Astalon: Tears of the Earth

great game, great story, music is remarkable 11/10

Nice little game. Never played episode 1 (where ever that is). It's good but nothing memorable. I don't recommend getting all achievements because it is grindy as hell and so not worth it.

Very solid metroidvania with good progression and level design. Lots of skills to unlock and exploring the vast tower was always fun. Can recommend to buy

I HIGHLY recommend this game. The story is simple, the controls are tight, and the characters are incredibly fun to play with and level up. I also love some of the conversations they have around the campfire.

A rough-around-the-edges but good Metroidvania. It can be hard at times, and if you don't like repetition, you should probably avoid it. But if you enjoy exploring, feeling lost occasionally, going back and forth, and struggling through certain sections, go for it. Boss encounters are few, and most of them are fairly easy. You can also cheese a lot of enemies. The real difficulty comes from the game constantly chipping away at your health with every mistake until you eventually die and have to make your way back to where you were. Learning how to turn those failed attempts into good EXP farming runs, and figuring out how to get back on your feet after making mistakes, is essential. Thankfully, the game gives you enough ways to gain EXP that you rarely feel completely stuck. But be warned: the game is rough, and its death-and-retrace gimmick can be punishing. You unlock plenty of shortcuts along the way, but the maze-like and same-y nature of the map can still make you go, "Where the ♥♥♥♥ was I supposed to go?" or "Where was that room again?"

A well-made Metroidvania, in the subgenre where you control three dudes ([spoiler]with two additional dudes recruitable later on[/spoiler]) with different abilities. Highlights are epic boss fights, fantastic graphics (with clear inspiration from [i]La-Mulana[/i]), and a great soundtrack. Low points include extremely limited fast travel, which results in tedious backtracking to find obscure power-ups. Switching characters is also obnoxious- you can only do it at a campfire, which often requires dragging your butt back if you bring the wrong character for a given puzzle. Later in the game you get the ability to switch on the fly, which helps a lot, but also leaves me miffed that I couldn't have this ability at the start. The game is also incredibly stingy with HP restoration- you get an occasional meal at camp, but other than that your only reliable source is candles with healing pickups- which are ONE USE unless you pay a fee in orbs (EXP) to restore them. This kinda makes sense, since orbs can only be traded for new skills and abilities after dying, but you respawn only at the entrance, and see above about limited fast travel and excessive backtracking. These annoyances keep [i]Astalon[/i] from being S-tier, but there is still plenty of fun to be had inside the twisting Tower of the Gorgons. Worth it if you're a fan of the genre.

A striking blend of atmosphere, challenge, and world building defines this adventure, offering a journey through a tower filled with danger, mystery, and carefully crafted environments. Each floor introduces new threats, new secrets, and new opportunities for clever navigation, creating a steady sense of momentum that keeps exploration engaging from beginning to end. Combat delivers satisfying weight and precision, with enemies that demand attention and timing. Every encounter feels purposeful, encouraging thoughtful movement and rewarding mastery of each character’s distinct abilities. Layered mechanics ensure that every return to a familiar area brings fresh possibilities, deepening the sense of progression. Environmental design stands out with rich pixel artistry, evocative lighting, and memorable set pieces that give each region a unique identity. Music reinforces the mood with atmospheric melodies that elevate tension, discovery, and triumph. The overall presentation reflects exceptional care and craftsmanship. A compelling upgrade system ties the experience together, offering meaningful growth that enhances exploration and combat without overwhelming the core flow. Each improvement feels earned, adding depth to the journey and encouraging continued experimentation. This adventure shines as a polished, heartfelt creation filled with challenge, charm, and lasting appeal. A strong recommendation goes to anyone seeking a thoughtful blend of dungeon crawling, exploration, and classic action design.