I really enjoy the atmosphere in this game. It feels very retro. There's something about it that reminds me of the original Prince of Persia. Visually and thematically, it’s a classic metroidvania with lots to explore, unlock, and discover, with distinct biomes and creatures unique to each area. It’s definitely on the shorter side for the genre. You can 100% it in under 10 hours. It's also one of the easier games out there. You can beat all of the bosses on the first attempt and even if you don't, it's not really a problem, since there are no run backs and you don't lose anything on death. The combat system is solid, though the movement and physics feel a bit rough. Later in the game you get a hook attachment that lets you swing between designated anchor points, and multiple platforming sections rely on it. Unfortunately, it feels somewhat janky, and I wish the design around it were tighter. I also ran into a fair number of bugs. Nothing game-breaking, but still noticeable and a bit irritating. Overall, it’s a decent little metroidvania. It is quite enjoyable if you can look past some jank and the less-than-perfect movement.
It’s hard to give this game a straightforward rating. On one hand, the world is beautifully crafted, full of life, and rewarding to explore. The visuals, sound design, and music come together to create a unique atmosphere and gaming experience. On the other hand, the game often gets infuriatingly frustrating. The gitgud recipe ain't helping here. It's the kind of "difficulty" where you need to predict a death trap. It's the kind of "difficulty" where you're gonna get bounced around by random projectiles straight into a spike pit. It's the kind of "difficulty" where you need to run back to a boss encounter, repeating a platforming sequence ad nauseam. Not exactly fun or challenging. Just frustrating. The tool system is another mixed bag. Tools require a currency to restock. What this does is it discourages using the tools unless you want to grind shards. It’s hard to experiment when every use has a cost. There’s a lot to love here, but a few design choices hold it back from being as enjoyable as it could be. I can't bring myself to rate it 4/5, but I simply wouldn't recommend this game to somebody new to metroidvanias or someone who just wants to have a little bit of fun after work, because every now and again this game starts feeling like work or a chore.
