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 Dying’s Door and Tunic, brotherly duo Kyle and Eric Thompson have made an approachable but exceedingly gratifying journey filled with fight, platforming, puzzles, and allure.
You play as a cat ordered to wash the afterlife after its demise. The overlord assumes the broom you are given will sweep the streets clear, however below their nostril, it is what’s used to kind a way of escape. You will make buddies with fellow animals and beat the dangerous guys and executives alongside the way in which, navigating an enormous map filled 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 unattainable 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 lots of of little islands making up the map to leap between. Pluto controls properly because of 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 demise.
The sport develops with the introduction of recent skills, typically rewarded after boss fights. Most change the way you method and navigate the world, like further dashes, clones, a boomerang, and extra. When you’re not exploring aspect areas or conquering fight checks, then you definately’ll unlock these abilities pretty rapidly — roughly one each hour. One or two will take slightly trial and error to completely work out, nonetheless, as their capabilities could be barely complicated at first. They assist to provide the title a terrific tempo, guaranteeing you all the time 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 diversified 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.