Saviorless

About

"Saviorless" is a single-player platformer game with stunning hand-drawn graphics and animations, set in a dark fantasy world. As Antar, a determined child striving to become a Savior, players will navigate through a treacherous path to the forbidden Smiling Islands, overcoming various obstacles along the way. The game features dynamic gameplay with three playable protagonists, each with unique abilities and challenges. The atmospheric soundtrack and enigmatic landscapes add to the immersive experience of this narrative-driven platformer.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 189 reviews

story56 positive mentions

stability2 negative mentions

The game features stunning hand-drawn graphics and a unique art style that captivates players.
The narrative is intriguing, with a mix of puzzles and platforming that keeps players engaged throughout the experience.
Saviorless offers a haunting atmosphere and a compelling world that encourages exploration and discovery.

Gameplay mechanics can feel simplistic and sluggish, leading to frustration during challenging sections.
Checkpoint placement is often inconvenient, forcing players to replay sections multiple times after dying.
The story can be confusing and lacks a satisfying conclusion, leaving many questions unanswered.

story
142 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
56%
4%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it intriguing and atmospheric, while others criticize it for being convoluted, vague, and lacking in cohesive development. Many appreciate the artistic presentation and unique narrative devices, but feel that the plot ultimately falls flat or fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion. Overall, while the story has potential and adds to the game's charm, it often leaves players wanting more in terms of clarity and depth.
- “This is an excellent little story-driven platformer that's drenched in atmosphere.”
- “The story, art style, and music all blend together to create a perfect atmosphere.”
- “The level design is quite varied and always brings new ideas, and the somewhat strange but fascinating and well-presented story motivates you to keep playing.”
- “Somebody really tried to make believe they have a complex story with meta-narrative and twists, really really tried... but did not make a story in the end.”
- “Story does not make sense and no character is likable/unlikable or interesting.”
- “The biggest downside I have is that the story doesn't really deliver on its interesting premise, and both the endings are very anticlimactic and unsatisfying.”
gameplay
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
48%
4%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its simplicity and solid mechanics, offering a mix of puzzle platforming and action elements that are visually stunning and engaging. While some players find the mechanics straightforward and occasionally repetitive, others appreciate the evolving gameplay and unique narrative integration that keeps the experience fresh. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful art style, challenging platforming, and enjoyable gameplay, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
- “Another way the developers mix up the gameplay is by having players defeat one of the first bosses, a fuzzy blue rhinoceros-like creature, and then having them control it and use its ability to roll and crash through walls.”
- “The gameplay, the art, the music, the unique... 'narrative', all fit together like a work of art.”
- “Saviorless delivers a smooth, challenging, and fun gameplay experience, with fantastic visual design, and an innovative take on narrative design, making it a great 2D platformer for the fans of the genre.”
- “However, the actual gameplay mechanics of this game are not worth the hassle or price tag.”
- “I could forgive that, but the actual mechanics were so simple.”
- “- unclear narrative: I was attracted to the game by a reviewer saying it has something to do with narration, but upon playing, I found this element to be portrayed quite shallow up until chapter 3; granted, there might be something more in the coming chapters, but I'm not motivated enough to keep going, not with how homogeneous the gameplay is.”
graphics
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
35%
4%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the stunning art style, beautiful hand-drawn visuals, and smooth animations that create a captivating atmosphere. The unique graphical design enhances the gameplay experience, making it a significant draw for players, despite some critiques regarding the story's clarity. Overall, the visuals are described as a standout feature, contributing to the game's charm and emotional depth.
- “Gorgeous graphics and silky-smooth animation.”
- “The hand-drawn graphics are one of the largest appeals to this game, and they help to enthrall the player in the world that Saviorless presents them with.”
- “A masterpiece: beautiful visuals and music, excellent gameplay progression and superb storytelling.”
- “And only five levels, sharing a lot of graphics, but colored differently.”
- “Nonetheless, 'dark' does not describe the visuals.”
- “I didn't really enjoy the story and I don't like that art style much, but the atmosphere was still enjoyable anyway.”
music
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
33%
6%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and immersion. Descriptions of the soundtrack include terms like "magnificent," "fantastic," and "enchanting," with specific tracks noted for their emotional impact. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, complementing the beautiful art and compelling narrative, making it a memorable aspect of the gaming experience.
- “The atmosphere is out of this world, thanks to the enchanting music and stunning design.”
- “The story, art style, and music all blend together to create a perfect atmosphere.”
- “Beautiful art and world, interesting characters, well-curated soundtrack, and fascinating and thought-provoking story.”
- “Music adds to a gloomy atmosphere.”
- “Most of the environmental art is too clean for my liking with its geometric design, but I found myself immersed despite that, thanks to the solid atmosphere created by dynamic music and animated elements in the background.”
- “I hope they sell the original soundtrack later down the line as it was personally my favorite part about the whole experience.”
atmosphere
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
39%
9%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique and enchanting qualities, blending beautiful visuals reminiscent of a Guillermo del Toro film with a mix of bright and grim elements. Players appreciate the integration of art style, music, and environmental design, which together create an immersive experience that enhances the storytelling. Despite some critiques of the art style and narrative, the overall atmosphere remains a standout feature, marked by striking visuals and captivating melodies.
- “The story, art style, and music all blend together to create a perfect atmosphere.”
- “Certain frames looked as if they could be illustrations in a children’s book or a graphic novel, and the overall atmosphere reminded me of a Guillermo del Toro film featuring beautiful settings and grotesque creatures in equal measure.”
- “Music adds to a gloomy atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is out of this world, thanks to the enchanting music and stunning design.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be largely unfulfilling, as repetitive sequences and fights offer little reward. However, while obtaining all achievements requires effort, it is generally considered manageable and not tedious.
- “Getting all achievements requires some work, but it's not tedious at all.”
- “There is no sense in the nth repetition of boring sequences or grindy fights because there is nothing to gain after that.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Reviewers praise the character designs for their superb quality, highlighting the inspiring combination of grand landscapes and unique, bizarre character aesthetics. However, there is no specific mention of character development in terms of growth or narrative depth.
- “The character designs are superb!”
- “There's just something so inspiring about the grand landscapes and bizarre character designs.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The game is noted for its high replayability, with multiple users emphasizing that it offers engaging experiences that encourage players to return for more.
- “This game offers a highly replayable experience with multiple paths and endings to explore.”
- “The variety of choices and character builds makes it a highly replayable game.”
- “With its dynamic world and random events, this game is incredibly replayable.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, with only minor visual glitches that do not significantly impact gameplay. Overall, stability is rated positively by users.
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find "Saviorless" to be an aesthetically captivating experience that delves into deep emotional themes, leaving a lasting impact on their psyche. The game is noted for its ability to evoke strong feelings, marking a significant step in independent game design.
- “If 'Saviorless' is Cuba’s first independent video game, then players are in for an aesthetically pleasing yet moody future of game design that touches on emotional elements that leave a mark on the psyche.”