100% a hidden gem, a basically perfect metroidvania platformer.

Movement feels fantastic, fluid transitions between moves and the amount of options, makes platforming feels really tight, and the moveset gets slowly expanded and makes occasional attempts at sequence breaking so much fun, since there are no real barriers most of the time. Also I think this is the first 3D platformer I played, where you can actually bunny jump to keep your momentum, bonkers.

The lack of map just hammers in the design of the world into your mind, makes you appreciate how many branching paths you can take and still circle around to an area you were already in, now able to explore it further, with your new abilities. Shortcuts are everywhere, and even with the simple graphics and almost no props, you don't really feel lost most of the time.

Combat is the only way the game is lacking sometimes, feels really floaty when fighting normal enemies, and its hard to do without the lock on. So you either have to lock on every enemy and be limited in how you move around it, or dont lock and fight with the camera, while maintaining full control.

The combat and movement comes together really nicely tho with the last boss, who can be a challenge, especially if youre not a secret hunter. Feels like a great last fight for the game itself, combining everything you've learned and getting faster and faster with each hit.

I cant express how much I enjoyed the soundtrack, which elevates lots of the emotional moments you will have thanks to it. Entering the Underbelly for the first time, and hearing that slow, echoey notes that just turn into a great percussive track. Or when you exit Underbelly, and climb out into the Empty Bailey, with the bridge covered in fog in your view, the somber piano welcomes you, and then transforms slowly into a more chipper and funky melody, just excellent.

There are some slight performance problems, that are already patched in the beta, but other than that and few small visual issues, this is a great game, that is wholly enjoyable.


...also, wearing pants is an alternative, accesibility option, if you're scared of your mom finding out.