Crypt Custodian

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 703 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Crypt Custodian Game Cover
Crypt Custodian is a sensational top down Metroidvania, with compelling combat, loads of upgrades to experiment with, and of course cats!
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"Crypt Custodian" is a Metroidvania/Zelda-like game where you play as Pluto, a mischievous cat who is tasked with cleaning the afterlife as punishment for a disastrous encounter with the Afterlife Guardian. Explore the vast grounds, battle beasts, and gain new abilities to expand your map as you solve puzzles, discover secrets, and even plan an ambush to break back into the palace. Meet and befriend all the other bad ghosts, upgrade your gear, and collect new upgrades and abilities by completing puzzles, battling bosses, and cleaning through ruined dungeons.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 703 reviews
story86 positive mentions
grinding14 negative mentions
  • Charming art style and engaging characters that enhance the overall experience.
  • Smooth and responsive gameplay with a satisfying combat system and exploration mechanics.
  • Heartfelt story that resonates with players, often evoking emotional responses.
  • Some players may find the combat too simplistic and repetitive over time.
  • The game can feel a bit easy, especially on normal difficulty, with some bosses lacking challenge.
  • Certain abilities may feel underutilized or situational, limiting their impact on gameplay.
  • story212 mentions

    The story in the game is widely praised for its heartfelt and engaging narrative, featuring well-developed characters and emotional backstories that resonate with players. While some reviews note that the plot can feel short or somewhat shallow, many appreciate the depth added through collectibles and character interactions, creating a charming and bittersweet experience. Overall, the combination of a cute art style, solid gameplay, and a touching storyline makes it a standout title in the metroidvania genre.

    • “The story was really good, not only for the main storyline but the other ghosts you meet along the way, learning their backstory and how they got there.”
    • “The story unfolds gradually, with compelling lore and mysterious characters that draw you deeper into the game’s world.”
    • “The story is charming and the characters’ personalities and backstories are told well.”
    • “The story is also kinda weird.”
    • “There’s no lore to most of the areas, enemies, abilities or bosses, no environmental storytelling; it feels very 'video game-y'.”
    • “The story remained very simple, which isn't always a bad thing, but in this case it did little to make me feel invested in the characters and the goal of the game.”
  • gameplay186 mentions

    The gameplay is widely praised for its engaging and immersive mechanics, blending challenge and fun in a polished metroidvania experience. Players appreciate the smooth controls, unique boss fights, and the integration of charming aesthetics and storytelling, although some feel certain mechanics could be better utilized. Overall, the game offers a satisfying balance of exploration, combat, and progression, making it a standout title in its genre.

    • “The gameplay is engaging and immersive, offering a perfect blend of challenge and fun.”
    • “The fundamentals and mechanics are so well done, playing it is as natural as breathing.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth, fair, and fun.”
    • “Some gripes: I didn't feel the need to change my gear loadout at all in my playthrough, and some of the abilities seem to only exist to tick off the 'Metroidvania ability gate' box and had no use in the actual gameplay.”
    • “While every area does have a new look, new enemies, and new mechanics - it still all seemed mostly reskinned or very single purpose.”
    • “There were only 3 boss fights I remember as mechanically unique.”
  • music179 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its soothing and atmospheric qualities, perfectly complementing the art style and gameplay. Many reviewers highlighted the soundtrack's ability to enhance emotional moments and maintain a cozy vibe, with standout tracks for boss battles and exploration. While some found certain pieces less memorable, the overall consensus is that the music significantly elevates the gaming experience, making it a key highlight of the title.

    • “The music has been lovely as well, very chill and laid back, with nicely energetic, but not overwhelming, music during boss fights.”
    • “The soundtrack is incredible and really elevates the whole experience.”
    • “The music is soothing and fits the overall vibe really well.”
    • “Sometimes music cuts off abruptly after screen transitions.”
    • “I'm not a fan of the OST of the game; it's hit and miss for me.”
    • “Some of the music was very jarring to me due to the high metallic sounds used and short loops.”
  • graphics127 mentions

    The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their original and beautiful art style, which combines a charming, cartoonish aesthetic with engaging character designs and vibrant environments. Many reviewers noted that the visuals enhance the gameplay experience, contributing to a cozy and immersive atmosphere, although some mentioned occasional issues with clarity in platforming mechanics. Overall, the art direction is considered a standout feature, with a cohesive blend of visuals and music that resonates well with players.

    • “The art style is adorable but also very refined and purposeful.”
    • “The visuals and character design are wonderful, the soundtrack is extraordinary, and the gameplay is beyond satisfying.”
    • “The art style, the gameplay, the music, and the story all come together seamlessly.”
    • “Some of the artwork is like 'WTF' and looks unpolished.”
    • “There's been a lot of chatter about the 2D+ way the graphics were handled.”
    • “I get how the art style and the fact that only 1-2 people worked on this project is an impressive feat, and the cat is indeed very cute, but instead of enjoying myself, I'm running around in boring, maze-like dungeons with the occasional fight thrown in.”
  • emotional51 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling, charming characters, and whimsical atmosphere, often evoking strong feelings of nostalgia and sadness, particularly among pet owners. Many players report being moved to tears by the touching narratives and the game's ability to blend humor with poignant moments, creating a memorable and emotionally resonant experience. Overall, it is described as a beautifully crafted game that successfully combines fun gameplay with a deeply emotional journey.

    • “This game is charming, emotional, beautiful, and also appropriately tuned in difficulty to appeal to just about any level of skill.”
    • “Behind the cute design of Crypt Custodian lies a melancholic but also heartwarming tribute to our beloved pets.”
    • “The way the story ends left me an emotional mess.”
  • humor37 mentions

    The humor in this game is widely praised for its charming and whimsical nature, featuring well-written characters and funny dialogue that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the blend of lighthearted moments with touching storylines, as well as the inclusion of visual gags and amusing boss fights. Overall, the humor is described as both refreshing and heartwarming, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “This game has the perfect mix of heart, humor, and challenge.”
    • “The story and dialogue don’t take themselves too seriously and have many humorous moments.”
    • “Genuinely equal parts hilarious and heartwarming.”
  • atmosphere26 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming, cozy, and sometimes melancholic qualities, enhanced by beautiful art and an exceptional soundtrack. Players appreciate the emotional depth conveyed through the characters and stories, creating an engaging and immersive experience that keeps them invested. Overall, the game strikes a balance between lightheartedness and wistful moments, making it a standout in its genre.

    • “There is just something special about the atmosphere in this game.”
    • “Plays like Hyper Light Drifter with lower difficulty and a lighter atmosphere.”
    • “The eerie soundscapes and haunting melodies perfectly complement the visual experience, enhancing the overall atmosphere and making the crypts come alive (in more ways than one!).”
    • “Its gentle atmosphere becomes readily apparent from its calming title screen, that balances the morose curiosity of death with the onset of a spiritual journey, and even more so in its first tutorial level that has such a beautiful flooded ruins aesthetic that I wish I could steal it and make my entire Animal Crossing village mirror its splendor.”
  • grinding16 mentions

    Reviews on grinding in the game are mixed; while some players find certain achievements and currency collection to be excessively grindy and tedious, others appreciate the fast travel system and reduced backtracking that alleviate the grind. Overall, many players feel that the game strikes a balance, making grinding less of a focus as they progress, with some even noting a narrative twist that diminishes the need for grinding later on.

    • “The mechanics introduced throughout the game are fun, the backtracking is lessened by the teleport system on the map, and the whole upgrade system isn't too grindy either.”
    • “My only real critique is that the 'undefeated' achievement is incredibly grindy.”
    • “He knows we don’t like grinding for currency, even though a certain NPC shopkeeper has set some nightmarish prices for items in his store.”
    • “Alas, what is presented is a mid-tier metroidvania that I muted and ignored just to try to enjoy grinding and finding collectibles to ignore the constant 'be sad!'”
  • stability10 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates excellent stability, particularly on the Steam Deck, where it runs smoothly and bug-free. Players have noted minor sequence breaks that enhance gameplay without detracting from the experience, and the polished mechanics contribute to a seamless and enjoyable playthrough. Load times are also impressively quick, reflecting the developers' attention to detail and quality.

    • “Excellent, runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck, even though it's not marked as verified.”
    • “+ Bug free from what I played.”
    • “As a bonus, some minor sequence breaks and glitches are possible - but only the kind that benefit you and make you feel cool.”
    • “I didn't personally run into any glitches in my playthrough, and the load times are incredibly seamless which is impressive for a game of this size and scope.”
    • “It's clear that this game was made with love and care to get it ready for release, nothing seems rushed or buggy so far which is a plus.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its refreshing and painterly style, with delightful attention to detail in both visuals and storytelling. Reviewers highlight the depth of the characters and the engaging design, comparing it favorably to other well-regarded titles like Hollow Knight and Undertale. Overall, the combination of good story, cute character designs, and satisfying gameplay contributes to a rich and immersive experience.

    • “I loved the world and character design; it is refreshing to see such a painterly style, and the little attentions to detail are delightful.”
    • “Good story, cute character designs, fun fighting mechanics and skills, and a lot more depth put into an indie game than I was expecting.”
    • “Cc takes all the good things you expect from Kyle's work in terms of movement, character design, dialogue, exploration, etc., and perfects a lot of the formula.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    Overall, optimization feedback is mixed; while some users report excellent performance, particularly on handheld devices, others experience significant frame rate drops and performance issues in specific environments. Additionally, there are concerns about the lack of framerate options and potential GPU assignment problems on laptops, which can lead to subpar performance.

    • “Performance on deck has been excellent throughout with no hitches of any kind, and achievements are mostly exploration based, apart from the three tied to the bus rush mode, which feel slightly overtuned for S+ ranks.”
    • “First up for those curious, performance has been superb.”
    • “My only complaint is that the optimization lacks a bit, with no framerate option and limited gameplay options like hiding the progress percentage on the load-save screen.”
    • “I think my worst performance was 10 tries on a boss, but it is usually around 5 until you learn the moveset you need to avoid damage.”
    • “By the way, if you play on a laptop, Windows might decide to assign the game to your integrated GPU, resulting in terrible performance.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers notable replayability through unique mechanics such as shuffling upgrades and a boss rush mode, enhancing the experience beyond the initial playthrough. Players can expect around 10-12 hours of gameplay, with additional content available for those looking to revisit the game.

    • “It features mechanics that add replayability, which is much appreciated—like shuffling upgrades (the first time I've seen such a thing in an unmodded Metroidvania) and a boss rush.”
    • “It took about 10-12 hours to beat, but it has a boss rush and offers some replayability after you complete the game.”
    • “But it also features some mechanics that add replayability, which is much appreciated - like shuffling upgrades (first time I see such a thing in a metroidvania unmodded game) and boss rush.”
    • “Took about 10-12 hours to beat, but has a boss rush and some replayability after you first beat it.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization model is praised for its player-friendly approach, emphasizing a passion for gaming without the inclusion of in-game purchases.

    • “Created with passion, understanding of what a gamer would like, and no in-game purchase nonsense either.”
    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
    • “It's frustrating that so many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending extra.”
    • “The constant prompts to buy in-game currency ruin the overall experience and make it feel more like a cash grab.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

Buy Crypt Custodian

Play time

9hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
5-13hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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