Lords of Exile | PS4

Absolute power corrupts, absolutely. This is a hard lesson that our anti-hero Gabriel learns from a young age as a village's would be savior turned adversary. Following the lead of Galagar, a tyrant in his own right, Gabriel would try to become as powerful as the merciless marauders that killed his fellow villagers. 

Becoming Galager's right hand man though came with a price, and that price was paid by the blood of Gabriel's beloved. Galager eventually saw Gabriel as a direct threat during his time serving, and thus sent a message via murder to dissuade him from ever attempting the takeover of Galager's place in power. Unfortunately for Galager, Gabriel was hellbent on revenge after having been wronged. He set out with bloodlust on his mind, and a sword in his hand.

Looking like a game inspired by both Castlevania and Ninja Gaiden, 'Lords of Exile' plays fairly much as one would expect such an inspired indie to. Traversal through the several themed locations is a slow, and methodical undertaking wherein dealing with creatures of the night and Galager's boss-like henchmen using upgradeable abilities and obtained skills is an arduous undertaking, but rewarding if you can master the combat. 

At Gabriel's beckon call is a basic sword attack, a sliding maneuver, and an aerial sword ground pound for alternatively entering lower levels of an area as well as dealing the deathblow to anything underneath. All of these core abilities can be enhanced and added to by defeating bosses, and acquiring their innate power. Additionally sub-bosses offer bonus skills that run on a curse meter which builds up as you slay the denizens of the dark lord, Galager.

As you move throughout the Metroidvania inspired platforming stages you will use your abilities, a limited use throwing weapon, and skills to deal with any threat that stands in your way. All while avoiding pitfalls, and deadly traps. Ultimately leading you to each area's end boss, and a battle that will test your patience as well as your mastery of the mechanics. The only thing staving off death being that of a health bar that can be refilled with found or bought hearts/potions. Thankfully death never comes to a point of GAME OVER. Leaving you to try and try again until you make it through to the next stage in line. 

Narratively your adventure is guided by a wayward spirit who is summoned at piles of bones from time to time to chime in, and give you a little more context as to what is going on. Further fleshing out the plot, and insight on key characters as well as key features. A way to make sense of this somewhat straightforward quest for vengeance.

The Presentation ...

Lords of Exile is one step above what the retro Castlevania and Ninja Gaiden games provided back in the day. Both visually, and audibly. The stages and characters are pixel constructed in a similar fashion as it's earlier inspirations, and features a blended color palette consistent of those said experiences. The biggest difference between them and 'Lords of Exile' being the layered parallax set pieces that make up each and every stage. Giving it a slightly updated appearance. Of course chiptunes are the soundtrack's go to method for in-game tunes, and it is fitting as it stays true to the genre.

The Verdict ...

Lords of Exile is a game that is both brutally punishing, and filled with at least one game breaking bug. I personally was unable to get past a certain point, because a passage would not open up after I had acquired the samurai shadow skill that was dependent upon the curse meter. I had beat the two samurai sub-bosses, was prompted to activate the shadow skill, and ended up stuck unable to advance. This needs fixing ASAP! 

That aside ... if you can get past the brutal challenge tied to the core mechanics and platforming you might end up enjoying this inspired indie. It looks amazing, has an interesting story, and an intriguing world filled with interesting characters and creatures. I do hope the game gets a fix, and if it does I think it's fair enough to say it would be worthy of a diehard Castlevania/Ninja Gaiden fan's money.