The Next Penelope

If I could give a neutral recommendation I would, but you know this is Steam. I understand this was made by one guy and I give props to him, he made a game that's functional. However, it's mired in some strange quirks and wonky design. So running down the list of issues I had with this game. First, the camera too close in on the vehicle and the fix is an IN-GAME UPGRADE. Coupled with no map of the stage (Only a dinky Progress bar at the bottom of the screen) it can lead to you failing over and over until you learn the stage by memory and the mechanics associated with it. I'm gonna call this one a cardinal sin by racing game standards. Second, The controls sometimes don't work and are needlessly loose. Maybe it's my controller, but I had a hell of a time playing this game on it and I play games with it fine all the time. I think it's just this title at this rate. I'll give this one a pass, but only because it might be my controller. Third, the Difficulty is another issue and only hurts this title. It starts at "Medium" and only goes to "Very Hard" with no in between. Some stages are super-easy, but it's labelled as "Very Hard". Other stages are labelled as "Medium" but will kick your teeth in for no reason. This odd curve of difficulty combined with the "Life as Energy" system just adds just needless frustration. Finally, The Mechanic of "Life as Energy". Your energy is so truncated due to equipment usage and the energy costs for them that many stages are hurdles due to it. Expend too much or run into a wall enough times and you just might as well restart the level. Most of the racer levels have energy recharge pads, but other open area zones don't and you only get the "Mine" option to recharge your energy meter. However, the Mine needs to kill a target to gain energy back for you, but the mine itself doesn't have a proximity detonation and you can kill yourself with it by running into it or by chunked down by the cost. The mechanic adds needless complexity and many pieces of equipment are dubious in usefulness which leads to many unneeded restarts. All in all, I had a bad time playing "The Next Penelope". Some of the issues are fixed by the in-game upgrade system, but many aren't and lead to a slanted experience. However, if you can put up with the odd mechanics and strange layout, give it a shot.

Ce jeu n'est en fait pas un jeu de course à proprement parler. Il est divisé en 6 mondes de 3 niveaux chacun. A la fin d'un monde, le joueur gagne un nouveau pouvoir, comme le boost, le tir, le grappin, les mines, etc... Et une fois tous ces pouvoir obtenus, le boss final. Chaque monde possède 3 niveaux donc, lesquels suivent tout le temps la même architecture: le premier sert à apprendre le nouveau pouvoir du monde, le deuxième est une "course" à la Death Rally où il n'est nul besoin d'accélérer ni de freiner, et le dernier est un combat en arène contre un boss où il est souvent utile de tirer à profit du nouveau pouvoir obtenu précédemment. Voilà pour la structure. Après, la DA déchire, un style Albator mélangé à du Ulysse 31, le feedback est excellent et l'ambiance sonore aussi. Le jeu est plutôt dur, mais pas insurmontable non plus: en refaisant une course 4 ou 5 fois, on réussi généralement rapidement à la connaitre par cœur et à la maitriser, d'autant que les niveaux sont plutôt court. Le contrôle du vaisseau est très particulier, avec énormément d'inertie, mais c'est pareil on s'y fait vite. Seuls une course (celle sans les barrières en bord de piste) et un boss m'ont posé problème, mais en insistant un peu c'est passé crème. 3h30 pour le terminer, sachant qu'il existe aussi des défis de scoring que je n'ai pas encore essayé pour le moment. Du coup, une bonne expérience, pour peut que l'on sait où l'on met les pieds.

Un excellent jeu de course avec de bonnes mécaniques de gameplay. L'univers de l'Odyssée se transpose bien dans le futur néon de The Next Penelope et revisite les mythes grecs d'une manière actuelle et novatrice.

The controls take time to get used too but it's a fun game and an interesting take on the Odyssey.

The Next Penelope is an audacious indie title that refuses to stay within the boundaries of a single genre, instead fusing arcade racing, shoot-’em-up combat, and exploratory action into a fast, neon-soaked experience. Developed by Aurélien Regard and published by Plug In Digital, the game reimagines Homer’s Odyssey as a futuristic space epic, casting Penelope not as a passive figure waiting at home, but as a relentless pilot racing across hostile planets in search of her missing husband, Ulysses. This bold reinterpretation immediately sets the tone for a game that thrives on momentum, experimentation, and constant pressure. From a gameplay perspective, The Next Penelope is built around speed and survival. Your ship accelerates automatically, pushing you forward at all times and forcing you to focus on steering precision, energy management, and tactical combat. Energy acts as a shared resource for boosting, firing weapons, and activating special abilities, meaning every decision carries weight. Choosing when to spend energy aggressively or conserve it for tight turns and evasive maneuvers becomes central to mastering the game. This design creates a sense of perpetual urgency, making even short races feel intense and demanding. The structure of the game encourages exploration as much as racing. Instead of a linear campaign, players navigate a star map, choosing which planets to visit and in what order. Each planet introduces unique track layouts, environmental hazards, enemies, and bosses, ensuring that the experience rarely feels repetitive. Boss encounters in particular stand out, blending racing mechanics with bullet-hell-style patterns that require sharp reflexes and an understanding of your ship’s capabilities. These battles feel like climactic tests of everything learned so far rather than simple interruptions to the racing flow. Visually, The Next Penelope is striking and instantly recognizable. Its vibrant color palette, glowing outlines, and minimalist shapes evoke classic arcade games while still feeling modern and stylish. Environments are abstract yet expressive, using color and motion to convey danger, speed, and atmosphere rather than relying on detailed textures. Character portraits and story moments complement this aesthetic, presenting mythological figures through a futuristic lens that reinforces the game’s unique identity without slowing the pace. The narrative itself is intentionally light but effective. Story elements unfold gradually as Penelope travels from planet to planet, encountering gods and adversaries inspired by Greek mythology. Dialogue is concise and often playful, serving more as flavor and motivation than as a driving force. This restrained storytelling works well with the game’s structure, giving context to the action without disrupting the relentless flow of gameplay. The focus remains firmly on the journey rather than elaborate exposition. Difficulty is one of the game’s most defining traits. The Next Penelope can be punishing, especially for players unaccustomed to arcade-style challenges that demand quick reactions and repeated attempts. Some tracks and bosses require precise execution and a deep understanding of energy usage, which can lead to moments of frustration. However, for players who enjoy mastering systems through repetition, these challenges are also deeply rewarding, offering a strong sense of accomplishment when a tough segment is finally conquered. Beyond the solo experience, the game includes local multiplayer modes that lean into its arcade roots. Split-screen races and battles transform the high-speed mechanics into chaotic, competitive fun, making it an excellent party game despite the absence of online multiplayer. These modes highlight how well the core mechanics translate to direct competition, reinforcing the game’s versatility. Ultimately, The Next Penelope stands out as a confident, genre-blending indie project that prioritizes speed, style, and mechanical intensity. It may not appeal to players seeking a long or forgiving experience, but for those drawn to arcade racers, shmups, and games that demand focus and skill, it offers a distinctive and memorable ride. Its bold aesthetic, inventive mechanics, and reinterpretation of myth combine to create a game that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly unconventional. Rating: 7/10

Really fun multiplayer if you ever get the chance

The game look nice sounds nice to, shame the controls let it down and it might be me, but how the hell do you quit the game. I had to ctr+Alt+Del to quit the game. You can see why its on sale...