Where do I even begin? This gem absolutely delivers on its selling point, it doesn't just inspire itself off of any one game in the genres, but creates its own identity. One of my favorite indie games to come out this year. 10/10

How Does It Look?
I was just looking around the Steam store and found this, absolutely hooked with the presentation. It gave me the nostalgic feel of the N64 era 3D games. The low poly models, the oversized rooms, the ambient music, the sound design, all of it plays off of the retro inspiration it desires to be. I think the first thing that comes to mind for many is Castlevania 64. That game always fascinated me, even though it was seen poorly by many as being a janky mess, Pseudoregalia takes the aesthetics of Castlevania 64, and modernizes the controls. Some other games it reminds me of visually are Kings Field and Eternal Ring.

How Does It Feel?
ALL game devs should take notes on how this game executes movement in a 3D platformer. As all metroidvanias, the game starts out normal, with only so many options for traversing the level at first. But quite quickly you start to acquire your basic movement abilities like sliding and wall jumping. And there is rarely any limits to how you beat the game once you acquire certain abilities. I went 4 hours into my 4.3 hour playthrough without using wall running because I didn't realize I could acquire it. I already had the requirements to get wall running like maybe halfway through the game, but you know what, I DIDN'T NEED IT(mostly). Not knowing that wall running was even a thing, I utilized the game's slide jump and phenomenal wall jumping system to essentially pass where wall running was needed. NOW THAT is how you make a movement platforming game. Instead of limiting the problem to one solution, the devs have given the player all the tools they need, all the player has to do is find them and use them correctly however they want. That was the moment I was sold on this game. If I had taken even a remotely different route than I did, I'd probably have finish the game sooner, or even longer since you are essentially free to roam as far as your skills take you. There were many situations where I had to get somewhere and I had like 3 different routes planned on getting there. And thankfully the game isn't so punishing on failing jumps.

Honestly, for $6 this game is an absolutely masterpiece for what is being sold here. It may just be me being sold on the nostalgic atmosphere the game gives me with it's oversize rooms and low quality textures that hide the game's masterful movement system. But it's clear that the game found the target audience. I can see myself replaying this game again just for the gameplay alone.