It’s not usually that we get the possibility to do a cross-platform evaluate. It’s good to see how the identical title ports to completely different techniques, and though on the planet of recent tech, every little thing ought to be equal this isn’t at all times the case. With this in thoughts, my good buddy and colleague Albert Eres and I’ve been taking a peek at Crypt Custodian. a brand-new Metroidvania that’s simply hit our PC and console screens. For the needs of this evaluate, I’ve been having a run on the PS5 model of the sport, while Albert has been seeing what the Swap port has to supply. Let’s see whether or not we each have good issues to say, lets? Alex Southgate Crypt Custodian is a recreation a few cat who has entered the afterlife. For completely silly causes I received’t go into right here, he isn’t allowed into heaven and will get dumped on the planet outdoors The Palace. He’s then given a brush and the duty to scrub up that fairly disagreeable airplane of existence. The story, whereas being a bit of bit on the unusual facet is rather well written and it’s at all times good to play a recreation that doesn’t take itself too significantly. This being stated, there may be nonetheless a specific amount of caprice to the plot that makes the characters you’ll meet alongside the way in which likable. That is one thing that’s fairly laborious to realize in a Metroidvania setting as they have an inclination to revolve round hard-hitting motion and both don’t have a lot of a narrative or have one that matches this style. To see a recreation doing one thing barely completely different is refreshing. Good to know the afterlife has a bar. That is the place you purchase your upgrades. The very first thing I completely love about Crypt Custodian is that it isn’t a side-scrolling affair. A lot of Metroidvanias are platform video games which have been expanded upon. This one is a top-down journey and as somebody who actually isn’t a fan of hectic platforming, that is very welcome. Assume Zelda: A Hyperlink to the Previous and also you’ve form of obtained an concept of what we’re going for. I don’t know precisely why that is however I discover leaping from place to position from a top-down viewpoint way more correct, and this takes quite a lot of the frustration away. As with every Metroidvania, you received’t be capable to entry the entire areas of the map from the start of the sport. This makes back-tracking a should but additionally implies that you received’t run into something you may’t deal with too early on. You aren’t going to get misplaced and end up dealing with odds means above your capability as a result of these areas might be locked away from you till you’ve realized the abilities to succeed in them. By this level, try to be geared up to cope with what you’re dealing with. This creates an odd paradox. This isn’t by any means a linear recreation and exploration isn’t just inspired however crucial, however on the identical time you may’t simply go wherever and do something which makes the zones you may discover absolutely really feel manageable. That is nice since you don’t ever really feel overfaced by what Crypt Custodian has in retailer. That appears too massive to leap. Properly, this can be a Metroidvania in spite of everything. Crypt Custodian blends motion with puzzle-solving completely. These of you who simply wish to get into the thick of it should undoubtedly be capable to scratch that violent itch however combating by no means feels so tough that you simply wish to break the controller. Equally, the puzzles on this title are sufficient to make you scratch your head with out feeling like they’ve been made overly difficult for the sake of it. If a puzzle is taking you too lengthy to finish it most likely isn’t that you simply don’t know what you’re doing, however fairly that you simply’ve missed one thing pretty easy that you simply’ll spot after a couple of tries. That is one thing that, once more, I admire as a result of this mix of puzzle-solving and beating issues up with a brush creates the proper tempo to maintain you hooked. See what number of you will discover in your journey. One thing that I feel will assist maintain Crypt Custodian’s gameplay refreshing is the quantity of issues there are to search out and accumulate. A few of these are improve factors that is perhaps hidden behind gated puzzles or in sections of the map you received’t be capable to discover initially. These are clearly actually vital as a result of they’ll support the passive talents you should purchase through the recreation. It’s also possible to accumulate cats. These pleasant felines are hidden in jars dotted across the map and if you will discover all of them and convey them again to their mum you’ll be rewarded. The truth that these are sometimes off the overwhelmed path implies that in case you’re caught or desire a break from the world you’re battling by means of you may at all times return and search for the bits you’ve missed. There are useful warp factors across the map that make back-tracking really feel simple so there’s no ache in re-exploring the locations you’ve already been. Talking of warp factors … these are wells from which it can save you, equip talents, and teleport. That is additionally the very first thing you’ll wish to discover when discovering a brand new space. The issue is you’ve obtained no concept the place the following one is. This can be a great way of getting the adrenaline pumping as a result of in case you don’t discover your subsequent secure level immediately or occur to go within the fallacious path whereas exploring you might need quite a lot of work to do earlier than you will discover one other. This may put you within the place of not having quite a lot of life and understanding you’re in unknown territory. As you don’t wish to undo all of your laborious work by getting booted to the final one, the sensation of reduction while you discover these is usually palpable. Wells are very important to exploration. Crypt Custodian‘s graphics have a cute, arcade really feel, the sound is nice and it controls like a dream on PS5. I’m fairly hit-and-miss with the Metroidvania style, largely on account of not liking platform video games a lot; largely as a result of I’m not superb at them. I didn’t get the standard feeling of frustration taking part in this one and simply wished to see what I used to be going to come across subsequent. I feel in case you like this form of gameplay this title goes to be proper up your avenue. Crypt Custodian has a 90s RPG really feel to it which I additionally like loads and parts of gameplay deliver again some actually fond recollections. This being stated, I’d name this recreation a win, for me no less than. It’s a implausible new addition to my library that I’m certain I’ll return and end. Total Rating: 9/10 Albert Eres Crypt Custodian is definitely a breath of recent air for a newcomer into an motion style that’s at the moment closely saturated with Soulslike video games. Whereas it takes heavy inspiration from two legendary retro recreation sequence, specifically Zelda and Metroid, the sport units itself aside with a customizable expertise that many informal players would admire and luxuriate in. It additionally helps that Crypt Custodian has a captivating story and premise that includes the Neko (i.e., cats). The map. You’ll be utilizing it loads. The primary gameplay aspect in Crypt Custodian that’s considerable is that whatever the chosen issue, enemies that spit out projectiles may have indicators of the place their assaults are going. Most motion video games these days, (I’m you Soulslike video games,) need gamers to “git gud” and predict assaults to keep away from them. Crypt Custodian doesn’t anticipate gamers to be psychic and lays assaults the place they are often averted simply. That’s to not say that the fight within the recreation is simple; some projectiles lash out rapidly and a few enemies aggro like loopy. This being stated, no less than some predictability is current, which is sweet for somebody who needs to simply get pleasure from an motion recreation. The opposite gameplay facet that’s most pleasing about Crypt Custodian is the gameplay help choices that permit for the customization of parts like assault energy, fall injury, and further well being. For some informal players, that is the distinction between ending a recreation whereas having loved the expertise and ragequitting. It’s disappointing when players don’t persevere with a recreation when it has an fascinating narrative and artwork fashion merely on account of its issue. It must be stated that Crypt Custodian has each. The one difficulty that I discovered on the Swap port, (presumably a bug,) is that after activating some help choices, they revert again to the unique after navigating by means of a couple of screens. One of many nicest help choices in Crypt Custodian is the additional time on puzzles. More often than not, issue settings in motion video games relate to enemies’ assaults and patterns and don’t account for puzzles. This selection permits gamers to have extra time when finishing timed puzzles which are usually very tight. Even when many of the timed puzzles are optionally available (often for an improve level), it’s good to know that one doesn’t should be a platforming and puzzle professional to finish them. I ponder what he’s as much as. Properly, you may see for yourselves. Crypt Custodian is a wonderful advice for anybody who’s an informal gamer, a fan of Zelda and Metroid, a lover of cats, or the entire above. There are quite a lot of issues to get pleasure from concerning the recreation, and making it a breeze to get by means of the more durable elements of it’s simply the cherry on the highest. Total Rating: 9/10 Virtually Purrfect 9/10 Cats go to heaven Crypt Custodian is a homage to traditional RPG and puzzle gameplay. The story is enthralling, gameplay is enjoyable and addictive they usually aren’t making an attempt to ramp up the problem as a result of it’s the performed factor. The truth that we each had an immense quantity of enjoyable with this recreation on two completely different techniques speaks volumes. This title isn’t doing something massively new with the style however what it’s doing, it’s doing completely. When you just like the Metroidvania fashion, this a recreation that you simply completely should get your claws into.