Medusa
- November 29, 2022
- radgu8
"Medusa" is a classic Metroidvania-style game where you help Medusa search for the Ancient Sludge. Explore eight distinct regions, acquiring unique abilities and spells, while battling a variety of enemies in each location. With 100% completion taking at least 5 hours, this game offers a substantial adventure for players to delve into. Map example included.
Reviews
- The game features a fun and creative set of upgrades, including unique abilities like transforming into a snake and summoning a chariot.
- Smooth and responsive gameplay with decent level design, providing a sizeable world map to explore.
- The game is fairly priced for the content it offers, making it a good value, especially during sales.
- Traversal can be cumbersome, and the need to frequently switch abilities through the menu can be annoying.
- The graphics and sound design are inconsistent, with low-quality pixel art and jarring sound effects that detract from the experience.
- Combat can be frustrating due to poor balance, awkward hit detection, and the absence of boss fights.
- story4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the games reviewed varies significantly, with titles like "Blast Brigade" and "SteamWorld Dig 2" receiving praise for their engaging narratives, while others, such as "Rain World" and "Dandara," are criticized for having minimal or poorly developed storylines. Many players noted that some games feature a sparse narrative structure, often reduced to a simple premise and conclusion, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the effectiveness of the story in these games ranges from compelling to virtually nonexistent.
“The story is engaging and well-crafted, drawing players into a rich narrative that unfolds beautifully throughout the game.”
“The character development is impressive, with each character having their own unique backstory that adds depth to the overall plot.”
“The twists and turns in the storyline kept me on the edge of my seat, making it hard to put the game down.”
“The story is effectively nonexistent, with a single blurb about a macguffin at the start and a similarly short 'you found it' line at the end.”
“In hopes of offering a general overview without spoiling too much, the story is as spartan as the presentation.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics feature a low-fi, early 8-bit pixel art style that lacks charm due to limited animation and inconsistent biome aesthetics. Additionally, many enemies do not visually align with their respective environments, detracting from the overall coherence of the game's visual presentation.
“The graphics feature a low-fi, early 8-bit style pixel art that, while charming, is hindered by exceptionally limited animation.”
“The biomes are visually distinct, showcasing a variety of aesthetics that contribute to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
“The design of the enemies in each biome adds a unique flair, enhancing the visual diversity of the game.”
“The graphics are a low-fi, early 8-bit style pixel art that falls just on the wrong side of charming, made worse by exceptionally limited animation.”
“Aesthetically, the biomes have no logical consistency between each other.”
“Many of the enemies in each biome don't aesthetically fit there.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a commendable chiptune soundtrack that enhances the experience, complemented by well-designed, labyrinthine level layouts. However, the sound effects are criticized for being jarring and inconsistent, with some failing to respond to the sound slider settings.
“Highlights include an actually fairly good chiptune soundtrack and decent level design with a labyrinthine layout of branching passages.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report mixed experiences with stability; while some enjoy smooth gameplay without crashes, others encounter significant issues, particularly with the chariot item, which can lead to glitches and softlocks.
“The chariot item is prone to causing serious glitches and softlocks.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its smooth and responsive mechanics, complemented by well-designed levels that enhance the overall experience.
“Smooth, responsive gameplay and good level design.”
“The controls are intuitive, making it easy to jump right in and enjoy the experience.”
“Each level offers unique challenges that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.”