The Messenger

As the title say, this game is incredible

The music is nice, the whole "run-jump-climb walls-beat up monsters" thing is nostalgic. The "run-jump-climb-in-exactly-the-right-spot-and-time-or-you-die-and-get-back-to-last-checkpoint" thing is neither. What I really disliked, though, was the constant "break-the-fourth-wall" humour. It's popular, and I've always hated it.

Pretty much instantly my favourite game of the last decade. Movement feels amazing, responsive and rewarding once you get the timings right. Some people complain about this game not really being a metroidvania, and I see how they reached that argument, but I think it's just taking a different approach and hence is not exactly and clearly similar to what most people would file under the term. It does have metroidvanian elements, but I would say it is definitely an action platformer first and a metroidvania second, and it is pretty clear that it doesn't really aspire to be the latter. Long story short, if you are looking for a classic metroidvania, this might not be all too well suited for you. Think of it more like mega-man or shovel knight, where the emphasis is movement, platforming and becoming good with the controls. And it feels really good if you get good. Also featuring a banger soundtrack, great humour, and fantastic art! Also, you get a lot of bang for your buck! Plus, if you tend to be a person like me, that rather replays a fantastic game than play some half-backed garbage to satisfy an itch, then this game is definitely for you. This game scratches that mega-man/shovel knight itch and without realising leaves one for itself which you will feel regularly. The game is so amazing, it regularly drags me away from other games (which are also good), because this game is just so well done. Difficulty is not really an issue. In general, bosses are too easy if you replay the game, but they at least provide an adequate challenge, mostly, for first time players. 100% recommendation, hands down, only the caveat above for metroidvania-seekers. Makes grandfather Ninji proud.

Strong 2. The game is decent but unpolished and with many questionable design decisions. Some platforming sections are fun, as are the boss fights. It just doesn't make up for the other extended parts of tedious repetition. Stages are too long and 70% of the rooms are similar to identical in how you approach them. Combat is not fun enough for it to remain fresh. Neither is it very varied. Few enemy types and no variety with attacks or weapons either. Barely any new mechanics are introduced. I found myself playing on despite of that but stopped after spending some time one the tower of time, which was incredibly annoying. I felt like I made good progress but just felt bored and like not playing. Felt kind of cheap with these annoying lasers and spikes everywhere as the game really slowed down a lot and became restrictive. You have to stand around and wait for platforms to cover lasers, playforms with spikes to move here or there etc. And just one mistake or slip on the often overly sensitive controls has you restarting from the checkpoint to wait around again. It felt more like a chore. I am not a big fan of that in platformers, as I mostly play them for fun. I don't mind difficulty but neither to I get a sense of fulfillment from clearing a difficult room. It has to be fun/interesting/whatever besides from being difficult. Asked for a refund after googling a bit and realising that soon the game would turn into a subpar metroidvania with constant fetch quests.

Very fun. Did not think it would be so good.