Depths of Sanity
I was introduced to Depths of Sanity at PAX East in 2018, and tried it twice more at two more PAXes prior to this early access release. The handful of devs I spoke with made their inspirations and intentions very clear with their game, and I was immediately interested. They also gave me a couple of small plush sea creatures. :D I saw no issue picking up the game as soon as it was available.
For those unfamiliar, DoS is a metroidvania set in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, and tells the story of oceanographer Abe Douglas. Following an event known as “the bloop”, a real-life event involving an ultra-low frequency subsonic vibration, the crew of the submarine Baroness are sent to investigate, and subsequently disappear with only garbled distress calls for clues. Abe, who personally assembled that team, including his own son Clay, feels personally responsible for the situation and takes an armed, one-man submersible to investigate. What he finds and learns from the Baroness' crew logs defies his understanding of the world and history in ways that might feel very familiar to certain fans like myself.
– Real player with 19.4 hrs in game
Read More: Best Metroidvania Submarine Games.
While this game is in early development, I have to say it was fun to experience! Too bad I finished all three available chapters st the moment. It is hard to put the game down since it really hooks you in. I’m surprised it isn’t more known. I really hope this game continues it’s development because I genuinely enjoyed playing it. So please keep up the good work and for the viewers of this comment, please give the developers your support in any way you can!
– Real player with 7.8 hrs in game
Paradox Vector
The most exciting and admirable aspect of Paradox Vector is unquestionably the art design, which is not only unique, but a true joy to look at. All the colors and shapes build up a very stylized, but beautiful environment which is exciting to explore to the last detail.
Apart from that, many other aspects of the game may or may not cause… 𝘮𝘪𝘹𝘦𝘥 feelings in certain players - depending on their gaming taste or temperament - like the enemy AI, the layout of the levels, the sometimes unbalanced difficulty, the sharp contrast between the first and second half of the game, etc. But even with the hit and miss parts, I think Paradox Vector is still worth to play. Recalls many great and interesting aspects of old (FPS) games combining with a truly unique aesthetic.
– Real player with 11.6 hrs in game
Read More: Best Metroidvania Retro Games.
I’m not too far into Paradox Vector but I’m very much enjoying the old school vibe of the game. Think 80s Tron combined with a prison-labyrinth setting. The game has proved quite challenging due to HP restores being limited, however the dev has noted this and adding some extra nodes to make the game a bit less daunting at the start. (Even though I died a lot, I actually enjoyed how punishing it felt, reminded me of the good old days)
There’s no real soundtrack to the game from what I’ve encountered, but the creepy ambience adds to the atmosphere. It actually surprised me with how many jump scares it’s given me. Prepare for plenty of brain-bending areas that will play tricks on your mind as you try to navigate your surroundings.
– Real player with 7.0 hrs in game
Kharon’s Crypt - Even Death May Die
This game is genuinely good and deserves all the attention. Whether you’re an old-school lover or you’re new to the genre and style, this game will surprise you. The team has worked very hard on the game and the result is a good game.
It will be out of early access when the devs are sure there are no catastrophic bugs or crashes. It will also come out on Switch!
The game itself is very inspired in old gameboy dungeon crawler titles and while it might feel difficult at first glance once you get used to the mechanics and controls it’s not that difficult. I believe everyone should give it an honest try!
– Real player with 50.8 hrs in game
Read More: Best Metroidvania Souls-like Games.
The game is really fun and challenging, the music is awesome and it gives og the perfect vibe. The lore is suprisingly detailed and it’s worth reading it all.
! I think it’s a little funny, that you see a cute slime, and then the necronomicon says it’s human pulp.
– Real player with 40.0 hrs in game
Sundered®: Eldritch Edition
After a few day’s worth of playtime on this game, I feel like I’d like to toss in my two cents on it. By two cents, I should clarify that I mean many paragraphs. this review will not be short, and I apologise. Sundered, on the whole, is a good game. There are several elements that merit critique in my eyes, though they didn’t detract from the game so much as to merit a negative review. With that out of the way, let’s dive in to some thoughts and ramblings.
Firstly, I should say also that this game has quickly become one of my all time favorites. The atmosphere, the artwork, the enemy design and storytelling all are favorites of mine, and I think they’re exceedingly clever and engaging. However, even when you take away my biased opinions, the game stands up to scrutiny, with well designed gameplay and mechanics (as well as story and the other previously mentioned aspects).
– Real player with 82.7 hrs in game
Well, you can tell by my hours of gameplay that I really enjoyed this game and got the most out of it, even the bad out of it.
The harshness of the reviews left me really unsure, in the first few minutes, no matter how much I was enjoying, the game design made me fear for what people have said, so let me clarify a few things.
TL:DR
Great game, very challenging, beautiful animation, exploration is rewarded, so is proper strategy (Change your routes and upgrade luck early, please). The randomness is not unfair, it is not unfair, your skills matter. Bosses are great, minibosses often suck. The major flaw is making the “good” path so poor, but the rest is brillant. If you want to have 1 run and the best experience, I’d say “Put the hardest difficulty and fully embrace”
– Real player with 58.2 hrs in game
Elderand
The game has a heavy focus on skill-based combat, which means reckless explorers will be punished time after time. Do not fear, as your timing and positioning will improve once you find your battle style.
Choose a look that suits you best with character customization options that allow for varying skin tones, hairstyles and colors.
Become the most powerful warrior by leveling up your character’s attack, magic, and other stats to take on the unforgiving beasts of the land.
Discover, buy, and collect a myriad of items, including unique relics, potions, weapons and shields. Bargain with shopkeepers to gather even more loot and upgrade your character.
Journey to distinct lands filled with ancient mysteries to unravel. Slay lethal creatures, find hidden passages, and befriend strangers from the Errant Breach to Omulore. While forging your path through the world, remember one thing, curiosity is your greatest ally.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1413660/Elderand/
Lore Finder
Become K.C. Morgan, paranormal investigator, and search a New England mansion for your missing father. Battle the forces of corruption infesting the mansion armed only with your wits and an old .38 revolver, and gather scrolls of forbidden lore. But the more you discover, the more warped and twisted the world – and you – become.
Uncover the story of Lore Finder, a 2D metroidvania and a modern queer reimagining of the cosmic horror genre.
Features
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Traverse a changing world: Individual rooms will transform and hold new surprises as you accumulate powers.
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Find your own path: Non-linear design encourages freeform, exploration-based, and self-directed progression. Complete sections of the game in what order you like.
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Experience atmosphere: From the dark and oppressive living areas, to the impersonal basement with its cold steel and mortar, to the dank caverns that lie even further below.
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Accumulate forbidden powers: Embrace your own corruption, fight fire with fire, and wield dark powers against their own progenitors.
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Face climactic terrors: Within the mansion dwell dangers of elevated strength and influence, often guarding crucial ways and powers.
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Uncover a family’s corruption: Experience the result of the restless emotions of the mansion’s formerly human inhabitants expressed through an eldritch power, from the anxiety of a frustrated would-be scientist to the isolation and anguish of a child unloved.
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Piece together past events: Explore and find scattered evidence of the inhabitants' otherworldly transformation through journal entries and memory-stained objects.
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Girlfriend mode: Beat the game to unlock this mode, allowing you to play as K.C.’s girlfriend, with all new powers and story.
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Speedrun mode: The speedrun mode offers a built-in timer and will streamline play experience for speedrunners.
Background
Lore Finder is a modern queer reimagining of the cosmic horror genre, taking influences from the various games and literary works in the genre first inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, set in the latter half of the 20th century. It is the story of K.C. Morgan (a non-binary character) who is a Private Investigator turned Paranormal Investigator after the disappearance of their father, Richard Morgan, a professor and researcher at Boston University. Eventually, their search takes them to a mansion owned by the Wright family on an island off the New England Coast.
Once there K.C. discovers that the residents and staff have been horribly corrupted by some twisted occult influence, the only clues as to their fate, and the fate of their father seems to be found within scrolls, written on human skin, filled with dark forbidden lore so terrible that it may rend the very fabric of reality itself.
Matters become even more disturbing once K.C. begins to explore the basement. Evidence of terrible, inhuman experiments lie discarded next to twisted bodies and implements of torture.
Alone, and facing terror, madness, and corruption, not only all around them, but also within their very soul, K.C. must work their way through the mansion, risking death, madness or worse in an attempt to uncover what happened to the inhabitants of the mansion, and their father.
Skautfold: Usurper
9/10 Game for decent price, must love Metroidvania’s with a mix of Dark Souls though. It is definitely one of my favourite games this year so far (more than Farcry 5 by a long way BTW.
First, this game wont be for everyone, it doesnt play exactly like most games but if you obey the mechanics, you’ll be fine.
GRAPHICS:
It’s pixel art, the resolution isnt great but it is intentionally pixels, it will never be photoreal, and where it isnt as slick as some other games that are 2D titles, the graphics are perfectly great for the game. Some of the art is a bit weird or kind of simplistic, but it is seemingly quite intentional. There is also very big old school castlevania style influences.
– Real player with 47.8 hrs in game
I don’t think I’ve ever been more split on a game in my life. I’m a huge metroid-like and lovecraft fan, plus i just got off the amazing rollercoaster ride that was Sundered so I thought Usurper would be a great continuation of the recent trend of Metroid and Cthulhu. Unfortunetly this game isdeath by a thousand cuts.
The good. The best part of Usurper is the atmosphere, it drips with lovecraftian ooze. I love it. The sprite work is perfect and most animations are very smooth (I’ll come back to that). Every enemy and character looks great either as their sprite design or as their art portrait. The music is good especially the Cathedral. The Guard system is unique and very preferable to just stamina. Reflecting projectiles is especially fun. The pet system is hella cool as well.
– Real player with 39.3 hrs in game
Marrow
Incredibly good game that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. 100%‘ing it was a treat.
First of all though let me just say that this game is difficult. No my friends, you don’t seem to understand so let me repeat that just so we’re clear. This game is really fucking difficult. I imagine the vast majority of people will struggle immensely with it so if you’re a casual player in general then I honestly just don’t see you making any progress what so ever.
That difficulty though is a breath of fresh air to me and it does wonders for sticking with the games theme. That theme is that you’re not some super hero that finds a few upgrades and then steamrolls through the rest of the game. You’ll never get to the point of being overpowered, you’ll always feel that you can die and that’s how it should be for this type of setting. The dev himself said it best, monsters are not there for you to grind on or to farm for item drops, they’re there to kill you and nothing more.
– Real player with 63.2 hrs in game
Quite a hidden gem. The fantastic and creepy artstyle drew me in, and the challenging gameplay kept me hooked until the end. The difficulty is no joke, the game really is brutally difficult and many of it’s secrets are well hidden behind cryptic puzzles. At times it can even feel almost unfair against the player, but usually that is because player has missed some key item or strategy. Player is required to keep careful eye on his surroundings, as very minor detail can be a clue to solving a problem and progressing further. I also really liked the soundtrack. It really fits well the game’s atmosphere.
– Real player with 38.6 hrs in game
RAIN IN THE ABYSS
A terrible ancestral prophecy has unleashed total drought in the sacred lands of Huapalli, leaving its inhabitants without water and on the verge of extinction.
Nuez is the only descendant of a marginalized tribe that does not need water to survive, she is the only one who can bring life back to her lands before it is too late.
Enter the beautiful and terrifying world of the abyss that protects a sacred ancestral object. Destroy every life form that is a threat, at long range with your crossbow or tearing your enemies with your bare hands. Search for minerals, food, and items to craft artifacts that give you an edge over your ruthless enemies and battle colossal bosses willing to annihilate you.
Explore a vast and beautiful world: Discover an incredible world full of dangerous enemies and poisonous plants that inhabit the abyss.
Combinable Combat: Destroy your enemies with the power of your crossbow, a sacred weapon created by your tribe. Create devastating new ammo for your weapon and unlock special moves for Nuez tail that will give you the agility and power to achieve your goal.
Executions: Release your anger by tearing your enemies apart in a bloody way with carefully animated executions.
Customize your game mode: Discover and equip yourself with amulets, which will completely change the way you play, acquiring skills that allow you to overcome areas without being seen or destroying everything in your path. Try different combinations to find one that fits your style of play.
Unforgettable battles against colossal bosses: Face impressive colossal bosses animated in pixel art.
Discover unimaginable areas of the abyss: A world of constant rain full of beauty, magic, horror and sadness. You will find really charming, disconcerting and mysterious characters that could help you, or maybe not. An epic unique and unforgettable adventure that will touch each of your emotions.
Source of Madness
I’ve finished all of the current content, so I think I’m in a good position to critique the game as it is currently. Overall, this game is a real gem. I’m a fan of Lovecraftian-styled games along with rogues and sidescrollers, so this game is perfect for me. The character movement and combat starts out sluggish, but once you unlock some more dashes the pace becomes faster. The developers have already addressed this in an update today that bumped up the character movement, among other improvements. However it’s still a game that favors defense, and the bullet-sponge nature of the enemies is my biggest criticism. At times it can borderline on ridiculous. Also, the second level of Act 1 feels way too long, and in my opinion, doesn’t earn its length.
– Real player with 17.4 hrs in game
Right now, I’m coming off of a sugar rush like feeling after playing 5 hours of this game. In its current state the game is fantastic.
The game checks off all the boxes for a wide variety of gamers.
SoulsLike - Check
Metroidvania - Check
Action / RPG - Check
Platformer - Check
Gorgeous Game - Check
Horror - Check
True Lovecraft Monsters - Check
Just a geek that needs to collect a game with very unique design mechanics - Check
I could go on. I’m a huge fan of SoulsLike and Metroidvania games. Throw in the Roguelite concept where both the environment and your enemies are never the same is fantastic. The use of neural network AI to create the enemies is mind bendingly genius.
– Real player with 16.4 hrs in game