Death's Door

Played through entirely on console. Bought here to play through entirely again. Good game.

Death's Door is exactly the kind of game I'd been looking for: an isometric action/adventure with tight combat, environmental puzzles, and an art style that makes you stop and stare. Think 2D Zelda or Tunic, published under the Devolver Digital banner — that should tell you everything you need to know. You play as a nameless Crow working as a Reaper for a bureaucratic soul-harvesting commission. When a stolen soul leads you to a mysterious locked door, you're sent on a quest to collect three souls from creatures who have lived far beyond their time. The story is charming and surprisingly thoughtful, touching on the duality of life and death while keeping things light with a cast of wonderfully eccentric characters. Combat is simple but satisfying — light and heavy attacks, a dodge, and four unlockable abilities (bow, fire magic, bomb, hook) that are all equally useful in both combat and exploration. Enemy patterns aren't overly complex, but they reward patience and observation. Level design is a highlight throughout, packed with secrets and hidden passages that make exploration genuinely rewarding. The lack of a map makes backtracking slightly cumbersome, though the game is compact enough that it never becomes a real issue. The soundtrack deserves a special mention — subtle, atmospheric, and always perfectly matched to what's happening on screen. The cartoon art style hides an incredible attention to detail that puts many bigger titles to shame. Finishing the main story (around ten hours) opens up a substantial post-game, though the game's tendency to under-explain things becomes more noticeable here. A minor flaw in an otherwise excellent package. Highly recommended.