First off, if you're interested in metroidvania/platformer games with upgrade-gated exploration with backtracking and a satisfying combatFirst off, if you're interested in metroidvania/platformer games with upgrade-gated exploration with backtracking and a satisfying combat system (especially if you're looking to experience it with friends as it has up to 4 players local co-op) - you owe it to yourself to play this game as it counts towards the top games of the genre, in my opinion.
In this game, you start out as an agave farmer with barebones fighting capabilities whose world gets turned upside down and is set to become the greatest Luchador to make things right again - save the world from evil. Pretty cookie cutter premise but the way it is getting delivered, mixed with the art style, visuals and humour of the characters, makes it a truly memorable and funny experience.
The tutorial and general explanation of the abilities you have and will obtain during the game is superb as they build up on the principles of using the abilities in a really smart way. Here it's important to point out that in this game, the new upgrades/abilities you get double as a new way to explore the world and open up places you couldn't reach before AND can be used in the combo brawler fighting system as a means to deal hefty damage and make crazy combo chains happen.
First, you're faced with a simple challenge and a tooltip with instructions that makes you use your ability in a very basic way, but the game builds upon those challenges with ever-so-slightly harder tasks that never feel out of place or break the curve of the learning experience. Hands down one of the best ways to introduce people into the mechanics of your game. They also come together beautifully in the mid- and late-game for some truly remarkable platforming/combo challenges.
The fighting system in this game adds to it nicely as the new abilities open up new ways to beat enemies up (quite literally). The combo brawler fighting system is a breath of fresh air for the genre and honestly one of the strongest selling points for this game as coupled with the ability to roll and jump makes for some really satisfying gameplay as you watch those combo streak numbers rise up (there's achievements for these, too, so you can feel extra rewarded for making them happen!).
Death is not a harsh punishment in this game and is a wise decision in this game as it can be very fast-paced and merely puts you back to a point in the room you've just died, making for quick re-attempts at even the most tricky platforming challenges. If you intend to close the game and continue later, you're gonna be at the last check/savepoint.
The world and level design is great and comes together really nicely as each area has a distinct art style and theme to it. As in all metroidvanias, it's basically one huge map you're bound to explore in bite-sized segments and each area feels fresh and never overstays its welcome. There's no out of place spikes in difficulty, which I mentioned in the way you explore upgrades earlier already, and all the challenges feel adequate for the amount of practice and challenges you've had to do before you face a certain obstacle. New options to traverse said world also make re-exploring the areas for collectibles and secrets very pleasant. There's plenty of check/savepoints which double up as places to get upgrades and costumes at - another genius decision. Costumes can be obtained through obtaining a certain in-game currency to style up your character and all come with their own bonuses and drawbacks. (You also don't have to be afraid to finish the story/game before haven't unlocked everything as the game gives you the option to revisit your save file to collect whatever you could've missed.)
The soundtrack felt pleasant and pumped you up for upcoming big encounters. It really fits this mix of Mexican/Luchador feeling this game is trying to convey to its players and helps you immerse in the world of this game greatly. It makes you want to keep going and keeps you entertained in this magnificent world Drinkbox Studios have crafted here. Heck, I find myself humming or having the soundtrack stuck in my head when I'm not playing the game, so that should say something about how catchy it really is!
The only small complaint I have about the game is a certain type of enemy that isn't really used more than a handful of times that have (clearly telegraphed and the game informs you about that) attacks that you can't avoid through dodge rolls which seems to go against the grain of the combat system they have in place. They're a tad bit annoying but nothing that's going to halt your game progress as they really only appear a handful of times during the game so I don't feel that this should have any weight.
All in all, I hope this review could help you make a decision about whether you wanna pick up this game or not and if you do, which I sincerely hope, I wish you a lot of fun!… Expand