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- Hempuli Oy
- Hempuli Oy
- Hempuli Oy
- Hempuli Oy
Environmental Station Alpha
Released On: Apr 22, 2015
Metascore
Available after 4 critic reviews
8.1
All Platforms
Environmental Station Alpha didn't reinvent the wheel when it comes to Metroidvania games, but it certainly helped satisfy my appetite. The amount of secrets and post-game crypticness might be great for some, and it does extend the playtime quite a bit, but as a completionist I found it to be more legwork than I'd like. Call me crazy, but I don't like tons of cryptography in my games.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 23 User Ratings
8.1
70% Positive
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
22% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
9% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 23 User Ratings
8.1
70% Positive
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
22% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
9% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
This game went under everyone's radar, probably because it has NES-style pixel graphics. Or maybe the low price convinced players it doesn't have a lot of content. Don't let the simplicity fool you, this is the best designed Metroid-like game of the 2010s. Well I guess Hollow Knight does some things better, but it doesn't have the aforementioned NES graphics which make a huge difference in gameplay, in terms of navigation and finding secrets.
Just be warned the game is pretty hard. It was designed with experienced Metroid players in mind. The bosses will frustrate you, some room traversal challenges are brutal, and you are expected to find false walls to progress. (However on that latter point, you don't have to randomly shoot every block looking for secrets. There are visual/environmental cues.) But this genre is notorious for having awfully designed bosses (look at Axiom Verge, or Iconoclasts for examples), so ESA is still much better in that regard.
The music is great too, directly inspired by Metroid. So if you like this genre, and you haven't played ESA, try this one. It's exemplary.
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PC
This game is the perfect Metroidvania, a pure jewell of gameplay. My crush for 2015 (and one of my favorite game ever).
It has an amazing ambience with awesome music !
The creator has brilliantly understood what we were waiting for this genre. I don't see any drawback, this is a must have !
And I just can't wait for a sequel.
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PC
To this day I am absolutely stunned that this game did not get much attention. I admittedly haven't finished it but I love it as far as I've gotten. If you enjoy hard Metroid inspired games this is a definite pick up. The attention to detail in the level construction and puzzles is magnificent. Fantastic artwork (if you're into pixel art), great soundtrack, and super fluid controls wrap this package up nicely.
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PC
A good metroidvania game but too difficult to my taste from the Overgrowth Boss, in fact, i found the game too difficult to enjoy.
PROS: Fun to play + Interesting gadgets + Clear map + Very good and varied music
CONS: Too difficult from the middle of the game + Sometimes you don't know where to go
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PC
Metroidvania is my fave genre so thought id give this a try. Starts off kinda middle of the road. Gets a bit better then you get lost and spend hours searching where to go next or how to get to a highlighted (doesnt make it any easier) place on the map. I dont mind backtracking but this is dead end after dead end after dead end. You can literally spend hours wandering around and get nowhere.. or worse, get stuck in an area you cant get out of. The graphics would be fine ... if only you could tell which pixels were backround and which were foreground. Its easy to think a line of background pixels is a platform and fall or walk into a wall you thought was in the background. Boss fights so far are all manageable but the "rewards" are scant. Ive just beaten a boss that gives me no power up and actually makes the game infinitely harder by turning on all the invincible robots and defense turrets in the whole map. . Im all for a challenge but for all the things this game gets right the devs forgot that the game should be fun too.
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PC
This game is really an punch in the eye. While I enjoy pixelated graphics, for example Modora or Axio Verge, this is an entirely different level, we're talking about VIC-20 resolution here.
It's a shame because the mechanics, although derivative, are actually enjoyable good.
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PC
Summary Explore an abandoned space station in this retro-themed explorative action platformer. Over 15 bosses and 10+ powerups to discover.
Platforms:
- PC
Initial Release Date: Apr 22, 2015
Developer:
- Hempuli Oy
Publisher: Hempuli Oy
Genres:
