So, because the first 3 games in the series aren't on IMDb, here is a quick summary of my opinion on them:
Momodora I is a simple game with solid graphics brought down a lot by awkward controls with no way to rebind keys, and dull, straightforward, frustrating game design that isn't especially fun to get through. 4/10
Momodora II is a massive step up, the world is well designed, it's fun to explore and the graphics are even better than before. Unfortunately the controls are just awkward, and there are still no way to rebind the keys. 7/10
Momodora III finally let you rebind the keys, which made the game feel much smoother to play. The level design is also great, and while I generally prefer exploration to linearity, it's done well enough here to make it enjoyable. The game is unfortunately both way too short and way too easy, especially once you get the Ceremonial Fabric. Still, it's pretty good. 7/10
And that brings us here, to game number 4 in this series. In many ways this game is a natural progression of the things the previous games set up. The graphics are better looking than ever, and the gameplay is the most sophisticated this series has ever seen. The gameplay loop of killing enemies, getting money and acquiring new items is satisfying, and the bossfights are solid. I also like the score, and the sound design is alright as well.
Unfortunately, this game also has A LOT of small annoyances, and while none of them are game-ruining, together they bring the game down by quite a bit. Firstly, the map could use a big revamp, on multiple levels. Not only does it feel very linear at times, the map screen itself is too bland to give any useful information. Second of all, and this is VERY annoying: Not every dead end has a checkpoint. And seeing as how all progress is lost upon death, it means you have to go both forth and back to save your progress. Another issue is how doing the standard sword combo moves Kaho a little bit forward. This isn't a problem against normal enemies, since they can be flinched and pushed. The bosses can't, however, and since several of them deal contact damage, it's essentially impossible to do combos against them without being hit from your own momentum. I also severely dislike some enemies, like the ball-shooting ladies, they are way too quick and annoying, and you can't see their projectiles half the time.
These aren't big complaints, I still enjoyed the game as a whole. There was just too much frustrating stuff to make me rate it any higher. I think Momodora II is the best in the series, and probably the one I'll replay the most.
Momodora I is a simple game with solid graphics brought down a lot by awkward controls with no way to rebind keys, and dull, straightforward, frustrating game design that isn't especially fun to get through. 4/10
Momodora II is a massive step up, the world is well designed, it's fun to explore and the graphics are even better than before. Unfortunately the controls are just awkward, and there are still no way to rebind the keys. 7/10
Momodora III finally let you rebind the keys, which made the game feel much smoother to play. The level design is also great, and while I generally prefer exploration to linearity, it's done well enough here to make it enjoyable. The game is unfortunately both way too short and way too easy, especially once you get the Ceremonial Fabric. Still, it's pretty good. 7/10
And that brings us here, to game number 4 in this series. In many ways this game is a natural progression of the things the previous games set up. The graphics are better looking than ever, and the gameplay is the most sophisticated this series has ever seen. The gameplay loop of killing enemies, getting money and acquiring new items is satisfying, and the bossfights are solid. I also like the score, and the sound design is alright as well.
Unfortunately, this game also has A LOT of small annoyances, and while none of them are game-ruining, together they bring the game down by quite a bit. Firstly, the map could use a big revamp, on multiple levels. Not only does it feel very linear at times, the map screen itself is too bland to give any useful information. Second of all, and this is VERY annoying: Not every dead end has a checkpoint. And seeing as how all progress is lost upon death, it means you have to go both forth and back to save your progress. Another issue is how doing the standard sword combo moves Kaho a little bit forward. This isn't a problem against normal enemies, since they can be flinched and pushed. The bosses can't, however, and since several of them deal contact damage, it's essentially impossible to do combos against them without being hit from your own momentum. I also severely dislike some enemies, like the ball-shooting ladies, they are way too quick and annoying, and you can't see their projectiles half the time.
These aren't big complaints, I still enjoyed the game as a whole. There was just too much frustrating stuff to make me rate it any higher. I think Momodora II is the best in the series, and probably the one I'll replay the most.