Valfaris

 PC
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 70 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 70
  3. Negative: 7 out of 70

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  1. Cyber_Angel
    Oct 18, 2020
    5
    Gorgeous and interesting premise is marred by endless hordes of respawning enemies that makes it a big no-no for me.
  2. Miha_Chamodi
    Dec 19, 2019
    10
    One of the best games i've played this year. There are no boring or filler parts. 100% fun.
  3. keks24
    Oct 22, 2019
    10
    Очень крутой платформер с потрясающим саундреком!
  4. sadarnwn4
    Oct 22, 2019
    10
    Игра обалденная как и предыдущее творение данной студии, только в разы лучше:) прошел демку 2 раза и очень очень ждал релиза. Купил не задумываясь
  5. JEG
    Oct 12, 2019
    10
    Extraordinary. Valfaris is to Contra what Hyper Light Drifter was to 2D Zelda. Tons of innovation and careful design choices. Many secrets, Weapons are awesome, Challenge is good. There really is no negative to this game. Buy it now.
  6. SulyKaz
    Oct 14, 2019
    10
    actually i play it slain before and i enjoy it and i trust big sugar films they can learned form mistakes and make super bad ass game like VALFARIS this game is crazy madness bloody sci fi as hell
  7. Conolophus
    Oct 18, 2019
    10
    This game is awesome. Graphics stunning, music heavy metal and the gameplay extremely good. Make no mistake this game is challenging, frustrating at times but persevering reaps rewards with an array of impressive weapons and battles with bosses that you won’t forget.
  8. Dean_Demon
    Oct 13, 2019
    8
    A really excellent variant on Contra or Turrican, graphics are of a high standard which the backgrounds are of a higher standard than the foreground and enemies etc, sound is also of a high standard with really decent sound effects but the soundtrack you are either going to love or hate as it is metal. All in all it just works but do be prepared for a challenging game in which you will dieA really excellent variant on Contra or Turrican, graphics are of a high standard which the backgrounds are of a higher standard than the foreground and enemies etc, sound is also of a high standard with really decent sound effects but the soundtrack you are either going to love or hate as it is metal. All in all it just works but do be prepared for a challenging game in which you will die alot so i rate it an excellent 8 out of 10 with only minor things holding it back from greatness.… Expand
  9. Vasot
    Oct 25, 2019
    5
    1) A Gamepad is necessary unfortunately the developers don't mention anything in their site but trying playing this with a keyboard is a huge pain if you really want to play this game i highly recommend you buy a gamepad first 2) Upgrades are few and useless they only give a minor boost to weapon damage even at max levels they are still feel really weak 3) Small stages with repetitive1) A Gamepad is necessary unfortunately the developers don't mention anything in their site but trying playing this with a keyboard is a huge pain if you really want to play this game i highly recommend you buy a gamepad first 2) Upgrades are few and useless they only give a minor boost to weapon damage even at max levels they are still feel really weak 3) Small stages with repetitive spamming enemies and way too many mini-bosses for my liking 4) Gets boring after a while and difficulty gets unbearable at late stages 5) Music is ok but classics like Turricane have way better soundtracks 6) Game story is forgettable… Expand
  10. FogCityRoller
    Oct 10, 2019
    10
    There are various levels of sheer awesomeness that exist in the world. These levels exist on a scale from baby pink socks to Keanu Reeves using two great white sharks as skis while shooting Nazis with machine guns and backed by a soundtrack made up of 80s hair metal. Keanu should feel honored to relinquish his throne to this game.
  11. eded9999
    Oct 12, 2019
    7
    Not a fan of infinity spam enemies or the absolute linear progress. It would have been nice some kind of exploration or being able to revisiting levels
    Metal music is not that good.
    The pixel art and art design is good.
    Good variety of weapons.
  12. skohl
    Nov 30, 2019
    9
    Respect to Steel Mantis for making a proper retro game. This plays like something that could have been on SNES, but unlike most pixel graphic titles they've gone above and beyond with the colors and detail. Visually every screen feels handcrafted, so that even while the game is linear, the environment tells the story of the world of Valfaris. Likewise the gameplay feels handcrafted asRespect to Steel Mantis for making a proper retro game. This plays like something that could have been on SNES, but unlike most pixel graphic titles they've gone above and beyond with the colors and detail. Visually every screen feels handcrafted, so that even while the game is linear, the environment tells the story of the world of Valfaris. Likewise the gameplay feels handcrafted as well, it's carefully balanced so that adjusting your position by a couple pixels can make the difference.

    You will die often in this game, I had 300 deaths in my 8-hour playthrough. It uses a checkpoint system where you find items that let you activate checkpoints. You get extra ones by finding secret rooms, and by skipping checkpoints intentionally to make the game more difficult. You can then convert the checkpoint items for weapon upgrades at certain points, if you have extra.

    The only thing bad I can say is that it's one of those games where you wish they had a huge budget. You can tell they wanted to put all kinds of stuff in, like a section where you ride a giant insect, and just didn't have the resources. A fully-fledged metroidvania (which this game is not) Valfaris with twice the playtime of this one would be an *astounding* game. But that would've been a huge ask for this dev, considering how much care and detail they put into what is present in the game.    … Expand
  13. Vevo99
    Aug 12, 2021
    10
    Contra + DoomTroopers = Valfaris , buy without fear, this game is badass , m/
  14. FrostormNidhegg
    Oct 27, 2019
    8
    Играешь за очень похожего на космодесантника персонажа, уничтожаешь врагов, все максимально брутально, и в духе хеви-метал текстов и обложек. До этого была Slain, она была хороша визуально, но чудовищна в плане баланса - я в начале игры трех огненных собак так и не смог пройти, и она была в фентези тематике. А здесь тематика похожа на Вархаммер 40000. И баланс нормальный, не надо бытьИграешь за очень похожего на космодесантника персонажа, уничтожаешь врагов, все максимально брутально, и в духе хеви-метал текстов и обложек. До этого была Slain, она была хороша визуально, но чудовищна в плане баланса - я в начале игры трех огненных собак так и не смог пройти, и она была в фентези тематике. А здесь тематика похожа на Вархаммер 40000. И баланс нормальный, не надо быть лютым задротом, чтоб пройти ее. В своем жанре - очень хороша, советую… Expand
  15. Phased
    Oct 29, 2019
    8
    Fun and creative mechanics. Music is great. Weapons are fun to use and varied and the art style fits perfectly with the gameplay.
  16. ErfXIII
    Nov 5, 2019
    10
    The game is hard but not unfair, soundtrack is badass and enemy moves are unlike anything i've seen before, This game is super underrated, i dont know why no one is playing it.
    honestly it deserves more attention.
  17. omerulas25
    Nov 20, 2020
    7
    wtf this game very bad and bored. terrible section design and bad colours used.
  18. PanMrkvicka
    Feb 12, 2020
    7
    Its a good Contra like game. Theres a lot of weapons and combat feels amazing. But the level design is sometimes not that good and some bosses are weak as well.
  19. dotrem
    Jul 9, 2022
    2
    Garabage. As colorblind i can't see a ****
    This **** doesn't recognise my ds4 and dualsense, but recognise xbox controller pepega. But obv that you can't play games like this with such a parody on game controller.
  20. 2fps
    May 14, 2021
    9
    Best game of the genre that I know of, I don't even like Contra that much but this was tight.
  21. BrutalPlayer
    May 6, 2022
    9
    Beating it on Full Metal Mode. Eaten one point for the game being unfair, because cmon, what is the point of making damage inevitable at times, for example there were thorns Therion had to fly thru to progress game. Also what were the devs thinking when creating the self harm button in the tombs?

Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best PC Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Eurogamer Italy
    Dec 4, 2019
    90
    Valfaris is basically a mix between Contra, Doom, Duke Nukem and Castlevania. Lots of action in a 2D side-scrolling shooter through atons of levels filled with any kind of monster and tons of blood. The difficulty level is nasty, but Therion has a huge arsenal of upgradable weapons to choose from. The boss-fights are great and playing the game is really satisfying. You have to die a lot to go ahead through the levels and complete the game.
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  2. CD-Action
    Nov 25, 2019
    90
    It’s hard to leave the main menu screen because of the music that plays in the background. It’s worth to press ‘start’ though because if there is one thing that came out better than the soundtrack, it’s the gameplay. [13/2019, p.64]
  3. Games.cz
    Nov 7, 2019
    70
    A rapid action game in heavy metal rhythm which will make you remember all those legendary platformers from the 90s. It’s frantic, easy to understand - but its difficulty can be, at times, terrifying.
    Read full review
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