Recent reviews by Cascadian

Runs perfect on Deck!

damn I love this game

Everyone loves a good comeback story. The story *OF* this game has changed the industry forever, from it's catastrophic launch, to the 2.0 update and the release of phantom liberty. The 2.0 update has made the game so much more immersive, and I found myself taking a break to watch Edgerunners. When I finished clearing the gigs, and sidequests, I approached the ending with a bittersweet feeling. Yes, the game was over, but I had such an amazing time that I didn't want it to end.

is fun

It's way better than when it launched, it still has issues but is still very fun!

Difficult yet rewarding, harrowing yet charming. Beautiful graphics and tight gameplay set Hollow Knight far beyond any other 2d retro-inspired 'Metroidvania." Hollow Knight feels like the lovechild of both Dark Souls, and, Ori and the Blind Forest. Quick, tight gameplay in a hand drawn world that as you explore, sinks its teeth into you. I must admit, the learning curve is a little high but once you get a feel for the controls of this platformer, it comes alive.

The story picks up as you explore different areas. In typical Metroidvania fashion, you explore an area until completion, or until you hit an obstacle, unbeatable enemy, unscalable wall, etc. Then you go onto the next area (maybe find a powerup or two) and return to conquer what held you back before. Save points are few and far between which encourages a huge risk/reward style of gameplay. Until you get a feel for it, it may feel like the save points are holding you back. A few moments of frustration after losing to a boss can be remedied by exploring a little bit more to find a save point near their lair.

The art and animation style seem as though they'd feel more at home in a cartoon or animated series but are so supremely well done that it pulls you in. Team Cherry could have gone for the standard “2D PIXEL ART RETRO METROIDVANIA PLATFORMER” that seems to pop it's head up every 10 minutes, but the art style gives it a level of credibility that is unparalleled in most independant games. The music is somber, strings and keys. The atmosphere can go from a quiet hallway to a tense battle and the music changes dynamically. Sound design is excellent as well, from skittering of beetles, squishing and popping of bubbles, swords clanking on metal, everything sounds unique and as if it belongs. Nothing sounds canned, or picked out of a sound effect library.

Honestly, I’m in love with this game. I feel like I may have rushed through it, but I’m clocked at 13 hours right and at 56% completion. I’m going to go back and and try and find everything in every nook, cranny, and corner I can find.