occasionally throw reaction-testing trials into the mix. Hordes of enemies and mazes filled with deadly, rebounding projectiles do not play well with the imprecise virtual twin-stick controls, and add an unnecessarily frustrating element to a game that would benefit from a gentler touch. Exploring the labyrinthine environments, working to find hidden switches and secret passages, this is challenge enough. Finally finding your way through to a new area only to die to a stray bullet is not a pleasant experience, and not one which encourages sustained play.

But when the game isn’t frustrating you, it’s a nice enough way to spend your time. Wandering around, completing simple tasks, slaying the odd monster – there are more innovative games around, but sometimes the basics are all you’re after. Not only is UberMage a nice, light adventure to waste a few minutes with, it’s also a nice, light, free adventure, from a developer promising to expand and improve the game as it goes on. A good start.

UberMage Gameplay Video

UberMage Screenshots

Version Under Review : 1.1.0.0

Website : ubermage, Twitter : @dastopher

Developers Note : This is a soft-launch. There are currently only four gameplay areas with five objectives each. In early September will be the first real launch with over sixty-five unique objectives, not including boss fights. By the holidays we plan to have over 160 unique objectives.

There is a trial version available and the full version is available for $2.99 and it has no limitations, other than ads . There is a FREE version I am assuming its the same as the trial.

Our Rating for UberMage

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