The Malice Kingdom

Entertaining platforming adventure game with you exploring a variety of biomes/locations and roughing up the inhabitants as you go about your quest. The platforming isn't anything exceptionally hard (for the four or five areas I've been in) though the lack of native controller support is a definite knock against it. Fortunately, Steam allows you to bind keyboard controls to a controller. Various enemies to be fought, new weapons to be found or purchased, upgrades (both stat and movement) and boss fights with their own gimmicks. Aside from the boss fights, it generally felt low-key and relaxing to jump around and explore the pleasant indie pixel drawn world. Sound/music doesn't hold up as well with short repeated loops but I wouldn't say it detracts from the experience. All in all, I've been enjoying it and aside from the controller issue, think it's a nice little low-priced gaming experience.

I've watched this game develop and grow so much, I am so grateful that I was long for the ride as a play tester. Really fun game, definitely worth the money. Plus I am somewhere in the game so y'know, that makes the game candidate for game of the year.

Xbox controller wasn't supported so I reluctantly went with its mouse and keyboard controls. Exploration is needlessly frustrating. There's a 'map' option on the pause screen but it doesn't work (perhaps obtained later in the game) ..which is a pity, because the game is pretty maze-like, with lots of different exits and entrances. Music loops are far too short (and therefor aggravatingly repetitive). Controls are a little wonky. Visuals look nice/interesting sometimes but many screens look very samey (another factor that makes me wish I started with a map). Can't say the game has done much to ingratiate itself to me, I don't want to endure any more of it.

Honestly, bought this game as a joke. Saw it in the new steam releases and though I would give a small developer game a try. It was short and sweet. Did not over due it and gave me about what I think it should have. 8/10, but worth a play

i did le bleeps and blips and boops for this pixel moving thing

This game is really good. Really good lore that you are gradually introduced to. Some of the platforming is a bit tricky, but finally getting it is rewarding. The bosses are difficult, but fun, and the game is really beginner friendly as far as souls games go. The combat system leaves some to be desired, but as far as an indie game goes, it isn't bad. Over all, I think that the game is great and you should get it asap

eww

I am not sure if I am perhaps overrating this by giving a positive since it's a rather janky game, but one I feel does just enough to be memorable over several others which come across as much blander. I overall enjoyed my time with it and do think there's potential for a pretty good game in here. Anyways, this starts out seemingly being a Soulsvania, and while there's obviously a fair bit of influence there, it really doesn't do either of its influences all that well. For starters in the Metroidvania side, two and a half areas and three (four if you explore a bit) bosses in you've gotten all ability upgrades in the game: a horizontal dash and a less than satisfying wall jump (of the infinitely spammable variety). After that you are free to go pretty much in any direction you please with a fair bit of the map being technically optional. Areas are intentionally rather mazey with several routes being redundant (map pickups are available within each area, either plainly or sold in a couple of cases), though checking nooks and crannies can lead to nice discoveries. As for Souls influence, the game can be punishing, but exploring does reward you with a large amount of upgrades. The weapons are a bit of a letdown as most handle functionally the same (there are some differences in speed and range, as well as a couple extras) and the one you end up using ends up being whichever deals more damage at the time. There's no dedicated iframe dodge, but most of the time combat is about positioning. Bosses have wide enough ranges of attacks, but sometimes the line between fighting smart and just cheesing blurs. There's definitely strategy to be had, but plenty of things feel like they could have some balancing for best execution: several attacks are barely telegraphed, while others are basically free damage windows. The biggest asterisk for the game is the platforming. Most necessary platforming is actually on the easy side, but whenever the game sets you with platforming challenges the lack of polish is felt the most, and things very often seem to not line up as they should (you end up very often over or undershooting platforms). These are generally not that hard to pull off eventually, but you always feel like you lucked into the right positioning rather than fully understood them. There's one particular one challenge that's timed and while coming back to it is relatively fast, it does get frustrating repeating plenty of level to have another go at it. Characters are written well enough and I do think most have their charm. Most get only one conversation per room where they're found (some move on elsewhere, others stay mute for the rest of the game), but there's enough development for them to feel like welcome additions to your travels. There are no real questlines in the game, but there are some events throughout to spice things up. Finally, lore. Yeah, it's pretty generic as far as Souls game derivatives come. It's technically not just Dark Souls (or Hollow Knight) redux, but it's also not going to get anyone writing up deep theories on how everything works. The ending felt like a copout.

This game changed my life personally, I can finally see my kids again after the divorce

Big PP