As of writing this review I have yet to beat the game, just wanted to say that from the start. Now what caught my eye when I saw this game was the artwork/graphics, which are really astounding. The music is also very good but for me personally the artwork/graphics are really the big pull here. Now something that baffles me is that so many PC games make games that really works best with a controller, and this is one of them. When the game as the first ting says "controller highly recommended" they mean it. One of the main reason I havn't played it to the end is because I am playing it with a keyboard, Its not horrible but certianly not good either at least for me. Something I also personally disliked is that all the map features are put behind a shop where all of them are fairly expensive for something that really should be given on the map from the start. Like seeing where shops are, save point and so on. Even knowing where you are on the map is something you have to pay for, and that is the most expensive one (WHY). While it does not take hours to grind up the money it certrainly take too long. Now gameplay wise its fairly sandard metroidvania, if you have played Castlevania or Metroid you know what you are getting into. Items and other such things that are hidden/not accessible until you get certain power ups/upgrades etc. The game does it quite well and its enjoyable, but at the same time dosn't break any huge norms in this genre. For better or for worse bepending on how you look at it. For this reason and for the others mentiond early I give the game a solid 3 and I am sure that if you play it with a controller it could easily be a 4.
Way of the Red is by no means a bad game, in fact it does many things very well. The dialogue is decently written it can however be a little cheesy at times, though it does not take itself too seriously so it works out. Gameplay is very simple in the beginning but once you get your weapon and the dash it gets more interesting. My two big grips with the game however is the decision to map the climb and jump to the same button which makes some sections very awkward, I believe that this could be improved with a controller but with the keyboard its slightly weird. My second grip is the games lack of checkpoints, in the beginning especially its very frustrating having to do large sections of a new area then die and realize the last checkpoint was 4-5 screens back. Other then that though there are a few small things I personally find annoying but nothing worth mentioning here. The graphics of course have the usual charm that pixel games have and if you like that art style this game will be something for you, the music is also pretty good and was the thing that kept me playing though the frustrating bits. As the Title says Way of the Red is by no means bad, but it could be a lot more in my opinion.
