How extensive are the RPG elements?

[Airstrike[Zzz]]

I'm clumsy, I'm easily frustrated, but I absolutely love a good metroidvania game. Is this the kind of game where I can grind up more power to get through difficult portions, or are the RPG elements more limited than that?

Thanks for any info.

[CoyoteTraveller]

Kinda. Your "xp" equivalent unlocks branches of a skill tree--one does more damage, one largely lets you heal more efficiently, one makes your movement powers more convenient though it isn't required to get anywhere. You can beat it without any of them, but if you're having trouble with some parts of the game I guess you could focus your points in that part of the tree.

You technically can grind, yeah, and some areas near the end of the game are more useful than others. Combat very rarely seemed to be the biggest challenge though. I wouldn't say it's "jumping puzzles" exactly, but getting used to your movement powers isn't something you can level up. Health/energy powerups are collected instead of gained from leveling up, so once you're a couple hours into the game you can run around and get most of them. It seems more like Metroid than like Castlevania within the genre if that makes sense.

[Airstrike[Zzz]]

Yeah, that does make sense. Less numbery grind, more ability-unlocking grind. Thanks very much for the info.

[mrozdoba]

My platformer skills are pretty poor. I did what you're suggesting & it helped increase how long I can stay alive during tricky sections, so even though you still need some skill at times, you can make it easier to acquire, iyswim?

Combined with the save system this makes all but the timed sections conquerable. For those parts you need to rely on the skills you will eventually learn as a result of the practice you gain while grinding, plus damage reduction will let you take bigger risks while running for your life. I think the devs did a great job in balancing difficulty in this game including the way the RPG element can be exploited by those that like to play that way.

I should point out I'm only half way through the game but did use this approach to get me out of the ginso tree, which many players regard as being a significant difficulty spike.

If you get the game do post how you get on :-)