Review of Beyond Galaxyland.

Initial release date: 2024

Developer: Sam Enright

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Xbox Series X and Series S

Genres: Role-playing video game, Adventure game, Platform game, Strategy video game, Adventure

Publishers: United Label, CI Games

Many gamers of a certain age may recall a favorite RPG from the 1990s. Coming home from school or work and jumping right into these 30-hour-plus epics that covered numerous discs. With games this long, the characters nearly become friends, but there had to be a lot to see and do to keep things exciting.

Beyond Galaxyland pays homage to classic games of the past, but in a more concise form and without the clutter that occasionally came as a byproduct. It retains all of the joy and adventure, though, and proves to be one of the best RPGs this year.

An homage to ancient games.

You play as Doug, and we meet him on his way home one evening. While speaking with his friend Rosie, he walks inside to retrieve his pet guinea pig, Boom Boom. But when he returns outside, she is gone, leaving only her shoe behind. Doug is then approached by a strange man dressed strangely, but it is not until he flees that things begin to get peculiar. He falls down a hole and gets sucked through a portal. The wormhole transports him to an entirely new universe.

Galaxycore manages this bizarre new universe. They claim to be altruistic, and the reason for abducting Doug is that Earth has become the latest victim of The End, a life-destroying smoke cloud. But Doug simply misses his parents and does not necessarily trust Galaxycore. Whether they are right or wrong, there is something fishy about them.

So Doug is determined to return home and find out for himself. Along with a floating robot named MartyBot and, of course, Boom Boom (now a sentient bipedal guinea pig), it is your responsibility to collect Doug the instruments he requires to return home.

But first, he must negotiate a new environment filled with people and charm. Beyond Galaxyland has a traditional RPG format, with party members joining Doug on his quest as he progresses. There are additional supporting cast members who cannot be controlled in battle but are available to assist in other ways. One of these is the enigmatic Malefactor, whose goals are not immediately clear. However, they rely on Doug just as much as he does on them.

Full of Charm

Beyond Galaxyland is a 2.5D sci-fi RPG that focuses on the totality of its elements. That is, while the tale isn’t particularly creative, and the turn-based RPG is undeniably antiquated, it incorporates a slew of additional characteristics that make it a thoroughly engaging game.

And none of the added content makes it bloated. Beyond Galaxyland avoids the clutter and superfluous extensions that many modern games use to run up the clock. Everything from the dungeons to the character interactions is well timed. It’s not a 30-hour RPG, but it doesn’t have to be.

When you’re not looking for power cells and warp drives, Beyond Galaxyland has plenty to see and do. How about a photography session where you may capture images of all the new fauna you discover? Actually, doing so gives you an advantage if you find yourself in conflict with them, as it allows you to view their health and element kind. Furthermore, many adversaries encountered in combat can be captured and utilized as summons to exploit enemy weaknesses. Let’s hope Nintendo doesn’t catch wind of this game as well.

There are also races to compete in, secret characters to unearth, and a wealth of loot to discover. If you find yourself in a platforming area, allow yourself to plummet down to platforms that may not be the best way forward. You will be well rewarded.

Always on the alert for enemies.

However, keep an eye out for potential opponents. Jumping into battle while exploring, assaulting an adversary before they attack you, will result in a significant part of their health being wiped out before the battle even begins.

Even if you can’t always manage it, battle in Beyond Galaxyland isn’t too difficult. The group has access to several fairly cool powers, which can be used if you have enough Ability Points. Regular attacks raise this pool, while misses lower it. However, you can also conclude a turn earlier to accumulate more points.

Furthermore, when confronted with an enemy’s regular attack, timing your defense activation at the appropriate time can drastically lessen the incoming damage. All of this, combined with summons and extremely large XP awards for winning fights, ensures that things never become too dicey.

There are some wonderful locations and worlds to explore, however Beyond Galaxyland’s pixel art approach does not always do these environments credit. The main party character models are a little below average, as are some of the more decorative parts of the settings. The locations you can enter are clearly defined, as are the regions you can go ahead or backwards into. But I had this persistent nagging feeling while playing that practically everything could have been built and designed a little better. And it was a sense that persisted throughout my life.

One of the best RPGs this year.

Looks aside, Beyond Galaxyland is a triumph. It’s a wonderfully paced game with a lot to see and do, yet nothing seems bloated or stretched. The story itself does not break any new ground, but the way it is done, with a big twist halfway through, seems very fresh. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it isn’t afraid to be serious when necessary, so whether you enjoy ’90s turn-based RPGs, Beyond Good & Evil’s photography mode, or games in general, Beyond Galaxyland is a lot of fun.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 78%

Controls: 80%

Aesthetics: 85%

Content: 76%

Accessibility: 79%

Value: 77%

Overall: 79%

GOOD

Summary: “Beyond Galaxyland” transports players on an exciting journey through a vividly conceived cosmos full of exploration and obstacles. The game blends interesting puzzle mechanics with stunning visuals to immerse players in its vibrant worlds. While the gameplay is engaging, some puzzles may grow tedious, and more content could increase replayability. However, with simple controls and a delightful design, “Beyond Galaxyland” remains an appealing option for fans looking for an exciting retreat. Its superb appearance and compelling gameplay provide a pleasant experience, making it a valuable addition to any player’s library.