...I gotta say, this is the best surprise hit in 2013!
I have clocked 5 hours as soon as I bought it's that fun.
The game gives a small amount but equally useful tools and the controls are stiff but very precise. You're main slash can be offensive as well as defensive, since you can walk backwards for a few moments to raise your shield. You can block with your shield by standing still or make a evasive roll to quickly get away from danger. You can't change direction during a jump except to perform a double jump. Throwing spears has a deliberate prolonged starting animation so you don't solely rely on it. Charge a spear to increase its power and range.
The game is very difficult and unforgiving but fair, you will repeat the levels over and over until you beat the boss but that's ok because...
...the strongest point of this game is the level design. The sheer variety of obstacles you will face on a single level alone will NOT feel repetitive for the 20th time you're retrying to beat the level. This is an action platformer. The action itself is accomplished because of the small but critical tools the game provides, the well crafted level design and because of the unique monsters.
Some monsters require a careful approach and require spears to deal with them, since they are stationary and careful.
Others require attention to the pattern since they also block and attack and others jump above your safety of your shield.
The weakest link in this game however, I would say, are the bosses with their slow and wide starting animations.
I'm curious what my fellow roguelike players think about this game.
