Review | Unto the End

Just as our protagonist cannot avoid his fall, we cannot avoid entering the game proposed by 2 Ton Studios, although all the years that we carry our backs in videogames represent a difficult barrier to overcome, especially during the first hour. The world of Unto the End has no mercy, and neither does his proposal. The funny thing is that his way of dealing with it flees at all times from the canons of difficulty accepted and copied over and over again from the Souls saga. We have a similar penalty point when it comes to daring, but this time everything is focused on giving a component of realism that borders on cruelty and that insists on twisting mechanics inherited for generations. A logic that is based on “your avatar knows, you don’t, and you’re going to have to learn.”

We ventured into the world of Unto The End for around 6 hours on Xbox Series X

What we liked!

• Many genres in one game: The first thing to say about Unto The End is that its not an easy game to classify within a single genre. The title developed by 2 Ton Studios has the essence of a platform video game, but it also shares many characteristics of the action and adventure genre, I would say almost even exploration.
• A more than hostile environment: At first, especially if we do the tutorial, the combat mechanics will be fairly simple. With the left joystick we can cover ourselves if we have our sword drawn, moving it up or down depending on the enemy attack. With the (X) button we will perform a low attack and with (Y) a high one. Whether we get it right or not depends on whether the enemy has a weapon to protect himself with or not. On the other hand, we can also roll with (B) to evade or push our opponent with [RT] so that they fall to the ground and land a near-fatal blow. Apart from our sword and a torch to light the way, we will also have a dagger that we can throw with [RB] to activate traps or cut ropes. Of course, then it will have to be collected.
• Overwhelming realism: Another aspect that adds even more difficulty to Unto The End is its impressive realism both in combat and in the movement of our character. If we block the opponent’s attacks well, we will leave him open to deal a critical hit. But a bad cover that involves two or three blows from our enemy will serve to end our life or, at the very least, make us bleed to death in the snow or left defenseless to be finished off. For this reason, on many occasions you will have to flee to save yourself. If there’s one thing difficult video games like Dark Souls have taught me, it’s that the best defense is a good evasion.
• Exploration will be key: Fortunately, the game offers certain safe areas that, if we know how to take advantage, will allow us to advance a little more. In the dark, we will find some bonfires where we can warm ourselves and make healing potions with ingredients that we find from the environment, heal our wounds or fix our armor. This one, by the way, is not indestructible and will break more or less depending on the degree of improvement.
• Minimalist and immersive nature: Unto The End has an artistic section that makes you fall in love with its minimalism. Its not a video game that boasts 4K graphics or high realism, you really don’t need it. With a simple visual style, the title delights us with beautiful snowy landscapes where, from time to time, we will see herds of deer in the background, or sunsets that will leave us with our mouths open.

Somewhere between

• No help when playing: We will not find any indicator on the screen or interface (except for the menu that appears when opening the inventory). For example, as soon as the game starts, our character will appear and we will be able to move. You will not find any save slots or anything like that in between. This, of course, is also created on purpose to make us feel a much more immersive experience. And the truth is that it works. Along the way, Unto The End will surprise you with many and varied situations in which not everything is what it seems. The game itself will demand the best of you, not only in combat, but also by measuring your intelligence and decision-making ability at key moments.
• A sound section at a good level: The sound section is also at a great level, with very good ambient sound that gets us fully into the action. The game doesn’t have any type of voice because the gestures of its characters are enough to tell their story and convey the feelings of each of the protagonists. In addition, the melodies that appear from time to time are quite sensory and match perfectly with the game.

What we disliked

• Knowing what to do is always difficult: I’m not exaggerating if I tell you that when I started this game it took me half an hour to figure out what to do or where to go. Its a game that in that aspect is quite closed, at all times it lets the player discover for himself how to continue with the story and it is something that perhaps a person with a more casual style of play will not enjoy much.

CONCLUSION

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