The Messenger

Pristine character movement combines with excellent levels and great humor for a must-have Switch game.

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The Messenger is a thrilling single-player platformer game, where a young ninja must deliver a crucial scroll to save his clan. The game starts as a classic action platformer, set in a cursed world, but soon evolves into a humorous time-traveling adventure filled with surprises. As the demon army threatens his village, the ninja's journey unfolds across different timelines, offering an expansive and engaging plot.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,220 reviews

music1,108 positive mentions

grinding135 negative mentions

The game features tight controls and fluid movement mechanics, making platforming enjoyable.
The humor and witty dialogue throughout the game add charm and keep players engaged.
The transition between 8-bit and 16-bit graphics and music is a unique and well-executed mechanic.

The second half of the game relies heavily on backtracking, which can become tedious and frustrating.
Some boss fights are either too easy or feel like a chore, lacking the challenge expected from a platformer.
The lack of fast travel options in the metroidvania section can lead to excessive repetition of previously completed areas.

music
1,827 mentions
61 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "The Messenger" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy chiptune soundtrack that seamlessly transitions between 8-bit and 16-bit styles as players progress through the game. Composed by rainbowdragoneyes, the soundtrack is described as energetic and memorable, enhancing the overall gameplay experience and evoking nostalgia for classic platformers. While some players noted occasional repetitiveness, the majority found the music to be a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “The music and graphics are absolutely top-notch, easily ranking up alongside titans such as Shovel Knight.”
- “The soundtrack is a masterpiece, and the story is perfect.”
- “The music is phenomenal, I mean banger after banger.”
- “The soundtrack is derivative, generic, and repetitive.”
- “I found the music either annoying or forgettable.”
- “The music is quite appropriate, but dare I say in a few boss fights it was a bit grating (hey, that's how retro game music goes sometimes).”
gameplay
1,672 mentions
47 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Messenger" has received a mixed reception, with many praising its tight controls, fluid mechanics, and engaging platforming that combines elements from classic titles like Ninja Gaiden and Metroidvania games. Players appreciate the innovative "cloudstep" mechanic, which allows for mid-air jumps after hitting enemies, and the seamless transition between 8-bit and 16-bit graphics that enhances the gameplay experience. However, some critiques focus on the game's pacing, repetitive elements, and occasional frustrating mechanics, particularly in the latter half where backtracking becomes more prominent. Overall, while the gameplay is generally seen as enjoyable and well-crafted, it may not appeal to everyone due to its difficulty and design choices.
- “The gameplay was great, the music was awesome, and the story was funny and clever. 9/10”
- “Agile gameplay where combat and parkour often merge together, a lot of secrets to find, beautiful art styles and music, fun character writing, a good challenge, an absolute pleasure to play!”
- “The gameplay is a delightful mix of old-school platforming and modern-day humor.”
- “It's full of cheap instant death traps and unfunny meta humor; furthermore, the gameplay is repetitive.”
- “The gameplay is really linear and the combat system is extremely shallow.”
- “The gameplay can't sustain a combat system this simple for this long.”
story
1,276 mentions
46 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "The Messenger" is a blend of humor and clever writing, featuring a classic hero's journey that evolves into a more complex narrative filled with unexpected twists and engaging character interactions. While the initial premise is straightforward, the plot deepens as players progress, incorporating elements of time travel and fourth-wall breaks that enhance the experience. However, some players noted that the latter half of the game can feel repetitive due to backtracking and fetch quests, which may detract from the overall narrative flow.
- “The story is well-written and engaging, making the game's progression rewarding and meaningful.”
- “The story is quirky and doesn't take itself seriously, and the game is chock-full of humor. This is one of the few games that makes me laugh every time I fall into a pit or get crushed by a moving pillar.”
- “The story is surprisingly strong, with several well-done plot twists and tons of self-aware moments.”
- “The latter half of the game requires so much backtracking that I literally had forgotten where I was in the storyline after spending 2 hours straight bouncing back and forth on already completed stages to find lost villagers and hidden items.”
- “The only thing I didn't like all that much about the story was how so much of the mystery of what's going on is left totally unexplained, with no or very few clues, until the game's '11th hour' where you get this whole massive lore dump all at once explaining the why behind the whole game's story.”
- “The story is equally underwhelming.”
humor
1,142 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "The Messenger" is widely praised for its clever writing, engaging dialogue, and self-aware, fourth-wall-breaking jokes that often elicit genuine laughter. Many players highlight the interactions with the shopkeeper as particularly entertaining, showcasing a blend of witty banter and philosophical musings. While some find the humor hit-or-miss, the overall consensus is that it adds a delightful charm to the gameplay experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The messenger is a masterful blend of nostalgia and modern design, paying homage to classic side-scrolling platformers while introducing clever twists and a unique sense of humor.”
- “The writing, visuals, music, and moment-to-moment gameplay all come together to create a stellar experience that I've thoroughly enjoyed — especially the witty humor which never ceased to amuse me.”
- “The humor in this game is worth the price of admission alone.”
- “It's full of cheap instant death traps and unfunny meta humor; furthermore, the gameplay is repetitive.”
- “Tedious, unfunny, boring.”
- “The dialogue is crammed with unfunny jokes.”
graphics
742 mentions
50 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "The Messenger" are widely praised for their beautiful pixel art, effectively transitioning between 8-bit and 16-bit styles as part of the gameplay and narrative. This duality not only enhances the nostalgic feel but also serves as a clever mechanic that influences level design and music, creating a visually engaging experience. Overall, the game's aesthetic is celebrated for its vibrant detail and smooth animations, making it a standout in the retro platformer genre.
- “The game's transition from 8-bit to 16-bit graphics as the story progresses is a highlight, with beautifully crafted pixel art and a dynamic chiptune soundtrack that perfectly matches the retro aesthetic.”
- “The pixel art graphics pay homage to classic platformers of the past, while the gameplay mechanics offer a fresh twist on the genre.”
- “That said, I really wish the developers just cut the game shorter and avoided padding the 2nd half of the game where it enters 16-bit graphics.”
- “The graphics switch between 8-bit and 16-bit, which is both a nostalgic trip and a clever way to keep things fresh.”
- “The graphics are very simple like Shovel Knight but not terrible like Axion Verge.”
grinding
140 mentions
1 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The reviews consistently highlight that the game's grinding, particularly in the form of backtracking, becomes tedious and repetitive, especially in the latter half. Players express frustration with the lack of fast travel options and the design of the map, which contributes to a sense of monotony and boredom as they revisit previously explored areas. While some enjoy the initial gameplay, many feel that the excessive backtracking detracts from the overall experience, making it feel like a chore rather than an engaging adventure.
- “For the completionists, the achievements aren't grindy; in fact, you can do all of them in a single playthrough if you're smart enough, except one or two which require New Game Plus.”
- “I understand that the player needs to backtrack and visit the older areas in this game, but I found the backtracking very tedious and boring.”
- “What could have been an interesting twist on the traditional platformer formula instead devolves into a series of tedious backtracking puzzles that do more to frustrate than entertain.”
- “The only complaint is that it's easy to spend a lot of time wandering around figuring out what to do next, and getting from one place to another can be tedious.”
replayability
52 mentions
35 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its engaging level design, hidden collectibles, and new game+ features that enhance replay value. While some reviews highlight the potential for speedrunning and additional content through DLC, others criticize the base game's replayability as lacking. Overall, it seems that players who enjoy completionist challenges and speedrunning will find ample replayability, while casual players may not feel compelled to revisit the game extensively.
- “The inclusion of hidden collectibles and secrets adds replayability, making every playthrough a fresh adventure.”
- “The icing on the cake is there are several areas of the game you cannot get to on the first playthrough, granting this game solid replay value.”
- “Boasting tight controls and fast-paced game mechanics, this game promises to deliver an amazing experience for any lover of the action platformer genre with a high replay value that will not let you down on each run.”
- “Let's not even talk about the replayability, it's horrible!”
- “Replayability: 2/5”
- “There's not much in the way of replayability.”
emotional
45 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its nostalgic charm, heartfelt storytelling, and engaging characters, which evoke a range of feelings from joy to sadness. Players appreciate the meticulously crafted gameplay and music that enhance the overall experience, often leaving them with a sense of fulfillment and warmth. The blend of humor and philosophical moments adds depth, making it a touching tribute to classic gaming while also providing a fun and challenging adventure.
- “What a gem, this game has so much love and dedication put into it that I could not stop having this wholesome feeling while playing it and when I finished it.”
- “The depth of the characters, the humor, the philosophical stories, and the vulnerability of the writer was truly touching, unexpected, and inspirational.”
- “The story and dialogues are pretty funny and neat, each boss has a different personality where after you defeat them some of them become your friends and they once got me emotional.”
atmosphere
29 mentions
48 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating music, charming pixel art, and a blend of humor and seriousness that enhances the overall experience. While many players appreciate the nostalgic 8-bit and 16-bit vibes, some feel that the silly tone and repetitive level design detract from immersion. Overall, the game's unique charm and engaging sound design create a memorable and enjoyable atmosphere, despite some mixed opinions on its execution.
- “The captivating music and sound design created an immersive atmosphere, heightening the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- “The visual art of this game is astounding; it manages to match with the soundtrack perfectly on every stage, creating an atmosphere where you feel completely immersed in the game.”
- “The humor, the action, the worlds, atmosphere, and soundtrack are all amazing!”
- “But everything else is not: the overall silly tone ruins the atmosphere; the end bosses even have cute faces, etc. The levels are merely forest, temple, forest, temple, forest... the music feels too Halloween-themed.”
- “If you're looking for well-built worlds with heavy atmosphere, this will probably disappoint you.”
- “For me, it destroys the 'immersion' and otherwise rather serious look and atmosphere of the game.”
stability
16 mentions
25 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
69 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with users reporting minor glitches and bugs that occasionally disrupt gameplay, particularly during cutscenes or scenery changes. While some players experienced issues like wall grabbing bugs and music freeze-repeats, others noted that these did not significantly hinder the overall experience. A few reviews highlighted a bug-free experience, indicating that stability can vary depending on individual gameplay conditions.
- “This game runs great on the GPD Win, allowing you to play à la Switch, both portably and on the big screen.”
- “Bug free.”
- “Wonderful, hilarious, difficult, fair, tight, bug free (yeah yeah, two words I know), memorable.”
- “The game also suffers with some weird bugs and glitches which the developer seemed to have overlooked, but they don't hinder the game at all.”
- “Sometimes the game has minor freezes, and the music freeze-repeats randomly as well, which can put a temporary break to your headbops, but I haven't had a single game-breaking bug either, and the freezes never happened during moments of gameplay, only cutscenes or scenery changes.”
- “The level design is poor, but it is also extremely buggy.”
optimization
11 mentions
27 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it performs flawlessly for speedrunning and has some commendable aspects, the second half suffers from severe performance issues and is not optimized for 144hz monitors. Additionally, the metroidvania elements are criticized for poor level design that hampers efficient exploration. Overall, players have experienced both impressive optimization and frustrating performance inconsistencies.
- “X surprisingly optimized.”
- “The game is optimized for speedrunning, so there's that.”
- “I'm sure there may be similar types of bugs that speedrunners exploit, but in terms of performance, this game is essentially flawless.”
- “The second half has severe performance issues.”
- “The metroidvania part of the game is not exactly excellent due to the level designs not optimized for efficient exploration.”
- “This game is not optimized for 144hz monitors.”
character development
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised, with reviewers highlighting superb dialogue and well-executed character arcs that enhance the deeper narrative. The character design is noted for its originality and inspiration, contributing to an immersive experience alongside engaging mechanics and a captivating soundtrack. Overall, the game excels in creating a rich world that elevates its characters beyond typical retro-style offerings.
- “The development team has crafted a wonderful world to inhabit with great character design, awesome platforming, stellar music score, fun mechanics, and a sprawling narrative that is far deeper than you are set up to believe.”
- “The dialogues are superb and character development is executed perfectly, and the humor is great.”
- “A nod to the franchise 'Ninja Gaiden,' this game goes above and beyond in terms of fluidity, storyline, music, character development, controls, enemies, etc. I am in love with its art style, the characters, bosses, and enemies, each of which are all inspired and original.”
- “The plot is something I'll pass on because retro style games are low-hanging fruit when it comes to story or character development criticism.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's monetization model for being free of microtransactions, loot boxes, and pay-to-win mechanics, contrasting it positively with many recent AAA titles that prioritize profit over gameplay. This approach is seen as a refreshing change, focusing on delivering a complete gaming experience without the pressure of additional purchases.
- “After a litany of AAA games that pump their titles full of microtransactions, loot boxes, and pay-to-win mechanics, it's frustrating to see this trend continue.”
- “It's finally so refreshing to play a game that is just a game, not a cash cow, not a greedy cash grab, and not a live service.”
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend more money.”