ATONE Heart of the Elder Tree | 2023 Gameplay Review (PC)
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ATONE Heart of the Elder Tree | 2023 Gameplay Review (PC)
The Good:
* Mix of exploration, combat, and puzzles
* Norse-inspired story
* Impressive presentation
The Bad:
* Conversation stakes are sometimes unclear
* Some weird puzzles
* Slow walking pace
Conclusion:
ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree is a great experience, driven by a strong story, a good mix of mechanics, and impressive atmosphere. Puzzles make sense and are satisfying to solve and combat never becomes the core mechanic. The Nordic-inspired universe is both intriguing and filled with good characters.
The relatively slow pace of the experience might be an issue for some players and a more robust hint system should have been included. But these are relatively small problems when compared to the charm and immersion it creates. Play it in small chunks, don’t be afraid to walk away from a puzzle for a few hours, and allow ATONE to provide a spark of magic with its mix of story and gameplay.
Review = EXCELLENT
STORY = 9
GAMEPLAY = 9
CONCEPT = 10
GRAPHICS = 9
AUDIO = 8
MULTIPLAYER = 0
FINAL RATING = 9