Some say there are too many Metroidvania video games for this world, but when one nearly 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 satisfying journey stuffed with fight, platforming, puzzles, and attraction.
You play as a cat ordered to wash 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 method of escape. You may make buddies with fellow animals and beat the unhealthy guys and managers alongside the way in which, navigating an unlimited map stuffed with biomes and challenges. Witty dialogue brings protagonist Pluto and his buddies to life, making for charming interactions on the finish of each battle. All oh so pleasant, it is unattainable to not come away with a smile plastered throughout your face.
It is not 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 properly due to responsive inputs and on-screen tells for the place your leap will land, whereas fight is saved comparatively easy however sources depth from upgrades and particular assaults. You purchase them utilizing a forex dropped by enemies and the atmosphere — 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, typically rewarded after boss fights. Most change the way you method and navigate the world, like extra dashes, clones, a boomerang, and extra. In case you’re not exploring aspect areas or conquering fight checks, you then’ll unlock these expertise pretty rapidly — roughly one each hour. One or two will take slightly trial and error to completely determine, nevertheless, as their capabilities might be barely complicated at first. They assist to present the title an awesome tempo, guaranteeing 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 principally simply beauty, all of them really feel distinct sufficient with assorted colors, enemy sorts, and total themes. A chill soundtrack enhances the laidback and pleasant tone kickstarted by the visuals and basic gameplay course, making Cyrpt Custodian a soothing expertise simply as a lot as it’s an entertaining one — an impressively completed sport all in all.