Imp of the Sun

63%
Game Brain Score Based on 80 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
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

63%
Audience ScoreBased on 80 reviews
graphics18 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful hand-drawn art and a unique setting inspired by Peruvian mythology, which adds charm and cultural depth.
  • Gameplay includes fun platforming mechanics and a fair progression in difficulty, making it enjoyable for both casual and experienced players.
  • The soundtrack is immersive and well-composed, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
  • Controls are often criticized for being unresponsive and unintuitive, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • The game is relatively short, with many players completing it in around 5-7 hours, which may not justify the price for some.
  • Steam achievements are broken and not synced, which detracts from the sense of accomplishment for players aiming to complete the game.
  • graphics34 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique and appealing hand-drawn art style that many players appreciate, though some note that the animated sprites lack fluidity and the cutscenes are mostly static. While the visuals are generally considered solid, there are complaints about the absence of basic graphic options and minor stuttering issues. Overall, the art style is seen as a highlight, but it may not reach the high standards set by other titles in the genre.

    • “I love the art style, the music is great and the combat is okay at least.”
    • “The artstyle is quite unique and I like the hand-drawn style very much.”
    • “[*] beautiful hand-drawn artstyle”
    • “The animated sprites look like they have very little frames and the cutscenes are mostly static artworks with some animated zoom and distortion.”
    • “However, there are literally no graphic options and the game seems to be locked at 60 fps, which seems to be solid 59-60 on my display - however I get some little stutter effects which seems odd, I don't notice any drop in frame rates (except loading screens).”
    • “[*] missing most basic graphic options like resolution, framerate, vsync”
  • gameplay20 mentions

    The gameplay is a mixed bag, featuring a short but enjoyable metroidvania experience with solid controls and fun platforming mechanics, though it lacks depth and can become repetitive, particularly due to unskippable dialogue and frustrating boss encounters. While the game offers a creative map and engaging visuals, some players found the overall experience lacking in excitement and polish. Improvements in gameplay mechanics could elevate future titles from the developers.

    • “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 (the dash mechanic doesn't like going diagonal, but that was the biggest issue I had) and the platforming and combat, while never super deep, are pretty fun.”
    • “Great mechanics and storyline, all around 5/5.”
    • “A solid game, with solid visuals, and solid gameplay.”
    • “Also, the achievements don't seem to work as of writing this review. I found this out after a frustrating boss fight that used a lot of the mechanics I described above. It's not a big deal if I were having fun, but I just wasn't.”
    • “While the graphics are terrific and the level design is highly creative, the gameplay leaves much to be desired.”
    • “All in all, I'm sure some people will have fun with this, and maybe the visuals will be enough to carry dedicated players through, but it just didn't do it for me. With a bit of spit shine on the gameplay, I think whatever the dev team decides to make next could be a home run though!”
  • story16 mentions

    The story is praised for its compelling narrative and cultural depth, featuring colorful characters and beautiful visuals that enhance the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the use of quipus as a unique storytelling device, alongside a fair difficulty progression and engaging boss battles, which contribute to moments of achievement. Overall, the storyline is considered intriguing and well-executed, earning high marks from reviewers.

    • “Great mechanics and storyline, all around 5/5.”
    • “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.”
    • “Understanding Dark Souls' story.”
  • music10 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its whimsical and heartfelt qualities, complementing the vibrant art style and engaging story. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, making the game a worthwhile experience for those who appreciate good music alongside a compelling narrative.

    • “From the colourful characters, to the beautiful backgrounds, and from the whimsical music to the heartfelt story.”
    • “If you're interested in a game that has a good story and an amazing soundtrack, then you should definitely try this game.”
    • “[*] good sound and music”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players highlight the game's emotional depth, praising its heartfelt story and vibrant characters, complemented by beautiful visuals and whimsical music. However, some express frustration with unresolved issues, indicating a strong emotional investment in the game's potential.

    • “From the colorful characters, to the beautiful backgrounds, and from the whimsical music to the heartfelt story.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players have noted that grinding for the "no leveling" achievement can reveal frustrating oversights in the game's design, suggesting that the experience may be tedious and hinder enjoyment.

    • “When grinding for the 'no leveling' achievement, I started to notice some annoying bits of oversight.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The reviews indicate that the game's replayability is limited, with many players feeling that once the main content is completed, there is little incentive to return. However, some users appreciate the potential for different playstyles or choices that can offer a fresh experience upon replaying. Overall, while there are elements that may encourage multiple playthroughs, the consensus leans towards a lack of substantial replay value.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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