Ex Vitro

About

Ex Vitro is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by Evolver Dynamics and was released on January 31, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

FEATURES: A retro love letter to the Metroid series, with a few quality of life adjustments, such as teleporters, rechargeable ammo, item collection tracking by area, and more Discover journal entries hidden throughout the facility, explaining the grim fate of humanity and its war against the galaxy Uncover the nature of the main character and their role in the conflict Collect and upgrade po…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 85 reviews

graphics8 positive mentions

A solid and enjoyable Metroidvania experience that captures the essence of the genre, especially for being free.
The game features interesting level design, good exploration mechanics, and a compelling story that enhances the atmosphere.
Despite some rough edges, the game offers addictive gameplay and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic Metroid titles.

Controls can feel clunky and unresponsive at times, particularly with the crouching mechanic and aiming.
The story and writing, while ambitious, can come off as heavy-handed and overly familiar, detracting from the overall experience.
The game is relatively short and may feel too easy for experienced players, lacking the challenge that some may expect from a Metroidvania.

graphics
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
50%
14%
The graphics of the game evoke a nostalgic, retro aesthetic reminiscent of 1990s pre-rendered visuals, drawing comparisons to classic titles like Super Metroid and Donkey Kong Country. While some players find the visuals dated and reminiscent of early PC games, others appreciate the unique art style and atmospheric design, particularly in the final sector, which features impressive environmental storytelling. Overall, the graphics are seen as a charming tribute to the genre, though opinions vary on their execution and appeal.
- “The graphics, gameplay, environment design, and everything else is a loving tribute to one of the greatest games ever made.”
- “The visuals and sound effects are really well utilized in this to create a very atmospheric experience.”
- “The story is interesting and well written, the visuals feel very '2000s freeware' in a good way, and the level design is better than many indie metroidvanias I've played.”
- “I didn’t like the game much when I first started it up due to its visuals that reminded me of cheap PC games of the period from 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.”
story
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
30%
15%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and well-written, particularly appreciating the immersive worldbuilding and environmental storytelling. However, others criticized it for being overly straightforward or burdened by exposition, suggesting it could benefit from more indirect storytelling. Overall, while the narrative is intriguing and adds depth to the gameplay, its execution may not resonate with all players.
- “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.”
- “Immersive storytelling and 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, and the level design is better than many indie metroidvanias I've played.”
- “The story of this game is really bad.”
- “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.”
gameplay
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
47%
18%
The gameplay is a well-crafted homage to the Metroid series, featuring familiar mechanics, an emphasis on exploration, and a smooth, addictive loop that keeps players engaged. While some players noted minor frustrations with specific controls, the overall experience is enhanced by interesting level design, a variety of biomes, and a balanced difficulty curve that makes it accessible without sacrificing depth. The game's atmosphere and artistic design further elevate the gameplay, making it a standout in the metroidvania genre.
- “A love letter to Metroid with all the mechanics you're familiar with.”
- “Fairly easy gameplay with more emphasis on exploration, upgrade finding, and an interesting story.”
- “Addictive gameplay loop that, combined with its main gameplay mechanics, makes the game feel pretty smooth and easy to get into.”
- “My only issue was not having a hold pose mechanic to fire without moving at times when I wanted to shoot without running.”
- “Gameplay-wise, this is very much the usual.”
- “It takes the fast-paced gameplay and indirect storytelling from the Metroid franchise, making the game atmosphere pretty interesting (although it may have an exaggerated amount of text for some players).”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and dark qualities, effectively capturing the essence of the Metroid franchise through ambient music and detailed visuals. Players appreciate the combination of solid exploration, enemy variety, and lore that enhances the overall experience, although some note that the text-heavy storytelling may be overwhelming for certain players. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as fantastic, with many calling it a standout feature that elevates the gameplay.
- “I'd love a soundtrack release, the music is atmospheric and ambient, perfectly capturing the vibe of Metroid.”
- “It's a very decent Metroid-like with solid exploration, good enemy variety, interesting boss fights, and amazing atmosphere.”
- “The visuals and sound effects are really well utilized in this to create a very atmospheric experience.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
12%
38%
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and ambient qualities, effectively capturing the essence of the Metroid series. While most tracks enhance the overall experience, some users noted a few generic pieces, and a volume slider for music would be a welcome addition. Overall, the soundtrack is considered polished and fitting, contributing significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere.
- “I'd love a soundtrack release; the music is atmospheric and ambient, perfectly capturing the vibe of Metroid.”
- “Amazing atmosphere! The music, ambient and overall design is just *chef's kiss*.”
- “Music is fitting to the game, and the experience is highly polished.”
- “Music ranges from atmospheric to generic elevator muzak, with only one or two good and fitting tracks.”
- “A volume slider for music and sound would be appreciated; there are none at this time.”
- “While the music is fitting to the game, it lacks variety and can feel repetitive.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting its impactful storytelling that evokes tears, albeit lamenting its brevity.
- “The only downside is that this game made me cry because it was too short.”