Lords of Exile

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 51 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Lords of Exile Game Cover
Starting at $7Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store

In "Lords of Exile" , players traverse 8 levels of linear design as a cursed knight named Gabriel, battling creatures of the night and samurais in ancient Far Eastern lands. With a variety of mechanics, from throwing weapons to melee combat, players face off against powerful bosses and gain new skills to enhance abilities. Upon completing the game as Gabriel, players can unlock two additional game modes and play as Lyria, offering a distinct gameplay experience.

Play Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 51 reviews
music13 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The game features well-designed boss battles, each with unique music, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The pixel art style and level design are impressive, capturing the essence of classic 1980s platformers while providing a nostalgic feel.
  • Gameplay is generally enjoyable with a good balance of challenge and accessibility, allowing players to learn controls and master the game without excessive frustration.
  • The main character, Gabriel, moves too slowly, which can make gameplay feel tedious and unresponsive at times.
  • The double jump mechanic is inconsistent, leading to frustrating moments where players may fall to their deaths due to unresponsive controls.
  • Some boss battles, particularly the final one, can be overly difficult compared to the rest of the game, creating a jarring difficulty spike.
  • music27 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its quality, catchiness, and how well it complements the gameplay and art style. Notable comparisons to classic soundtracks highlight its nostalgic appeal, while some criticisms mention similarities to other games' music. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, making the game particularly enjoyable for fans of retro gaming.

    • “The music is very good; each track is nice to listen to and fits with the game so well.”
    • “If you enjoy action platformers at all, this one is worth it for the music alone.”
    • “A really solid game with awesome graphics, solid game design, and a banging soundtrack.”
    • “The game presents well to start and has a solid soundtrack, but it feels hollow.”
    • “Lords of Exile pretty much made Cyber Shadow's level 2 music the entire theme tune for the whole game.”
    • “The music is catchy, but this seems like a clone of an IGA game, Curse of the Moon.”
  • graphics17 mentions

    The graphics of "Lords of Exile" are highly praised for their detailed pixel art style that effectively captures the nostalgic essence of classic 1980s games. Each level features diverse and visually appealing designs, enhancing the overall aesthetic experience. While the retro graphics are celebrated, some users noted a lack of display options, suggesting that additional features could further improve the visual presentation.

    • “The pixel graphic art style is really good, very detailed with a nice use of colors, designs, and scenery that really captures the look and feel of classic 1980s games. The levels are very good; each level is quite diverse, from a ghost ship to a castle to even the inside of a monster, and each one makes you just want to stop and look at everything.”
    • “From its graphic style to a soundtrack that I can't get out of my head, Lords of Exile is a game made by retro gaming fans for retro gaming fans, and another lesson that Spain has great game developers.”
    • “The game is easier than NES Castlevania, but with similar graphics.”
    • “The game has an extremely convincing NES-era aesthetic and incentivizes methodical gameplay.”
    • “The visual aesthetic does a lot of lifting throughout.”
  • gameplay12 mentions

    The gameplay is praised for its balance of challenge and accessibility, reminiscent of classic 1980s side-scrollers, with engaging mechanics and a retro aesthetic. Players appreciate the fun platforming elements and the introduction of midair jumps, although some feel that certain mechanics, like the shadow system and double jump, can be inconsistent. Overall, the game offers a solid action platforming experience, though some aspects of level design and gimmicks may detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “The gameplay is really good; it's your traditional side scroller where you get from point A to point B while defeating enemies and bosses. Unlike those old school side scrollers that were frustratingly hard, this game strikes the right balance of being challenging yet fair. All it takes is learning the controls, and soon you'll be able to master the game.”
    • “Lords of Exile is a very good retro-styled action platformer that serves as a great love letter to classic 1980s platformers while improving upon them. It features really good gameplay, excellent pixel graphic art style, and engaging enemies and bosses. I highly recommend getting this game if you're interested in school-styled side scrollers.”
    • “The core action platforming gameplay is great and closely mirrors the glory days of NES action platformers in both look and feel.”
    • “50% of the difficulty comes from the double jump just outright deciding, despite being a required mechanic, 'nah, I don't feel like activating right now, guess you'll just die.'”
    • “Looking at the store page, I thought the shadow system was going to be a major gameplay component, but it's barely there.”
    • “Gimmicks that rely on these JoJo stand powers become tedious really fast, by slowing down gameplay.”
  • story7 mentions

    The story in "Lords of Exile" is generally considered average, serving primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a focal point. While players appreciate the retro homage and the introduction of a second character, Lyria, her backstory is revealed too late in the game, leaving players wanting more context from the start. Overall, the narrative does not significantly enhance the experience, but it remains enjoyable for fans of classic platformers.

    • “Also when you beat the game as Gabriel, you unlock another character, a ninja girl named Lyria, who can run and has projectile weapons and her own story.”
    • “Short story - I highly recommend for retro game lovers, and the soundtrack I recommend for anyone who loves great game music.”
    • “Also for the ninja girl Lyria, I wish they had a backstory for her in the beginning; we only find out her story way later in the game, so when we play as her, it would have been appreciated to know what her deal is.”
    • “You play through the same stages, fight the same (mini) bosses, and have basically no difference in story.”
    • “The storyline is okay, but the controls are pretty fluid with the gameplay.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a double-edged sword; while some appreciate the absence of backtracking and grinding that adds variety, others feel that certain gameplay mechanics can become tedious and slow down the overall experience.

    • “At first the game was good, but later on it became too tedious.”
    • “Gimmicks that rely on these JoJo stand powers become tedious really fast, slowing down gameplay.”
    • “I also like the lack of grinding.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Overall, players find that while the game offers some replay value, titles like "Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon" (1 & 2) provide a more engaging and replayable experience. The game is described as short yet enjoyable, but it may not have the depth to encourage multiple playthroughs compared to its competitors.

    • “Short but great with good replay value.”
    • “Buy Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon (1 & 2); they are better than this game and offer more replayability.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is initially light-hearted and enjoyable, but it takes a sharp turn towards frustration and difficulty as players approach the final levels, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “The humor in this game is spot-on, making even the toughest challenges enjoyable.”
    • “I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and absurd situations throughout the game.”
    • “The comedic timing of the characters adds a delightful twist to the gameplay experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Lords of Exile

Videos

Similar Games

Game News