DaRmaZat Fountains immerses players in a mysterious world full of danger, secrets, and interconnected pathways. You begin as a nameless wanderer, imprisoned in the Usurper’s Prison by the oppressive Ageless, and must fight to survive, uncover hidden truths, and explore a richly detailed environment fraught with peril. With its retro aesthetic and unique mechanics, Fountains promises an engaging and atmospheric journey for players seeking a tough but rewarding experience. But does this pixel-art title truly deliver?
Stimulates Exploration By Its Intricate World Design
Fountains shines as a metroidvania with intricate exploration and interconnected level design. Its world is filled with shortcuts, secrets, treasure chests, and numerous locked doors and barriers requiring specific tools to progress, such as the use of charms to dispel obstacles. Each area invites you to sidetrack and discover hidden life fragments for health upgrades, coins, and other treasures. Exploring off the main path is especially rewarding, as enemies don’t respawn, and there are plenty of secrets to uncover.
A unique feature of the game is the text fragments scattered throughout the world, prompting players to choose between “good” and “bad.” These messages, shared through a cleverly integrated user-generated system (which can also be turned off), don’t influence progression but serve as a nod to Dark Souls, adding a layer of interactivity and atmosphere.
Obviously, the in-game fountains are crucial for survival in the brutal and challenging world, serving as save points where you can rest, heal, and purchase water—a resource used for both healing and specific abilities. Navigating the map is straightforward thanks to its manual markers for guidance, but unfortunately, there’s no auto-location feature to show your current position, and you can very easily fall off the black borders of the screen, which represent ledges. While this requires careful navigation, it aligns with the game’s emphasis on exploration and player-driven discovery.
Combat, Mechanics, And Progression System: A Mixed Bag
Fountains is not an easy game, boasting a steep learning curve and occasional difficulty spikes. Combat emphasizes timing and precision, with an invincibility dodge mechanic allowing you to avoid enemy attacks. While the system is simple and effective, it can feel clunky at times due to unpredictable enemy patterns and a lack of stagger mechanics. Boss fights are a standout feature, providing challenging and rewarding encounters that demand quick reflexes and strategy.
Clunky at times, repetitive at others.
Progression doesn’t follow the traditional Soulslike leveling system but instead relies on collecting and equipping items like chainmail, swords, and buffs from spices. Destructible items and scattered coins encourage further exploration, while collectible gear and upgrades offer depth. However, the limited variety of melee weapons and modest smithing upgrades might leave players craving more diversity.
Switching tools and managing inventory can also feel cumbersome, particularly for players using a keyboard, so the use of a controller is recommended. However, the inclusion of quick-access slots for special items helps streamline the experience somewhat.
Audio, Atmosphere, And Visuals: A Delightful Treat
The sound design is a standout feature in Fountains, immersing players with detailed effects. The audio design builds tension and complements the world’s desolate and mysterious tone, while the music itself is subtle and often a bit too silent. However, the score transitions into something epic and atmospheric when the moment calls for it, enhancing the overall immersion.
A treat for fans of pixel-art games.
The pixelated art style is beautifully crafted and particularly shines on PC handheld devices like the ASUS RoG Ally and Steam Deck, where the game’s retro aesthetic truly comes to life. This attention to visual detail helps bring Fountains’ haunting world to vivid realization, making it a treat for fans of pixel-art games.
Final Thoughts
Fountains is a rewarding and challenging indie title that excels in world-building, exploration, and atmosphere. While not without flaws, such as clunky combat and a steep learning curve, the game’s interconnected map, intriguing mechanics, and thoughtful design more than make up for its shortcomings. Clearly inspired by titles like Dark Souls, Death’s Door, Hollow Knight, and Hyper Light Drifter, Fountains carves its own identity with unique mechanics and a richly atmospheric world of secrets, treasures, and challenging battles. It’s a complete package that offers plenty of options and discoveries, making it a strong recommendation for metroidvania and Soulsvania enthusiasts alike.
Additional Information
Release Date: December 20, 2024
Reviewed On: PC. Download code provided by the publisher and PR agency.
Developer: John Pywell
Publisher: John Pywell
Relevant links: Fountains on STEAM
