Imp of the Sun

It would seem that light would be synonymous with an empire that adopts its name after the sun. Well, thank goodness that we've got a platformer in Imp of the Sun. It needs to come and restore the light lost to its namesake. We've got yet another indie side-scroller that taps into the recent popularity of this genre. But let's face it, we haven't gotten quite enough of these yet.

The good thing about these games is that they are oddly familiar - loose enough to go in any gameplay direction the developer wishes. It also facilitates the immersive feats of a rich story and unique artwork that parallels cultural lore. Imp of the Sun doesn't look like it's going to fail on any of those fronts.

Beam Me Up, Impy

The concept of a side-scrolling platformer that adopts a vibrant world and a strengthening protagonist is nothing new. What seems to keep these games interesting is the unique direction that they are taken. Imp of the Sun adopts an art style that resembles Peruvian folklore, set in an age of Andean culture. It's here that light and suns are taken into high regard.

That sets up the narrative for the game. You, as the son of the sun, will restore light to the Sun Empire. You'll fight through hordes of enemies, down bosses, and solve puzzles in this colorful 2D world. The rich universe really writes itself - and the abilities that grow as you play create a streamlined story that is as unique as it is enjoyable.

Imp of the Sun is a pleasure to look at. That is, up until you face what seem to be choppy animations. However, every asset in the game is hand-drawn. That would explain why a lot of combat feels like a dropping frame rate. While it's excusable, other games have managed to circumvent these to feel seamless. So, if there is any frustration to the game - that would be it.

Otherwise, Imp of the Sun is another side-scrolling 2D platformer that would be easy to roll your eyes at. But again, we have a fascinating South American perspective that we simply can't be interested in playing. The action is swift, the concept is intriguing, and there is a vast world of mythology to explore that most wouldn't be too inclined with.

Enjoy The Sun While It Lasts

Imp of the Sun is a Peruvian-inspired take on Ori and the Blind Forest. The two games play very similarly. However, before you fob it off as a clone of the latter - Imp of the Sun does adapt to its gameplay style. The abundance of lore, story, and visuals set up such an extraordinary universe that it easily stands up on its own.

Pros:

• Extraordinarily world based on Peruvian folklore
• Fast-paced, challenging gameplay
• Visuals are gorgeous

Cons:

• Framerates feel choppy even though visuals are hand-drawn
• The storyline gets a bit confusing