really fun run’n’gun stuff and an actually unique take on the usual evil empire story. it’s a little unfocused, a little rambling, but the setting is so captivating and the narrative twists so dark that I didnt mind.

One big thing lets Iconoclasts down: the customization. It’s a metroidvania where you collect materials to unlock upgrades and new abilities. That’s all you can collect - no costumes, no lore stuff - and it’s mostly useless. The upgrades are minor and go away when you take damage fast, and you take damage very fast.

Halfway through the game I just decided to ignore them. But they’re everywhere, and collecting them is a big part of the game - such a big part that I continually felt stupid for not using them. And collecting them IS fun - until you open the chest.

It feels like a nit-pick, but for me it just threw me off the whole Metroidvania rhythm.