Primal (PS2) Gameplay Sample

I'm glad to see this game has finally gotten to love and recognition it deserves in recent years. When I first covered it as an underrated Gem in 2008, most people didn't have awareness of it's existence, even if it did get some good coverage on a OPM demo disc. It was released in a post-Devil May Cry world where the popular flavor of the day was more action-oriented adventure games.

Primal is a dark, puzzle-heavy action-adventure game who's combat system is unique, but also kind of meh. It was sort of a throwback to 3D game designs from the previous generation, and was misunderstood, and judged heavily by the DMC standards of it's day. The puzzle-heavy focus was a no-no when this game hit, and mainstream gaming outlets gave it mediocre to decent reviews. In hindsight, I'm guessing the "gaming journalists" at the time just couldn't beat the game. Lol.

Post standards of it's day, and judged on it's own merits, the game has aged well. Not everything with it is perfect, the combat system, some of the controls, and the slow pacing might be a turn off to most, but overall, it has a great atmosphere, well designed and thought out levels with a good puzzle focus, great graphics by 2 standards (480p and widescreen supported), an engaging storyline, and the entire package comes together to form one of my favorite alternative kinds of games on the 2. Not following trends of it's day, or trying to set new trends that didn't stick still make Primal worth playing for games with the flavor of puzzle-heavy, slower, dark adventures. I've always been a big fan of this game.

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