Elypse

The graphics of the game receive mixed feedback, with many praising the unique and beautiful art style that features a striking contrast of colors, reminiscent of titles like Hollow Knight and Ori. However, performance issues such as poor framerate at 1080p detract from the overall experience, despite the visuals being described as good or great. Overall, while the art and aesthetic are highlights, technical performance leaves room for improvement.

The story of the game is generally viewed as lacking depth and originality, with many reviewers describing it as simplistic, cliché, and poorly translated. While some appreciate the potential for expansion and find the worldbuilding intriguing, the narrative is often criticized for being vague and not engaging enough to connect with the characters. Overall, the story serves more as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a compelling element in its own right.

The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many players noting that it complements the visuals beautifully and evolves as the game progresses. While some feel it could be more rewarding through additional content like challenge rooms, the soundtrack is generally considered immersive and fitting for the game's atmosphere. Overall, the sound design, including satisfying sound effects, contributes significantly to the game's appeal.

The game's optimization is inconsistent, with reports of poor framerate at 1080p unless vsync is disabled, leading to performance issues during gameplay. While some users note that it runs well on lower-end systems, others experience choppy playback in high-quality settings, indicating a need for further optimization. Overall, the performance is solid but could benefit from improvements to ensure a smoother experience across all hardware configurations.

The atmosphere is characterized by a somber and surreal mood, creating a beautiful and immersive experience. Players appreciate the unique and creative mechanics, which complement the challenging yet satisfying gameplay, reminiscent of other titles like Hollow Knight.

Players find the grinding aspect of the game frustrating due to a lack of checkpoints before challenging segments, leading to repetitive and tedious gameplay. This design choice forces players to repeatedly navigate long sections only to fail at the final hurdle, resulting in a monotonous experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment.

Players express that the emotional experience of the game is marred by frustrating collision detection and unfair difficulty, which can detract from the enjoyment of its creative platforming challenges. Despite these issues, the overall emotional impact remains strong, as players feel a sense of heartbreak over the game's design choices that hinder their progress.

The game offers moderate replayability, primarily appealing to players interested in speedrunning or achieving 100% completion, despite its linear structure and relatively short playtime. While the gameplay is fluid, the limited length may restrict replay value for some players.

Character development in the game draws comparisons to "Hollow Knight" for its design and cutscene art, while the movement mechanics evoke feelings similar to "Ori" and "Celeste," albeit with a more obscured view of the environment. This blend suggests a unique approach to character interaction and progression within the gameplay.

Users report that the game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, highlighting its stability as a key strength, alongside its engaging Metroidvania gameplay.