I recently completed The Messenger, an indie title currently on Steam and Nintendo Switch.
This game, was a treat. It started off as a simple run and slash platformer with very tongue-in-cheek, fourth wall breaking dialogue, but then it expands into a a decent (not great, decent) Metroidvania. The unique takes on movement with a "cloud-step" (which lets you jump again but only after you have slashed an enemy or object) feels great as the movement items obtained along the way feel just as good. There are plenty of people calling this their favorite indie game in a long time, and i see little reason to disagree that there is clearly a lot of passion placed into this game, from the level design including all areas from forests, to cloud cities, to lava caves. The dialogue clearly shows that the people that made this game love video games, gaming culture, anime culture, and philosophy.
So, I do have some negatives about it, and it is better to get them out of the way:
- I can appreciate a game that I paid $20 for being long, but this game just felt a little too long. There is a LOT of back-tracking you have to do to complete it. To the point where it encapsulates about 12 hours of an 18 hour game (or rather, that's how long it took me.)
- There is a secret item you can get have you break 44 Power Seals. These are scattered throughout the entire game and they are purposefully out of the way and difficult to get, requiring sometimes highly accurate button timing. That said, the actual item you get is...worthless. OK, it is not a literal pile of golden poo like Breathe of the Wild does (which I love), but it is a weapon that does not feel as if it enhances the gaming experience or makes one feel more powerful. It is not worth your time, do not attempt it. I stopped.
Alright, on to more positives:
- Each boss fight feels just right in the difficulty versus ease. No boss felt "cheap" or like it required obnoxious button timing to defeat. Just patience and good dodging.
- Death is inconsequential in this game, just a decrease in funds, which is perfect for me. Some sections I may have died in over 40 times. I died a total of 430+ times the entire game.
- The level design felt extremely unique in many parts, like the Skyland area.
- The music!
- The past and present switching with a graphical change was just awesome.
All and all, I highly recommend this game to all those that have an interest. I look forward to what Sabotage Studio comes up with next.
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