Return to the Golden Age of arcades with a hardcore action platformer that pulls no punches! Possesses all the hallmarks of true classics like Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts (SNES), Rastan Saga (Arcade), Castlevania (NES) and more with precise controls, high challenge, and meticulous design.
Players will die within seconds of starting a level, but sticking with the game and learning intricate enemy and level patterns rewards them with a deep sense of accomplishment. The challenging gameplay loop of dying, learning, and finally overcoming tough obstacles is profoundly satisfying. Deaths always feel like the player's fault, a result of not properly memorizing and executing the required sequence of movements and attacks. Mastering the protagonist's limited moveset of jumping, sword attacking, and spear throwing is essential to progressing, creating an experience that is equal parts frustrating and gratifying.
The controls feel incredibly tight and well-tuned. The protagonist maintains a fixed jump arc once airborne, forcing players to plan and time their jumps carefully. This restrictive yet meaningful jumping mechanic contributes to the game's methodical, pattern-based gameplay. Throwing spears locks the character in place momentarily, but these projectiles can stick to walls to form platforms, adding versatility to the traversal. Overall, the simple but precise control scheme provides a firm foundation for the unrelenting challenge.
Each level is packed with a variety of traps and enemy placements that players must memorize and overcome through repetition. Levels are divided into two sections with a single checkpoint between them, meaning mistakes deep into a stage can force lengthy replays. The environments themselves are cleverly constructed, with hazards like spikes and pits arranged to require perfect timing and positioning. Thrown spears can create makeshift platforms, adding depth to the platforming. Challenging boss encounters at the end of each level put all of the player's skills to the test.
While the difficulty may seem daunting, the game's greatest appeal lies in the deep satisfaction that comes from gradually improving one's skills. Each death is an opportunity to learn, and with patience and persistence, levels that once seemed insurmountable become navigable. Overcoming the game's challenges requires embracing the process of learning, adapting, and perfecting one's play. Completing a difficult stage or defeating a previously impossible boss is an exhilarating experience, made all the more rewarding by the player's own hard-won mastery.