Developer: Robson Paiva
Publisher: Top Hat Studios
Genre: Metroidvania
Reviewed For: Nintendo Switch
Also Available On: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
There certainly isn’t a shortage of metroidvania games on the Nintendo Switch. With so many incredible entries on the console both old and new, it takes a lot for a game to make its mark. REDO is the latest metroidvania on the console, and while it is rough around the edges, it comes together to be a solid entry in the genre.
REDO takes place in a decaying urban setting during a future apocalypse. Players control the last human on earth as they discover what went wrong and how to survive. The setting is gloomy and full of horror vibes while never quite crossing the line and becoming a full on horror game.
REDO appears to have taken some inspiration from FromSoftware, feeding players only pieces of the larger narrative throughout the game. The combat system also shares some similarities as well. Balancing stamina, positioning, and health are all essential. It can be brutal, and one misstep can lead to an untimely death. REDO feels difficult throughout, but it is rarely unfair. Players will need to learn enemy patterns to succeed, and failure to do so will gatekeeper any inpatient player.
While the combat is difficult, it isn’t particularly remarkable. There aren’t any unique systems in place that any metroidvania fan hasn’t seen before. Players will have access to both melee weapons and projectiles as they progress. There aren’t any unique mobility skills or gimmicks in REDO, making it similar to Ender Lilies in that it’s just a solid metroidvania without too many bells and whistles.
As solid as REDO is, it suffers tremendously when it comes to exploration. As expected, players will explore the large map and gain access to new areas as they progress. All of the exploration is severely undercut by the lack of a map. In no way can players pin significant areas or even remember how to get back to that one spot that they didn’t have the tools for earlier. Any map players have will be out of the game. This missing quality of life feature is frustrating and adds more hardship than needed. If a map is patched in, REDO suddenly becomes an excellent metroidvania.
It’s brutal and the gameplay is generic, but REDO has a lot going for it due to how well it plays. The atmosphere is spooky, but it’s hard to want to take it all in since exploration is a chore. This is a solid metroidvania for those who have exhausted the Switch’s catalog, but there are much better games in the genre for newcomers.
REDO!
REDO! is a solid Metroidvania that suffers from a few quality of life omissions.
-
Gameplay
-
Presentation
-
Enjoyment