Metroidvania Genre Game Reviews

Anunciada descending from on high to address the Penitent One in Blasphemous 2
Review

Blasphemous 2 Review - Second Verse

The original Blasphemous was a gorgeous, richly detailed Metroidvania full of labyrinthine pathways to explore and grotesque religious imagery to make even the most determined atheist feel like…

August 17, 2023 | 08:46 EDT

The main character facing down a gargoyle in the Elderand key art
Review

Elderand Review

Not every game can change the world. It's the fate of some games simply to offer an experience that's "good enough", one that may never challenge the kings of its genre for their thrones but which…

February 16, 2023 | 09:00 EST

A spread-shot cover of The Knight Witch, showcasing main character Rayne posing on the left side, and the game name on the right side.

The Knight Witch Review

The thing about the bullet hell sub-genre of shmups is that it operates on a tried-and-true rule of “if it ain’t broke, don’t break it”. These are titles that have seen endless exercises in skill-…

November 28, 2022 | 08:00 EST

Ghost Song
Review

Ghost Song Review

The Metroidvania style of game is one of the oldest, but it's also one of the trickiest. It has to be structured in such a way as to avoid tedium while still providing a nice degree of challenge.…

November 1, 2022 | 01:08 EDT

The game's title in front of a red planet
Review

Metroid Dread Review

When I finally hit the credits of Metroid Dread, I was filled with a sense of triumph I have not had in a long while. This was the first mainline 2D Metroid experience we have gotten in almost two…

October 17, 2021 | 12:00 EDT

Shinsekai: Into The Depths Review
Review

Shinsekai: Into The Depths Review

There's something sort of harrowing about the bottom of the sea. Maybe it's the unknowable life forms or the darkness. Maybe it's the thought of millions of tons of water crushing your bones into a…

April 6, 2020 | 01:00 EDT

Ori And The Will Of The Wisps Review
Review

Ori And The Will Of The Wisps Review

Legendary film critic Roger Ebert once famously opined that video games couldn't be art. Ebert later backtracked on this statement to a certain degree, but the cat had truly been set among the…

March 15, 2020 | 05:44 EDT

Blasphemous Review Header
Review

Blasphemous Review

As a franchise, Dark Souls had a huge impact on the gaming industry, to the point that “souls-like” is now regarded as its own genre. As often happens in situations like these, many following games…

September 29, 2019 | 09:48 EDT

mable and the wood review header
Review

Mable & The Wood Review

Earlier this year, I took a quick look brief glance at an early build of Mable and The Wood, a new game from Andrew Stewart at Triplevision Games. I found the core mechanics of the game fascinating,…

August 23, 2019 | 04:01 EDT

bloodstained ritual of the night review header
Review

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Review - Iga To Please

As I was playing Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, I found myself humming one of composer Michiru Yamane's songs. Yamane has a gift for music that's both catchy and atmospheric; she's soundtracked…

June 27, 2019 | 12:30 EDT

dead cells review header
Review

Dead Cells Review

A clump of undetermined green mass drops from the ceiling. It merges with a headless body lying on the ground, after which a lady in armor tells you that you can't die and that things have gone quite…

August 6, 2018 | 05:57 EDT

yoku's island express review header also
Review

Yoku's Island Express Review - Multiball Madness

The pinball adventure is a small but enticing category of games. Every time something like Mario Pinball Land or Rollers of the Realm comes out, I want to like it. I give myself over and wait to be…

July 5, 2018 | 02:00 EDT

The Mummy Demastered
Review

The Mummy Demastered Review - Gods and Monsters

Universal’s “Dark Universe” is just the latest in a slew of shared continuities between popular film franchises, following in the footsteps of modern day Marvel movies by producing action packed, B-…

October 24, 2017 | 02:00 EDT

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Review

Sundered Review - Resist or Embrace

While playing Jotun, one thought that crosses the mind is “Man, these guys really have this aesthetic thing figured out”.  After finishing that game, it was clear that the developers at Thunder Lotus…

July 29, 2017 | 11:00 EDT

saltandsanctuary
Review

Salt and Sanctuary Review - Born of Souls

I've been reviewing Salt and Sanctuary for the Playstation Vita for a while. Those who read my First Impressions will know that I stopped playing for about a month because of bugs and crashes. I'm…

May 12, 2017 | 11:00 EDT

Momodora Header
Review

Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight Review - Harmony of Dissonance

The Momodora series is simultaneously delicious and frustrating. The three original games feature some of the richest sprite art in indie games alongside smooth, lightning-quick gameplay. At the same…

March 30, 2017 | 09:00 EDT

Alwa's Awakening Title
Review

Alwa's Awakening Review - 99 Blue Orbs

It is a long-held belief of mine that Metroidvanias are the best video game genre because of the immense gratification they give to players. They are natural underdog stories that start you off weak…

March 1, 2017 | 09:00 EST