Ever since the 16-bit days I’ve been a real fan of a good old top-down action adventure. To be certain, it’s hard to beat the likes of the classic Link to the Past, but the SNES era was ripe with all sorts of great adventures in that vein. Playing as the unlikely hero Nia, a frustrated teen who has been transplanted from her bigger-city life to live on a pretty remote island, you’ll need to embark on a quest to save everyone from a watery fate.

There’s no question that, for the most part, the trappings of this style of game are familiar, and it seems the developers have chosen the path of not trying to fix what isn’t inherently broken. That isn’t to say that it doesn’t have a sense of humor and general style all its own, but you’ll find that everything from the game’s combat on down to its puzzle-oriented “dungeon areas” are all pretty true to traditional expectations. Thankfully, another staple is also very present, and that’s a host of hidden heart containers and other elements you’ll need to better shore up your chances of ultimate success. Considering the fact that the final boss can be pretty intimidating, you’ll want to get all the help you can find.

What helps the game stand out and shine a little more is its general sense of humor, some of its more creative boss fights, and just plain quirky nature overall. It manages to be familiar and yet still distinct, I think striking a better balance between exploration, reasonably-good combat, and puzzle-solving while many of its contemporaries have tended to focus more heavily in one direction or another. I would say that your makeshift hockey stick as a weapon could use a little more range and oomph, but it does at least manage to get the job done. While it may not feel entirely fresh in its approach, it’s still a good time, plays well, and is satisfying to throw some decent hours into.