Dracamar
Review
Classic 3D Platforming Goodness
by Camrin Santchi
reviewed on PC
Heyday Havoc
The era of the 3D Platformer has gone through several iterations, but this reviewer and many other gamers will likely point to the 5th and 6th generations of consoles, with the N64's classics like Banjo-Kazooie or Super Mario 64, or the Gamecube and Dreamcast's hits like Sonic Adventure and Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg, as the go to moment in time for the genre. The topic of today's review, Dracamar, is a delight that draws clear inspiration from the games of this era.
Dracamar is a level based 3D platformer set in a charming, Mediterranean style Archipelago. Players take control of one of three playable characters on a journey to stop the wicked King Crad from conquering their home. Part of his plan is to corrupt the rotund, charming populace of creatures called Okis into cruel Mokis, via aptly named Moki-Balls that need to be smacked out of them by our playable heroes to turn them back to normal.
Vast and Vibrant
The art style of Dracamar is somewhat simple but incredibly charming, and players get plenty of opportunity to witness it in the large levels that make up the campaign of the game. These levels are bright and colourful, and are chock full of charm, including the ability to pet Okis once you snap them out of their corrupted Moki state. As always, petting the dog (or Oki in this case) is a very, very integral part of game design, so it's great to see that the developers of Dracamar knew to include it.
Levels are littered with side-paths, often containing collectibles, Okis to be freed, or additional Moki-Balls, which are used as currency to repair the bridges between islands. Some are as simple as finding an alternate route, while others are more complex platforming challenges that can take a bit of figuring out in regards to optimum routes or timing. This encourages exploration, and that the alternate routes will always lead players back onto the main route ensures that a thorough gamer can collect all they please in a single run through of a level.
Floaty and Fun
The platforming in Dracamar is undeniably floaty, but is overall very solid, especially once players get used to the amount of distance that they can clear with each of their movement options. The early levels provide a good way for players to adapt to the specifics of Dracamar, and can leave players eager for more engaging or challenging platforming segments in later levels.
A simple trick for players of Dracamar is to keep an eye on their player character's shadow - oftentimes that can aid when depth perception doesn't feel up to the task of figuring out where you might land.
Players can also use your spin attack a few times while in the air, which can be used to more easily clear distances or adjust momentum and direction to better control your landing. This is a fantastic tool, and players can take full advantage to get a better feel of the range of their abilities.
Nostalgic Narm
Dracamar borrows a lot from older 3D platformers - this includes plenty of highs like a charming if simple art style and engaging platforming, but also arguably includes one of the lower points, with the voice acting feeling flat or overexaggerated at certain points in the game. It's hardly something to make this reviewer want to dock points for, in fact it makes Dracamar feel so much more like a time capsule for that specific era, but it may make some players a tad bit wary.
Difficulty wise the main level portions of Dracamar are accessible and friendly towards those with limited experience with 3D platformers, but off the beaten path players can be met with slightly trickier challenges that put what they learn a bit more to the test.
Jump Into a Simpler Time
Overall, Dracamar is a lot of fun, but definitely has more to offer players that recall the early days of 3D platforming with fondness. With charming but simple visuals, somewhat stilted dialogue, and fun platforming across expansive levels, Dracamar feels like a moment caught in time in the best of ways, providing players with a taste of the way things used to be. For anyone that loved the heyday of 3D platformers, or is looking for an enjoyable jaunt through a colorful world, Dracamar is one to keep in mind!
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8.3
fun score
Pros
Sprawling Levels, Charming Style, Fun Platforming
Cons
Stilted Dialogue, Floaty Jumps
