Ex Vitro
- January 31, 2024
- Evolver Dynamics
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam"Ex Vitro" is a retro-style Metroidvania game set in a desolate future where humanity has been forced to flee Earth. Explore 8 different biomes filled with secrets, traps, and massive boss enemies. Uncover the nature of the main character and their role in the conflict, and discover journal entries that explain the grim fate of humanity and its war against the galaxy. Collect and upgrade powerful weapons, and unlock two different endings based on item completion. Original music by Sam Bionn.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Ex Vitro is a fantastic homage to the Metroid series, featuring addictive gameplay, excellent level design, and a dark, immersive atmosphere.
- The game offers a compelling story with well-written lore that enhances the overall experience, making it engaging for players who enjoy narrative depth.
- As a free game, it provides great value with solid exploration mechanics, unique enemy designs, and multiple endings, making it a must-play for Metroidvania fans.
- The controls can be clunky and unresponsive at times, particularly with crouching and jumping mechanics, which can hinder gameplay.
- Some players found the game to be too easy, especially on normal difficulty, leading to a lack of challenge and engagement.
- Visuals may feel outdated or reminiscent of early 2000s games, which could detract from the immersion for some players.
- graphics36 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game evoke a nostalgic, retro aesthetic reminiscent of late 1990s PC games, which some players find charming while others consider outdated. While the visuals may initially seem unappealing, they grow on players as they engage with the game's storytelling and atmospheric design, particularly in the final sector that showcases impressive environmental storytelling. Overall, the graphics are seen as a mixed bag, with some appreciating the old-school style and others critiquing the dated HUD and occasional visual bugs.
“There is one place where the graphics shine though, the last sector looks awesome with a horror vibe that feels pretty unique.”
“The other sectors are fine once you get accustomed to the visuals, but the last one is perfect with excellent environmental storytelling, starting dark and moody and then slowly going all creepy on you with your mini-map crashing and haunting echoes around every corner.”
“The visuals and sound effects are really well utilized in this to create a very atmospheric experience.”
“I didn’t like the game much when I first started it up due to its visuals that reminded me of cheap PC games from the period of 1995 to 2000 when some developers discovered rendered graphics for the first time.”
“The HUD visuals are very dated, resembling free 2000s flash games, and not just because the game is in a 4:3 aspect ratio; there are some bugs like misplaced loading zones and weird hitbox interactions with some walls and enemies.”
“I will say the controls need some work; the visuals are outdated, but the story and log entries are quite nice to read.”
- story32 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story in "Ex Vitro" is noted for its depth and immersive worldbuilding, featuring a grim narrative centered on humanity's role in a galactic genocide and the subsequent rebellion of alien races. While some players found the exposition on the main menu excessive, the environmental storytelling and data logs effectively enhance the experience, making it engaging despite some clunky controls and outdated visuals. Overall, the narrative is well-written and contributes significantly to the game's atmosphere and exploration.
“+ Immersive storytelling & worldbuilding (data logs paired with the environment is fantastic. The dev really knows how to write and create an intriguing and fascinating world).”
“The story is interesting and well written; the visuals feel very '2000s freeware' in a good way (reminds me of The Desolate Hope), and the level design is better than many indie metroidvanias I've played.”
“I personally think the story would have been much more effective without the exposition dump on the main menu.”
“This isn’t a happy story; it’s as grim as it gets with humanity as the perpetrator of a galactic genocide for their own benefit until the alien races united and fought back.”
“It takes the fast-paced gameplay and indirect storytelling from the Metroid franchise, making the game atmosphere pretty interesting, although it may be an exaggerated amount of text for some players.”
- gameplay24 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as a classic metroidvania experience, featuring smooth mechanics, an addictive loop, and interesting level design that keeps the difficulty approachable. Players appreciate the variety of biomes and enemies, along with the game's ability to maintain freshness throughout its duration, although some may find the amount of text excessive. Overall, the gameplay is praised for its fast-paced action and engaging atmosphere, making it a well-crafted piece of art.
“It's a classic metroidvania game that does everything pretty well, from the visuals to the gameplay mechanics with interesting level design choices and a pretty approachable difficulty curve.”
“The addictive gameplay loop, combined with its main gameplay mechanics, makes the game feel smooth and easy to get into.”
“Gameplay-wise, this is very much the usual.”
“There are different biomes with their own enemies, and each new biome is progressively deadlier with a couple of new mechanics.”
“It takes the fast-paced gameplay and indirect storytelling from the Metroid franchise, making the game atmosphere pretty interesting (although it may be an exaggerated amount of text for some players).”
- atmosphere18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its dark, immersive quality, enhanced by excellent music, ambient sounds, and visual design that evoke a sense of exploration reminiscent of the Metroid franchise. Players appreciate the depth of lore and the overall creepy vibe, although some find the amount of text excessive. Overall, the combination of solid gameplay and a captivating atmosphere makes it a standout experience.
“I have played through it multiple times, it has such a dark and immersive atmosphere I couldn't help but to read all the lore as I played.”
“Fantastic atmosphere and great gameplay.”
“+ amazing atmosphere (the music, ambient and overall design is just *chef's kiss*)”
- music12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for creating an amazing atmosphere, with a mix of atmospheric tracks and a few standout pieces, though some users noted the presence of generic tunes. While the overall sound design is polished and enhances the gaming experience, players expressed a desire for a volume slider to adjust music and sound levels. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's immersive quality, reminiscent of classic titles like Super Metroid.
“The music is fitting to the game and the experience is highly polished.”
“Music is great and I love the atmosphere, Super Metroid all over again.”
“Amazing atmosphere (the music, ambient and overall design is just *chef's kiss*).”
“Music ranges from atmospheric to generic elevator muzak to one or two good and fitting ones.”
“A volume slider for music and sound would be appreciated - there are none at this time.”
“Music is fitting to the game and the experience is highly polished.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional response to the game, highlighting that its brevity leaves them feeling moved and even tearful, indicating a deep connection to the story and characters despite its short length.
“The only downside is that this game made me cry for being too short.”
