Valfaris | A Metal Game That Will Test Your Mettle

Valfaris is a game that takes it's focus from it's own namesake. It is a 2D action-platformer of a Contra persuasion that is centered around a paradise gone dark, and the son of it's king who returns to it in order to try, and figure out why it is the way it is. Valfaris is the location at which this game takes place, and Therion is the protagonist with which you'll face what lies in wait. Armed with a trio of weapons, and other useful abilities such as a shield Therion must brave the darkness infested wilds of Valfaris as he journeys forth to find his father, or at the very least what happened to him. The road from beginning to end is wrought with perils in the form of environmental hazards as well as bosses, and lesser creatures. An adventure that's made all the more impressive by masterful pixel art, and Celtic Metal music made just for this experience.

Hailing from the creative development team that brought to us, "Slain: Back From Hell" this game that is "Valfaris" continues to impress with it's hardcore challenges, and it's expertly crafted design. Within the gameplay offered you'll find a simple set of mechanics, but a playthrough gimmick that will truly test your mettle. As Therion you'll be guided along HALO style with an AI female companion who chimes in to help you find your way through certain obstacles. An AI assistant that also acts as your save beacon, and a means to upgrade your arsenal of weapons along the way. Weapons, as they are, come in a selection of three that can be used on the fly by simply pressing or holding the associated button. You'll find a pistol, a sword, and a heavy gun. Each of which can be upgraded using red orbs that are collected, and redeemed at resurrection fountains which are placed after a series of enemy, and boss encounters. Along the way you'll also find new weapons with different shot types, and unique capabilities that can be changed at the fountains where your progress is saved. Each weapon can also be upgraded three times. Each time changing the power of the weapon, and sometimes the shot spread.

Weapon usage, and mastery is the key to overcoming the insurmountable odds that come in the form of respawning enemies. Each weapon type is more effective against certain enemies as well. The melee sword, for example, is good for crowding ground based enemies while the pistol is good for the flying type, or enemies at a distance. One important thing to note is that Your heavy weapon, and shield which is a side option to your main arsenal uses up a blue meter. By picking up blue power-ups or destroying enemy projectiles with the sword you can regain blue meter, and reuse said weapons/abilities. The shooting weapons including the pistol, and heavy gun can be shot in almost all directions. Much like it would in a game like Contra. Making aiming a vital part of the platforming solution.

As far as the gameplay is concerned it is a cycle of checkpoint inclusive areas, or rather a small series of connected areas ending with a resurrection fountain at the end for progress saving that can only be activated if you have collected a resurrection idol along the way. By that I mean you will encounter waves of enemies, some puzzle elements, different platforming themes, environmental hazards, and the occasional boss or sub-boss before reaching a save point. As such the only way to not have to start over from the start in the mix off all of this is to collect a resurrection idol, and use it at these resurrection fountains. At the beginning of the game you can only carry so many resurrection idols, but will earn upgrades after defeating a boss allowing for more to be carried. Once you exceed that number the extra idols you collect are turned into health. Health of course is limited in Valfaris, and gauged by it's own red meter, but can also be refilled if you collect heart power-ups or stop by a resurrection fountain.

It should be noted as well that there is a new game plus DLC called, "Full Metal Mode" in development by Steel Mantis which will make the game even more challenging. You'll have to have completed the game in it's entirety, and have a game clear file saved before you can access the new content though. In the DLC you'll get to keep all the weapons, and upgrades you've collected in your playthrough, and will be gifted a slot for a 4th Destroyer class weapon to help you take on the more aggressive and powerful enemies. It's added replay value you don't often see in such a genre, and will definitely be a proper test of skill.

The Presentation ...

Visually Valfaris is well crafted science fiction platformer that makes gameplay more about overcoming challenges, and less about RPG micromanagement. It features impressive pixel construction, and animation that goes well beyond the oldschool 32bit look. Everything from the environments to the characters are of the highest quality detail, and maintain a clear distinction from one another despite being made of pixels. The colors included in the design are of a sci-fi influence that seemingly caters to the planetary tale being told. You'll find plenty of neons, reds, greens, purples, and other such colors as you play through the game. On top of that Valfaris continues the gory trend set in Slain with plenty of bloodletting, and gory bits to enjoy as you blast, and slice your way through to the end. The added headbanging, and guitar solo when Therion gains a new weapon is, but one of many features that adds to the badassery that is Valfaris. One of many features that plays into the metal nature of the game, and the soundtrack which compliments the game quite nicely. Speaking of all that Curt Victor Bryant who is a Celtic Frost Guitarist helped with the soundtrack while Andrew Gilmour did the art.

The Verdict ...

Valfaris is a game that knows what to prioritize. It presents the challenge first, and foremost leaving the player to mind the worldly elements more so than they do the arsenal of weapons, or weapon upgrades. The level is on par with most Metroidvanias as well, but as you play you will notice a pattern emerging that kind of limits variety outside of the environmental design itself. Even with the routine playthrough though the visual aesthetics, and killer soundtrack make the experience anything, but bland. If anything Valfaris is what we've come to expect from the developer. It stays on point with their own unique take on the genre, and is presented in a more mature fashion than most games from said genre portray. I actually ended up enjoying my time with the game, and found no real issues outside of the respawning enemies which feel kind of cheap when it comes to added challenge. All things weighed Valfaris is definitely not a game left wanting. It earns it's price tag, and is definitely something I could back, especially for the 2D platforming fans out there!