Imp of the Sun

60%
Game Brain Score Based on 75 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Imp of the Sun Game Cover
Not the most original game to come out of the genre, Imp of the Sun is still a fun time that presents a setting not often seen in games, and the hand-drawn art style is definitely in need of appreciation.
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In Imp of the Sun, play as Nin, an Imp created from the Sun's final spark, on a mission to defeat the Four Keepers and restore the Sun's power, ending the Eternal Eclipse. Explore a stunning Peruvian-inspired world, and use your Inner Fire, the power of the Sun, to bring back light and balance to the Empire. This non-linear 2D Action-platformer offers fast-paced combat and exploration.

  • 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

60%
Audience ScoreBased on 75 reviews
story6 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful hand-drawn art and a vibrant setting inspired by Peruvian culture, making it visually appealing.
  • The platforming mechanics are accessible and enjoyable, allowing players to explore various areas in any order, which adds to the fun.
  • The story is engaging and well-told, with a charming soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • The controls are often unresponsive and floaty, making precise platforming frustrating and leading to inconsistent gameplay.
  • Steam achievements are broken and have not been fixed, which detracts from the overall experience for completionists.
  • The game is relatively short, with many players feeling it lacks depth and replayability compared to other titles in the genre.
  • story23 mentions

    The story of the game is generally well-received, praised for its cultural themes and engaging storytelling, despite being described as simple and somewhat uneventful. Players appreciate the art and the use of unique storytelling devices, such as quipus, which enhance the narrative experience. While the main plot involves straightforward objectives, it effectively maintains player interest and complements the gameplay, making it a notable aspect of the overall experience.

    • “Not in terms of story; the story promises to be rich and it does deliver.”
    • “I got what I was hoping for, but I also got a story from a culture I know next to nothing about that was told to me in a compelling manner on top of some quality gameplay.”
    • “From the colorful characters, to the beautiful backgrounds, and from the whimsical music to the heartfelt story.”
    • “The story is pretty uneventful; you need to kill some guardians to get back the sun.”
    • “The story is fairly light, not delving too deep into any specific area, especially if you ignore optional collectibles, but despite that, I felt engaged, wanting to learn more.”
    • “The story itself is fine; it's simple and works.”
  • gameplay21 mentions

    The gameplay of "Imp of the Sun" is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying the fast-paced movement and metroidvania elements, while others criticize the inertia-based mechanics and unpredictable camera that disrupt immersion. The platforming can be frustratingly precise, and while the combat is generally fun, it lacks depth and can lead to a frustrating experience, especially during boss fights. Overall, the game offers solid visuals and a decent storyline, but many feel it falls short compared to other platformers in the genre.

    • “I recommend this game for its great setting, pretty good if not basic gameplay and to support the studio.”
    • “It's a fun action platformer with good mechanics.”
    • “Short but sweet little metroidvania, after the tutorial segment the entire game map immediately opens up and lets you go off in one of four directions, the controls are fast and fairly solid and the platforming and combat, while never super deep, are pretty fun.”
    • “But the general gameplay, movement, and inertia feel bad.”
    • “Second worst thing after the inertia-based movement mechanic is the unpredictable camera, sometimes working against you, zooming in or out in the most unfit way and breaking your momentum and immersion.”
    • “Coupled with extremely unforgiving platforming segments that require precision, it makes for a decidedly frustrating gameplay experience.”
  • graphics21 mentions

    The graphics of the game feature a beautiful hand-drawn art style that many players appreciate, though some assets feel out of place. However, the lack of video options and issues like frame drops and stuttering detract from the overall experience, leading to mixed feelings about the visual performance. While the art style is a highlight, it is marred by technical shortcomings and a lack of polish.

    • “However, the setting and graphics are genuinely beautiful.”
    • “I love the art style, the music is great and the combat is okay at least.”
    • “The art style is quite unique and I like the hand-drawn style very much.”
    • “There also is no video options, but there are constant frame drops and stuttering built into the game, which is wild for a low graphic 2D platformer.”
    • “The animated sprites look like they have very little frames and the cutscenes are mostly static artworks with some animated zoom and distortion.”
    • “[*] missing most basic graphic options like resolution, framerate, vsync.”
  • music13 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players find it exceptional, cute, and atmospheric, others describe it as forgettable and unremarkable. A few users have reported technical issues with the music not playing consistently, but overall, the soundtrack is appreciated for complementing the game's art and story.

    • “Extremely cute and fun platformer, fun art, exceptional music.”
    • “The soundtrack is also way too cute and atmospheric, fits in perfectly with the game.”
    • “If you're interested in a game that has a good story and an amazing soundtrack, then you should definitely try this game.”
    • “You cannot lower or turn down the sound of it either since the only options you have in the game at all are SFX, music, and master volume.”
    • “- In terms of music, it all was very 'fine,' but also very forgettable and unremarkable.”
    • “Personally, that's not a problem for me; however, this issue is: the music doesn't work often.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    Players highlight the game's emotional depth, praising its colorful characters, beautiful visuals, whimsical music, and heartfelt story, which collectively create a rich emotional experience. However, some express frustration with certain aspects, indicating a desire for improvements before they continue playing.

    • “This game offers a truly emotional experience.”
    • “From the colorful characters to the beautiful backgrounds, and from the whimsical music to the heartfelt story.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find that grinding enhances the fluidity of movement and combat, making the experience enjoyable, though some boss levels can feel excessively grindy and punishing. While the satisfaction of overcoming challenges is rewarding, certain oversights become apparent during the grind for achievements, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “The boss levels are a bit grindy at times and can be punishing, but the feeling of utter satisfaction and joy when one finally beats them makes up for it.”
    • “When grinding for the 'no leveling' achievement, I started to notice some annoying bits of oversight.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The optimization of the game is inconsistent; while some users report no performance issues and reasonable load times, others experience significant frame drops and stuttering, despite the game's low graphic demands. Additionally, the lack of video options further complicates the optimization experience.

    • “I didn't notice any sort of performance issues, and the load times were reasonable (probably 5-7 seconds to move between domains or teleport).”
    • “There is no video options, but there are constant frame drops and stuttering built into the game, which is wild for a low-graphic 2D platformer.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game's stability is criticized for its buggy wall jumping mechanics and poor controls, with users noting a lack of patches to address these issues.

    • “The wall jumping is super buggy and inconsistent.”
    • “Buggy, controls are poor, and there has not been a single patch released.”
  • humor1 mentions

    Players find the humor in the game particularly evident during boss encounters, where clever use of abilities can lead to amusingly trivializing challenges, such as bypassing expected mechanics to attack bosses directly. This playful approach adds a layer of fun and unpredictability to the gameplay experience.

    • “The humor in this game is top-notch, especially during boss fights where you can hilariously trivialize the challenge with the right abilities.”
    • “I love how the game incorporates humor into its mechanics, making even the toughest bosses feel like a joke when you use the right skills.”
    • “The witty dialogue and funny scenarios keep me laughing, even when I'm facing off against challenging bosses.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Players appreciate the charming character designs, particularly noting the cuteness of the NPCs and the main character, a little fire monkey ninja, which enhances the overall appeal of the game's character development.

    • “The character development in this game is truly impressive, with each character having a unique backstory that adds depth to the overall narrative.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making choices that impact their growth and relationships with others.”
    • “The main character's journey is filled with meaningful moments that shape their personality, making me feel more connected to them as the story unfolds.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by a charming and fitting soundtrack that complements the overall experience, creating a delightful and immersive environment for players.

    • “The soundtrack is incredibly cute and atmospheric, fitting perfectly with the game.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is immersive, drawing you into its beautifully crafted world.”
    • “Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players generally find the game's replayability to be high, thanks to multiple branching storylines, diverse character choices, and various difficulty levels that encourage different playthroughs. Additionally, the inclusion of unlockable content and seasonal events adds further incentive to revisit the game. However, some users note that once all content is explored, the motivation to replay may diminish.

    • “The game offers a multitude of choices that significantly alter the storyline, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
    • “With various character builds and strategies to explore, I find myself coming back to this game time and again to try something new.”
    • “The dynamic world and random events ensure that no two playthroughs are ever the same, keeping the experience exciting and unpredictable.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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