TEAM REVIEW / Crypt Custodian (PS5/Change)

It’s not usually that we get the prospect to do a cross-platform assessment. It’s good to see how the identical title ports to completely different techniques, and though on this planet of recent tech, the whole lot 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 assessment, I’ve been having a run on the PS5 model of the sport, while Albert has been seeing what the Change 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 couple of cat who has entered the afterlife. For completely silly causes I gained’t go into right here, he isn’t allowed into heaven and will get dumped on this planet exterior The Palace. He’s then given a brush and the duty to scrub up that reasonably disagreeable aircraft of existence. The story, whereas being a bit of bit on the unusual aspect is rather well written and it’s at all times good to play a recreation that doesn’t take itself too severely. This being stated, there may be nonetheless a certain quantity 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 exhausting to attain in a Metroidvania setting as they have a tendency 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.

The very first thing I completely love about Crypt Custodian is that it isn’t a side-scrolling affair. A number of Metroidvanias are platform video games which were 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. Suppose Zelda: A Hyperlink to the Previous and also you’ve form of bought an concept of what we’re going for. I don’t know precisely why that is however I discover leaping from place to put from a top-down viewpoint far more correct, and this takes a number of the frustration away.

As with every Metroidvania, you gained’t have the ability to entry all the areas of the map from the start of the sport. This makes back-tracking a should but additionally implies that you gained’t run into something you’ll be able to’t deal with too early on. You aren’t going to get misplaced and end up dealing with odds approach above your capability as a result of these areas might be locked away from you till you’ve discovered the talents to succeed in them. By this level, you ought to be outfitted to cope with what you’re dealing with. This creates an odd paradox. This isn’t by any means a linear recreation and exploration is not only inspired however crucial, however on the similar time you’ll be able to’t simply go anyplace and do something which makes the zones you’ll be able to discover totally really feel manageable. That is nice since you don’t ever really feel overfaced by what Crypt Custodian has in retailer.

Crypt Custodian blends motion with puzzle-solving completely. These of you who simply wish to get into the thick of it’ll undoubtedly have the ability to scratch that violent itch however preventing by no means feels so tough that you just 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 sophisticated for the sake of it. If a puzzle is taking you too lengthy to finish it most likely isn’t that you just don’t know what you’re doing, however reasonably that you just’ve missed one thing pretty easy that you just’ll spot after a number of tries. That is one thing that, once more, I recognize as a result of this mix of puzzle-solving and beating issues up with a brush creates the proper tempo to maintain you hooked.

One thing that I feel will assist maintain Crypt Custodian’s gameplay refreshing is the quantity of issues there are to seek out and gather. A few of these are improve factors that is perhaps hidden behind gated puzzles or in sections of the map you gained’t have the ability to discover initially. These are clearly actually essential as a result of they may assist the passive talents you should buy through the recreation. You may also gather cats. These pleasant felines are hidden in jars dotted across the map and if you’ll find all of them and produce them again to their mum you’ll be rewarded. The truth that these are sometimes off the crushed path implies that should you’re caught or desire a break from the realm you’re battling by you’ll be able to 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 straightforward 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 bought no concept the place the following one is. This can be a great way of getting the adrenaline pumping as a result of should you don’t discover your subsequent secure level right away or occur to go within the flawed path whereas exploring you might need a number of work to do earlier than you’ll find one other. This may put you within the place of not having a number of life and understanding you’re in unknown territory. As you don’t wish to undo all of your exhausting work by getting booted to the final one, the sensation of reduction if you discover these is usually palpable.

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; principally as a result of I’m not superb at them. I didn’t get the same old feeling of frustration enjoying this one and simply wished to see what I used to be going to come across subsequent. I feel should 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 so much and parts of gameplay carry again some actually fond recollections. This being stated, I’d name this recreation a win, for me at the least. It’s a implausible new addition to my library that I’m positive I’ll return and end.

Total Rating: 9/10

Albert Eres

Crypt Custodian is actually 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 collection, particularly Zelda and Metroid, the sport units itself aside with a customizable expertise that many informal avid gamers would recognize and luxuriate in. It additionally helps that Crypt Custodian has a captivating story and premise that entails the Neko (i.e., cats).

The primary gameplay ingredient in Crypt Custodian that’s considerable is that whatever the chosen problem, enemies that spit out projectiles could have indicators of the place their assaults are going. Most motion video games these days, (I’m taking a look at you Soulslike video games,) need gamers to “git gud” and predict assaults to keep away from them. Crypt Custodian doesn’t count on gamers to be psychic and lays assaults the place they are often prevented simply. That’s to not say that the fight within the recreation is straightforward; some projectiles lash out rapidly and a few enemies aggro like loopy. This being stated, at the least some predictability is current, which is nice for somebody who desires to only take pleasure in an motion recreation.

The opposite gameplay side that’s most satisfying about Crypt Custodian is the gameplay help choices that permit for the customization of parts like assault energy, fall harm, and additional well being. For some informal avid gamers, that is the distinction between ending a recreation whereas having loved the expertise and ragequitting. It’s disappointing when avid gamers don’t persevere with a recreation when it has an attention-grabbing narrative and artwork model merely on account of its problem. It needs to be stated that Crypt Custodian has each. The one concern that I discovered on the Change port, (presumably a bug,) is that after activating some help choices, they revert again to the unique after navigating by a number of screens.

One of many nicest help choices in Crypt Custodian is the additional time on puzzles. More often than not, problem settings in motion video games relate to enemies’ assaults and patterns and don’t account for puzzles. This selection permits gamers to have further time when finishing timed puzzles which can be usually very tight. Even when many of the timed puzzles are non-compulsory (often for an improve level), it’s good to know that one doesn’t need to be a platforming and puzzle skilled to finish them.

Crypt Custodian is a superb suggestion for anybody who’s an off-the-cuff gamer, a fan of Zelda and Metroid, a lover of cats, or all the above. There are a number of issues to take pleasure in concerning the recreation, and making it a breeze to get by the tougher components of it’s simply the cherry on the highest.

Total Rating: 9/10