Aesthetically, this game is an absolute masterclass. It has some of the best pixel art and gore I've ever seen, and the cutscenes and voice acting are gorgeous.
This is one of the most prominent attempts to blend Metroidvania and Souls-like elements, and it can be a bit frustrating. The critical path is revealed more through defeating bosses, like a Souls-like, and it has a similar level of obfuscation. I tend to prefer Metroidvanias that are a bit more clear on the path forward. In this game I had to look up how to access an area to finish the game, because I'd accidentally and unknowingly been bashing my head against a DLC area instead of the intended path. In addition, the puzzles are a bit too obtuse for my tastes. This is one of the few games that I've played where I decided not to do a sidequest after looking up its solution, simply out of a desire to say "fuck it, I'm not doing all of that."
I finished this game because I loved the art and the rhythm of the gameplay a lot. I just wish I hadn't wasted so much time futilely searching for what I was supposed to do.
This is one of the most prominent attempts to blend Metroidvania and Souls-like elements, and it can be a bit frustrating. The critical path is revealed more through defeating bosses, like a Souls-like, and it has a similar level of obfuscation. I tend to prefer Metroidvanias that are a bit more clear on the path forward. In this game I had to look up how to access an area to finish the game, because I'd accidentally and unknowingly been bashing my head against a DLC area instead of the intended path. In addition, the puzzles are a bit too obtuse for my tastes. This is one of the few games that I've played where I decided not to do a sidequest after looking up its solution, simply out of a desire to say "fuck it, I'm not doing all of that."
I finished this game because I loved the art and the rhythm of the gameplay a lot. I just wish I hadn't wasted so much time futilely searching for what I was supposed to do.