The Messenger

When I started playing The Messenger, I had a great time with it. Combat & controls are smooth, game looks great, music is good. I played it for about 3 hours until I got to the next section of the game, which is VASTLY different from the first part. In the first, you have your quest and it's a constant battle through different stages, getting upgrades along the way. That part was fantastic. I couldn't stop playing, and was ready to see what else the game offered. Unfortunately, the game turns into a "collect things (I'm calling them things so no spoilers) from around the areas and come back". It feels sort of like a lazy "Hmm, how do we lengthen the game? Let's throw in this part where they go back and collect things!". Now, I am certainly biased. I hate collectibles in games, and I'm not a fan of backtracking. That's just me. If you're into that, go for it. But for me, it feels like work - not fun at all. Overall, I'm pretty happy with what I got out of this game. If it had more of the first part, it would've definitely gotten 4 or maybe even 5 stars. But because a good portion of the game is just going back to the areas and getting things to advance... I might come back and finish this game out, but I just can't really bring myself to keep going around and getting the things. I get bored, and I just want it to be over.

The game is incredible. The gameplay, the mechanics, the bosses (and also their mechanics), and the STORY! Oh boy, the story is absolutely cativating. The story really made me have that "just a little bit more, let's see where this goes" feeling and there is a lot of nice humor and funny lines. I recommend it, BUY IT! It's a masterpiece. 16h of pure fun, guaranteed.

The production quality and tremendous passion put into the gamehad constituted the one of a time, nostalgic, ever playful experience. I don't remember when the last time i had so much fun and joy from a video game.

Difficulty is perfect where you have to make just enough attempts at each level/boss that it feels rewarding once you beat it without spilling over into frustration. Story and writing is excellent with a lot of little jokes and jabs between the characters that fit the game perfectly. Some retro games go so old school that they lose that artistic quality, but graphics in both the 8bit and 16bit portions of this game look gorgeous. Controls where handled much better here than other retro games that lock you in to certain movements. You'll never feel like you died because you couldn't do what you wanted to. Of all of the retro games to come out recently, this is hands down the best.

This right here, this is my personal Game of The Year. The controls are on point, the soundtrack is amazing, the artwork pixel art in perfection, and the humour and story make it all alive. The difficulty curve is at that sweet spot of challenging-but-motivating, although I guess it might be a bit too easy in parts for these oldschool hardcore gamers who ate Battletoads for breakfast. I'm not through yet with the game, even though I already spent many hours on it. I'm usually not a fan of having to go collect certain token in the world, but this game does it in a way that is motivating, challenging and fits into the story. "The Messenger" is a Ninja Gaiden/Shinobi/Sidescroller fighter with a twist - and then some! It's one of those games I will fondly remember a decade from now.