Hylics – Straightforward gameplay/absolute chaos everything else

It’s a game in itself to try and describe Hylics.

Hylics is an rpg maker game created by Mason Lindroth in 2015. It has the most basic controls and gameplay you could imagine while still being a blast. Everything else is weird as hell, it’s like the essence of 80’s and 90’s MTV transmuted into a video game. But it’s weirdness is not a bad thing at all mind you: Its Hylics’ defining strength. There is far more to praise about Hylics then there is to criticize it.

You take on the role of Wayne; a rather zooted looking fellow that has a crescent for a head. Wayne kinda creeps me out – I can’t read his thousand yard expression. He could be angry, dead or disassociated into oblivion at the moment and I could never tell. Wayne is also a guy of very few words, meaning there’s minimal insight into his personality if at all.

Wayne accompanies three others by the names of Dedusmuln, Snomsosa and Pongorma. I love the names in Hylics, they’re products of someone whose a genius at making silly names – which – you see plenty of in this game. A lot of the names and descriptive text are randomly generated each playthrough. I can see a funny situation where two people are talking about the same place in game, but coming up with two different names.

The artstyle is in a league of its own.

The games art style is incredibly unique. It’s dream like environments shift and change with every area you visit. The pastel claymation hearkens back to Earthworm Jim and The Neverhood. Earthbound is an clear comparison, but that goes without saying. Earthbound is an ancestor to all menu based RPGs. It should be said that Hylics goes above and beyond to cement its own individuality.

There were plenty of times during my first playthrough that I was excited to try and make sense of the world. I never knew what to expect; the game keeps you in a constant state of off-kilter delirium.

The characters of Hylics scream style – but somewhat lack presence

The character designs are of the same dreamlike claymation style that makes up the environments. They both fit right in yet also stick out due to expert use of color and organic shapes.

That being said, the four main characters don’t have much in the way of personality. They have their moments, mostly when they’re about to join you. But they – like You and Wayne – are simply compelled to take this dizzy, almost uncomfortable ride.

I suppose you get what you need as far as characterization. I may want these characters to express themselves more for the chance to make the world open up more. Hylics immersed me into an alien world that couldn’t show me enough of itself.

The characters act in a human enough way. They eat hotdogs and throw parties- the main characters are even their own band. I think this helps the world feel even more strange, you feel like they are just as confused as you are – the only difference is they have adapted.

Also, just headcannon, but I feel like Hylics takes place on a really hot day. Imagining these characters traveling in those suits out in the middle of a summer day adds to that uncomfortableness I mentioned.

Hylics has a great balance between fun and ease of play

The gameplay is about as basic as it gets. You spam whatever you need to at the moment until the enemy dies. The silly naming patterns continue with the spells and items you get. “Ablative Holopleather” is the starting healing spell, while “Deutoplasm” is your elixir. I have no idea how these names were chosen, but I love that I had to look up some of these words to reason out how or why they do what they do.

The animations for the attacks are a delight. They’re simple live action hand gestures that are usually about playing with some doodad to cast a spell. Black Flame in particular has a great guitar jingle to it as well a cryptic, fiery rune that unfolds on screen. All these different sound effects, grand names and hand gestures make each spell an event of their own. Everything you toss at your opponent or your team feels like it has weight and will change the battle in some way. There is no boring action to take in Hylics.

The basic attack being a snap of the fingers is the cherry on top. As said, the spells are exciting and have impact, but finger snapping at your opponent adds a funny context to the situation. It paints a picture of a group of weirdos flaunting and dancing in a ritual; hoping to lull the other party into a psychosomatic death.

Hylic’s OST proves that music does not have to be technically perfect to sound great.

The music of Hylics is phenomenal. It’s this grungy warped mix of wailing guitars and bass lines that stay whimsical but absolutely slap when the time comes. I try to prolong fights as long as possible to enjoy the battle and boss themes especially. What is exceptionally charming is that much of the music is off key. The notes of a particular song will stumble and fall out of place as if the artist doesn’t know how to play the instrument.

This is untrue however- the off key notes add a pleasant organic feel to the music. If everything else about Hylics is weird – why would the music be any different? It fits so well – I couldn’t imagine the final boss’s theme without these hiccups being present. It helps the song tell a story about a struggle for control and a suppression of happiness.

Hylics is fantastic – I could recommend it to anyone

Please give Hylics a try. Its a wonderful experience to go through at least once or twice. Its easy to start and maintains a pleasant pace throughout. The art and character design are a masterclass in creativity, with the music being a groovy ride itself. There is the sequel of course, and I can’t wait to go through it soon. I hope the afterlife still has a couch I can crash on.

Final Note: “Ablative” can mean under or over, while Holopleather is a type of shiny cloth. Being the basic healing spell that also casts guard – are the characters just repairing their clothes?