Sunblaze is a brain-twisting precision platformer with hundreds of challenging, handcrafted levels to keep you dying for hours and hours.
The controls feel silky smooth and exceptionally responsive. Players highlight the fluidity of the movement, including a satisfying dash, a slight double jump, and the ability to grab and hold onto certain walls. The controls consistently deliver reliable performance, allowing players to precisely execute the required platforming challenges.
While the difficulty can be brutally high, especially in the later levels and "hard mode" content, the game maintains a fair and well-designed difficulty curve. Players draw comparisons to the acclaimed precision platformer Celeste, but note that the challenge stems from the precision required rather than any unfair or frustrating design choices.
Each level is contained within a single screen, tasking players with navigating a series of obstacles and hazards while also identifying the optimal route or sequence of actions. Reviewers praise the variety and creativity of these puzzle-platforming scenarios, which deftly blend dexterity and strategic thinking.
The quick restart times after deaths, combined with the game's ability to present new challenges in a consistent flow, encourage players to keep trying and improve their skills. Mastering a particularly challenging level provides a profound sense of satisfaction, further incentivizing revisiting stages for deathless runs or in pursuit of optional collectibles.
Recognizing the game's high difficulty, the developers include a range of accessibility options. "Zen Mode" reduces the overall challenge, while adjustments to the player's abilities, such as increased jump height or invulnerability, allow players to customize the experience to their preferred level of difficulty. These options ensure the core gameplay remains enjoyable for a wide range of skill levels.