Iconoclasts

It’s a delightful surprise, the kind that doesn’t come around often enough.

If you like Metroidvania style games with compelling storytelling, satisfyingly challenging boss battles, and music to match the feel of the game, Iconoclasts is worth playing through again and again. I am so glad that solo developer Joakim “Konjak” Sandberg has given us this masterful piece of art to consider. It was definitely worth the wait.

A retro game that delivers more wonderful gameplay than nostalgia. [Issue#270, p.58]

Don't let first impressions fool you. Beneath the bright colours and initially sunny disposition of Iconoclasts lies a game that is going to challenge you in a variety of ways. It will force the best from your quick-twitch-skills, with fast-paced and frenetic combat. This is an experience that cannot be missed by fans of both 2D action platformers, or by those seeking a greater level of mental and ideological engagement.

Even if Iconoclasts is not the definition of perfection in gameplay mechanisms and it is not the best Metroidvania game ever, its overall quality and mainly its soul leave no room for further questions. It is a game you ought to try.

With its Metroid trappings, Iconoclasts began as a familiar experience, but by the end I was left thinking more about the impactful character and narrative moments. Despite its bright and colorful aesthetic, Iconoclasts' world is a dark one, and the journey across it is one I did not expect to be so affected by. Couple that with design that would excel even without the narrative hooks, and you have a game that stands above its peers.

Iconoclasts is an amazingly well-done game that never settles down for more than a minute, effortlessly switching from one challenge to another and never letting the player get too caught up on an area. As good as the gameplay is, though, the part that sticks in my head is the story, and the terrible price Robin and her friends and enemies all pay on the way to salvation. It’s a long, difficult journey with a large cast of characters to meet, befriend, fight, and sometimes lose along the way, creating a memorable world that will stick in your head long after the final boss is defeated.

Iconoclasts is a work full of love and creativity.

A master lessor in design, inspired by the classics platform/adventure 2D but with a very personal touch and impressive beautiful pixelart. An authentic jewel.

Iconoclasts is a pretty fantastic game. The story is fun and interesting, the controls are tight and near perfect, the art and animation is beautiful, and many of the puzzles and traversal are both fun and challenging at the same time. If you’re into the Metroidvania style games and don’t mind a bit of backtracking, this is the game for you. I can’t suggest it enough to fans of the classic SNES side scrolling shooters and action puzzle fans.

Iconoclasts is a kind of game that no AAA studio could ever have made. It has all the mechanics, visuals and other easily judged elements that a video game needs, and nailed down really well too, but it also has a less tangible feel to it that just endears it to the player. Even among other nostalgic pixel-art metroidvania games, this one stands out, and ought to be remembered as one of the indie greats.

Multi-faceted 2D pixel platformer that balances its confusing narrative with great level design, tricky puzzles & neat action.

This is a strange, complex game that – refreshingly – doesn't play quite like any other work in the genre. Iconoclasts offers a welcome reminder that they don't all have to play the same way.

Iconoclasts is a near-constant delight, offering story that can be charming or silly or insightful, combat that is involved, puzzles that challenge the mind, and a feeling of endless excitement and adventure.

While the action could have been a little more challenging, this nonetheless is a fascinating and surprisingly story-rich trip into a bizarre fantasy world.

Sandberg should be proud for delivering such a complete metroidvania game on his own. It may be a bit rough around the edges, but this doesn’t stop it from having competent platforming mechanics but, more importantly, an engrossing story with characters oozing with personality, something of a rarity for the genre.

Iconoclasts is a gorgeous pixel art metroidvania with some great ideas. Action, platform and puzzles are fun. And the narrative and characters are really compelling. A total success.

Iconoclasts is a great action platform game with an interesting plot and beautiful art style.

The fact that it’s a casual game allows Iconoclasts’ story to unfold at a good pace. It is without a doubt a story-driven action-adventure game, and as such you should take your time thinking about what it all means as you go along. For those who experienced Super Nintendo games in their prime, this game may be reminiscent of some of your best childhood memories.