Some say there are too many Metroidvania video games for this world, but when one pretty much as good as Crypt Custodian comes alongside, it serves as a reminder of precisely why so many builders chase that addictive fusion of explorative motion. With shades of Loss of life’s Door and Tunic, brotherly duo Kyle and Eric Thompson have made an approachable but exceedingly gratifying journey stuffed with fight, platforming, puzzles, and appeal.
You play as a cat ordered to scrub the afterlife after its loss of life. The overlord assumes the broom you are given will sweep the streets clear, however underneath their nostril, it is what’s used to type a way of escape. You will make mates with fellow animals and beat the dangerous guys and executives alongside the best way, navigating an enormous map stuffed with biomes and challenges. Witty dialogue brings protagonist Pluto and his friends to life, making for charming interactions on the finish of each battle. All oh so pleasant, it is inconceivable to not come away with a smile plastered throughout your face.
It isn’t fairly top-down, however you play from an overhead perspective with a whole lot of little islands making up the map to leap between. Pluto controls nicely due to responsive inputs and on-screen tells for the place your leap will land, whereas fight is stored comparatively easy however sources depth from upgrades and particular assaults. You purchase them utilizing a foreign money dropped by enemies and the surroundings — don’t fear, although, this is not a Souls-like. Completely nothing is misplaced upon loss of life.
The sport develops with the introduction of latest skills, usually rewarded after boss fights. Most change the way you method and navigate the world, like further dashes, clones, a boomerang, and extra. In case you’re not exploring aspect areas or conquering fight exams, then you definately’ll unlock these expertise pretty shortly — roughly one each hour. One or two will take just a little trial and error to totally determine, nonetheless, as their capabilities will be barely complicated at first. They assist to present the title an ideal tempo, making certain you at all times have one thing new to think about or take a look at in beforehand explored areas.
And whereas the variations between every zone are largely simply beauty, all of them really feel distinct sufficient with diverse colors, enemy sorts, and general themes. A chill soundtrack enhances the laidback and pleasant tone kickstarted by the visuals and normal gameplay route, making Cyrpt Custodian a calming expertise simply as a lot as it’s an entertaining one — an impressively achieved sport all in all.