Running around the island itself though is where the joy of Tchia lies. It follows exactly how you’d use a map in real life, using landmarks and specific junctions of the road, but I found it to be a bit obtuse when you manage to be on the map if you’re sailing the boat. I like the approach, with plenty of icons to let you know what things are as you uncover them or reveal them through the traditional “climb a tower” method, but Tchia herself is never shown on the map except if you stop at a sign post on a road or after the tower. Something I’m not as big a fan of is the map design. That’s okay though, this game is better without as much combat, and with its focus instead on exploration.Įxploring this wonderful island is paramount to succeeding in Tchia. I will say, if you go into Tchia expecting a lot of combat, think again, as your trusty slingshot isn’t often used beyond a few puzzles. Honestly, if you mash together BotW and Windwaker, you have the basis of what Tchia contains given the art style (I love the cartoony take). There are plenty of mechanics that will remind you of it, with gliding and climbing anything (as long as you have the stamina), being chief among them. A lot of people will want to compare it to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and it’s not a bad compliment. Speaking of button presses, Tchia’s gameplay is top notch. That, combined with enchanting musical performances (the music of the game is incredible in general) make for heartstring tugging moments, which you can engage in by a “play the instrument” mini-game if you’d like, or allow it to proceed automatically via a button press. While some may not prefer the choice to record all of the dialogue in French and Drehu, I really enjoyed the immersion of it. Some of the developers of Awaceb are from there, and so much of their passion bleeds through the gorgeous landscapes and endearing sequences. Tchia’s location is based around the small island of New Caledonia that resides in the Pacific ocean, with tons of inspiration taken from its culture. On a more positive note, the display of the culture from Awaceb is amazing and also where the narrative is at its best. Exploring them further is definitely on my wishlist for whatever comes next for Tchia. They are all stellar, and besides Lilly, I don’t know that any of them get their moment in the sun. I felt like I bid farewell to many of them far too early, and their part in the story was simply to move me to the next chapter. Maybe it will take a second game or expansion, but I’d also like to see more from some of the characters you’re introduced to. It isn’t bad, but it never reaches the potential it has. I’m not expecting Oscar-worthy cinema here, and the main story is decently short, but there’s so much more I’d love to learn beyond the story Tchia presents. It can be a little shallow as well, with a one-dimensional villain and plenty of backstory that’s missing in action. But, the main narrative can be a bit hard to keep up with. There is some great story telling that occurs when you’re still in exploration mode at the beginning, as well as in a specific forest you reach along the way. That being said, there are highs and lows when it comes to the story of Tchia. There is an option to turn on a family friendly filter in the settings, so I warn anyone grabbing this for your little ones, make sure that’s active. I’ll do my best to stay out of spoiler territory, but Meovara does something extremely revolting in your very first meeting, and it’s not family friendly. Starting with the story, there are so many delightful moments, but there are similarly several that are absolutely harrowing. This is where you get into the nitty gritty of Tchia, and there is a lot here I didn’t expect. But not before Tchia gets a swipe in at the villain’s (named Meavora) second in command, Pwi Dua, using a special power she didn’t know she had. The next day a helicopter comes to the island, stealing Tchia’s dad away and leaving her stranded with Tre, the family friend. It’s after this beautiful segment of welcoming him with a “coutume” (a customary gift) that everything hits the fan. She’s doing normal things on a little island with her father, and waiting for the arrival of a family friend with needed supplies. Tchia, our titular heroine, finds herself less of one at the beginning of the game.
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