Recs.
Updated
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro Charming, lighthearted storytelling
The tale of Lily and her adventures in the Kingdom of Blossom are told from the point of view of a grandfather who is weaving the story for his grandchildren. Huddled around their grandfather by a roaring fire, they will often interrupt his storytelling to interject a bit of childlike humor or ask questions. While the story of Lily herself is an otherwise a generic fantasy tale, the delivery method of using the dynamic of grandfather and grandchildren is charming, filled with humor, and adds a whole lot of personality.
Pro Gameplay mechanics are presented clearly and are easy to learn
Blossom King gradually introduces puzzle and traps to you in an easy to understand way, and then slowly builds on them over time. This alleviates overly punishing mechanics that can cause frustration while learning the ropes. Whether it's a sliding block puzzle, fireballs you need to dodge, or a locked gate, chances are good that you've already been introduced to the simple version of the mechanic before you encounter the more challenging ones.
For example, there is a certain type of floor tile that will damage you if you stand on them for too long. The first time you encounter it, it will flash red. This alerts you to the danger and gives you time to move. Over the course of the dungeons, these trap tiles will become more and more numerous, but you're already aware of how the mechanic works, so you can overcome them with more confidence. All of the game's various puzzles and traps are handled in a similar way.
Pro Simple but enjoyable gameplay
This game was designed to be a Zelda clone, right down to the pixel art. Running around swinging your sword to smash barrels and hit enemies is simplistic, but gets the job done. You also get a boomerang and bow to attack from range, so there is a little depth to the combat. You can bomb walls to reveal secret passages, talk to NPCs in the overworld, and crawl through a handful of large dungeons. The story is told from the point of view of a grandfather talking to his grandkids, but every once in a while, a dialogue window will pop up which lets you choose the direction the story takes. Overall, the simple gameplay, retro pixel art, and rather large world contribute to a rather enjoyable adventure.