Raider Kid and the Ruby Chest

Really good metroidvania. Pretty short and not too difficult but definitely worth the price. Some pretty clever puzzles, great art and music

Petit metroidvania très sympathique ! J'ai mis environ 3h pour finir (à 100%) ma première partie, pas toujours sûre de ce que je devais faire à 2-3 occasions. Et puis j'y ai rejoué direct. Plutôt court donc, mais aussi charmant niveau graphismes, petite histoire, et exploration. Top quand on a envie d'un platformer sans prise de tête, je me vois bien y rejouer de temps en temps.

It's ok but not great. Nothing about the level design or the gameplay stands out. It's kind of boring. It's also frustrating, sometimes the only way forward is behind a hidden breakable block or an illusory wall. I love when it's for collectibles, upgrades, and even secret zones, but having to hit walls just to progress does not feel great. I didn't like the music much, and some sound effects were uncomfortable. The gameplay is clunky, especially pressing up and x for the spear which is the only weapon that works against bosses after you get it. It's also short, but not like in "short, super polished and packed with content", just short. For that price 3-4 hours would have been better. I didn't wish it was longer, but I expected more interesting gameplay. I don't recommend it but it's fine. I liked the vibe, the simplicity and the humor.

Do you like Metroidvanias? Do you still like them even though the market is absolutely saturated with them? Do you have a soft spot for GBA games? Is your budget a bit tight? And are you looking for something you can finish over a weekend, or even in a single evening? If yes, then Raider Kid and the Ruby Chest is probably worth checking out. Raider Kid is basically a "minivania", a much smaller take on the formula. You can comfortably finish it in under five hours, even if you're going for all the collectibles and achievements. For what it is, I think it's great. The game is very clearly trying to capture the feel of GBA classics, and it absolutely succeeds. Some of the music even reminded me a little of old Commodore 64 soundtracks. The pixel art is charming, the progression feels satisfying, and I had a good time from start to finish. There are a few rough edges. Sometimes the game becomes a bit aimless because it's not always obvious where you're supposed to go next. A few progression-critical paths are hidden behind what feel like secrets, which can be frustrating. Thankfully, the world is so compact that you'll usually stumble across the right path before too long. The bosses are decent, the upgrades feel rewarding, and while the controls are a little stiff, that almost feels intentional, it fits the old-school style the game is going for. One thing I really appreciated is the accessibility and difficulty options. You can make it as easy or as difficult as you want, which is a nice touch and means it's approachable for newcomers while still offering enough challenge for players looking for a more demanding experience. I even picked it up on sale for about half price, and for that cost it felt like an absolute bargain. Raider Kid gives you a few hours of enjoyable exploration for about the price of two cups of coffee.

Fun Game

Cute game. Short but charming. I got 100% completion in a little under 2 hours which is fine for the price. If you like the genre, no reason not to get it. It's a nice afternoon's entertainment.

Great bite-sized metroidvania! Decent challenge and fun upgrades, excited to see what the devs make next!