Welcome to The Platformer where we talk about games in an extremely amateur but fun way! This post is in regards to my Ultimate Video Game List where I’m on a journey to discover what my personal favourite game ever is. Today I play a game from one of my favourite genres, Metroidvania’s.

Super Metroid is one of my favourite games ever and I anticipate it ranking high on my list. I have only played one Castlevania in my life and that was on the Gameboy so I’m not as well versed. Luckily Xeodrifter feels the same! They took all of the Metroid and none of the Vania, however, did it take a little too much inspiration? What’s the main difference between the two games? Xeodrifter is notably cheaper and just slightly worse in every way. I’m not pulling punches just because it’s an Indie game, however, the unique elements are superb. That’s what I’ll be focusing on today.

What has infected my brain and left its tiny little idea eggs? The boss battles. I say battles, honestly, there’s only one that gets repeated throughout the game. Don’t be misconstrued, it’s not at all repetitive! Your main source of new abilities comes from defeating this giant beetle alien, resulting in your character getting stronger after every extermination. But so does Lex. (I named it Lex after Superman’s arch-nemesis because that’s what our relationship felt like) By the end, you have both developed so many abilities that your first battle is but a mere memory of amateurs battling. Now you are bloodshed, trying to send the other into the blinding light of hell. (I hated Lex towards the end)

In many games, you have a villain, however, they never feel like the threat. A few cutscenes then a final battle. Is that it? Not here, you will battle! Learn tactics, try to improve until you finally conquer your foe. This is something that should seriously be imitated by larger games.

The ability to phase in and out of the background, like a well-seasoned actor, is incredibly memorable, probably the ability that made this game famous. It’s used in such clever ways, is a ledge too high? Jump into the background, gain some momentum and…pop! Go into the foreground and you’ve made the ledge! It also incentivises the player to keep focused on both planes of existence as the game cleverly hides secret paths in addition to aiding dodging enemy attacks. It’s the first upgrade you attain, which determines the rest of your experience.

I’m however forced to mention that a large portion of the game is generic space Metroid ‘influenced’ game. (Less influenced, more copied) Just without what makes Metroid interesting, such as the aesthetic or expansive world. It’s a son who is a shadow of what’s come before, but quirky. Such as the fact that unlike other Metroidvanias, where’s there’s one huge world to explore, Xeodrifter has four which can be ‘tackled as you like’.

This is a lie. If anything this four world structure is built to waste time as you venture to a significant part of the world, of which you are vastly underpowered, then realise you cannot progress thus you’ve just wasted your time. ( sarcastically celebrates)

Xeodrifter is a wonderful game, with memorable experiences and emotionally connected with me by providing a nemesis I’ve long yearned for in gaming. What lowers this game’s score is that it does not excel in anything except in one area. Which gets cancelled out by the annoying, deceiving world design. If you are looking for a game to scratch that Metroidvania itch then 100% play this game. If you’ve never played a game from the genre this is also a great place to start. It fits just shy of the excellent Golf Story. But a better hero-villain tale than Batman Arkham Knight. Who knew.

I love some retro love, however, it feels polished. The result of learning from experience. Considering I’m barely using my Nintendo Online subscription I’ve chosen to play…

Kirby’s Adventure

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