Alundra

The Adventures of Alundra is one of those hidden gems that flew under the radar but left a lasting impression on anyone who played it. At first glance, it looks like your typical top down action-adventure game, heavily inspired by Zelda, but dive deeper, and you’ll find a surprisingly dark and intricate experience. The story follows Alundra, a dude with the ability to enter people’s dreams, who gets shipwrecked on an island plagued by nightmares. The villagers are dropping like flies, their minds devoured by these dreams, and it’s up to you to jump into their subconscious and fix things. The narrative gets pretty heavy, dealing with themes of grief, despair, and even existential dread, way darker than you’d expect from a game with cute sprites.   

Gameplay-wise, it’s a mix of exploration, puzzle solving and combat. The dungeons are brilliantly designed, with puzzles that’ll make you scratch your head but never feel unfair. Some of them are real brainbusters requiring precise timing and clever use of items. Combat is straightforward but satisfying, with a variety of swords, magic and tools to keep things fresh. The difficulty can be brutal tho, enemies hit hard, platforming requires pixel perfect jumps, and some bosses will wreck you if you’re not prepared. It’s the kind of game that rewards patience and skill, but dude, it can be punishing.   

The devs in West cranked up enemy stats and damage for no good reason, making some sections way harder than they needed to be. That’s why the enemy stat restoration patch is a godsend; it restores the original Japanese balancing, so fights stay tough but fair. Even with those tweaks tho, don’t expect a cakewalk, Alundra’s dungeons will still test your reflexes and puzzle solving chops.

The visuals are charming, with detailed sprites and vibrant environments that bring the island to life. The music is a standout too, with a melancholic yet beautiful soundtrack that fits the game’s somber tone. The characters, while not super deep, are memorable, and the way the story unfolds through their personal tragedies adds weight to the journey. The writing is sharp, balancing humor and drama without feeling forced.   

Where Alundra really shines is in its atmosphere. The sense of isolation, the creeping dread as more villagers fall victim to nightmares and the eerie dream sequences create a vibe that sticks with you. It’s a game with heart and ambition. If you’re into action-adventures with depth and don’t mind a challenge, this one’s worth digging up. It’s aged well, and its unique blend of storytelling and gameplay still holds up today.

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Alundra 2

Oh, Alundra 2? Dunno, didn’t play it. Maybe it's fun? Your call.

Alundra 2: A New Adventure Begins