CARRION

Metroidvania games are pervasive within the Indie scene, but this one stands head and shoulders above the crowd. There are so many with boring movement, platforming, abilities, and bosses. Carrion's unique movement keeps the exploration fun, the thoughful level design creates a memorable flow to the gameplay where you feel like an unstoppable force of nature, and the abililties gained are interesting while improving the fun of combat. This game isn't difficult or too easy. For me, it hit a sweet spot where the challenges don't frustrate you or baby you, just a perfect flow I hadn't felt in a long time. I hope Devolver continues to publish games like this. A short, unique game with no technical issues whatsoever. This is the most fun I had in a long time. My only two minor complaints are the backtracking for the containment chambers and there's no map. Carrion is a bit short which can be a problem for some people but that was a bonus for me since it didn't drag out any segment. I highly recommend this game if you like Metroidvanias and I would recommend it even if you don't like Metroidvanias.

Because that's what I'm getting flashbacks too. Playing as the Aliens in AvP was amazing: an FPS but you had no guns. However, you could use your stealth, mobility and lethal claws to more than make up for that. It was an experience no other game offered. Playing Carrion is similar. Take a stealthy approach, attack in a blast of gore, then disappear again. It really feels like you're some mutant abomination on the prowl. All elements of the game are tuned to build up this experience: the sound design, the set pieces, levels, your abilities, and the UX. Carrion also has some unpolished sides. It's fairly linear and streamliend for a Metroidvania but you can get very much lost. Optional upgrades are not really worth it. You can sometimes softlock yourself. It's not super long or replayable. These faults were easy to overlook for me because the main gameplay was so much fun. I had a blast playing Carrion.

Really enjoyed playing this one - the atmosphere, movement, puzzles, and combat was really fun. I only have two minor complaints - small enough that the 5 stars are well deserved: - no map in-game (you can find interactive maps in the online wiki - using them can be a bit like using the Hollow Knight map without Wayward Compass, though you will probably spoil yourself) - pretty short - I completed the game in just under 7 hours (though for the discount price of 6 EUR, it was well worth it)

I'm an avid horror fan, and love the classics: Alien, The Thing, The Blob, etc. It's very evident the developers do as well. My total time was around 7h, and I echo the thoughts of others that I was a little lost at times, but it was never a deterent. Overall the controls were very smooth, the gameplay was challenging at times and a lot of fun. The soundtrack was also top notch, echoing the 80's monster movies things that loom in the dark. If you're on the fence try the demo. If you like the demo or loved the demo you won't be disappointed with a full purchase!

Pros Play as the villain Gorey Tries to be a metroidvania Combat is punishing and rewards decisive action Gameplay is unique Ending feels like it comes out of a movie Some of the little touches are nice (funny to drop on enemies while they're sitting on the john) Cons Game is too short for its price (feels like a $10 game) Extra upgrades are irrelevant as game is over by the time it's convenient to collect them No final boss to use the extra upgrades on (or any bosses in general) Falls short of the depth of other metroidvanias (which would have given it more playtime) Doesn't appear to have any replay value beyond the simple desire to do it again Judgement: Excellent $10 game, a bit sad it falls short of the potential it has. Bosses and would have served it well.