AER: Memories of Old

A beautiful game with great flying, only held back by confusing interiors and a short duration.

Up there with the likes of Journey and ABZU, AER: Memories of Old is simple, elegant, and impactful. It's a heartfelt game that's a joy to play, and although its storytelling does feel like it gets in the way at times, your worries will evaporate when you're soaring effortlessly from one floating island to the next.

Developer Forgotten Key has crafted an enchanting world here, with a fantastically fun and fitting means of traversing it; a splintered land full of melancholy memories in which you soar, a singular source of hope in flight above a world that’s relying on you for salvation. It’s a trip, a meditation on the nature of man and his fractured relationship with the natural world around him, a beautiful journey that's well worth taking.

Ironically, AER Memories of Old doesn't leave much of a lasting impression. It feels like a prototype you might show a publisher to convince them to fund a full game. What's here is charming, but it feels underbaked compared to the games it patterns itself after. If you're looking for a laid-back Zelda-like adventure and don't mind spending $15 for a single play session, AER Memories of Old is a pleasant-enough distraction, just don't expect to be swept off your feet.

AER: Memories of Old is a charming explorative adventure game with a peaceful atmosphere aimed at relaxation and stress relief. The varied game world hides many small or big secrets and it will be up to you how much of it you want to discover. The transformations from girl to bird and vice versa are beautifully smooth, unfortunately the same cannot be said for the controls. The length of the gameplay isn't very friendly either, but if you're even slightly intrigued by the title, definitely take your time and immerse yourself in its beauty.

The depth of emotion that the story dips into is remarkable considering the game style, with the music and sound effects combining to create a specific atmosphere within it.

AER: Memories of Old makes a strong first impression with its lovely art style and lofty goals, but the experience often has its wings clipped by a shallow premise, serious performance issues, and not enough content in the areas at which it excels.

Overall, the game is just an exceptionally pleasant experience. Nothing it does is truly groundbreaking but almost everything just gels together into a very cohesive experience both aesthetically and in terms of gameplay. It’s an exploration game that has both a world you’ll want to see coupled with a means of traversing the world that’s just plain fun. What more can you ask for in such a game?

AER: Memories of Old teases its potential with some amusing bits - namely the rich atmosphere and the bliss that comes with soaring through the skies as a bird. Still, it feels a bit like Zelda-meets-Myst - with much less detail or interaction. Tough to recommend, unless you find great value in a characteristically passive, serene adventure game.

AER: Memories of Old, is a fun little three hour experience. It provides solid gameplay with an in depth lore for those who are devoted enough to attempt to comprehend it. While on the outside it looks like just another exploration simulator, it sets itself apart with a unique world and a unique way to travel through it. It has something for any kind of player, which is what makes it so appealing and worth your time.