Eden: Genesis | PS5 Review

The year is 2072, and Leah Anderson, a participant in the adoption of neural link technology, has learned firsthand the consequences of having such implants. That like computers, cybernetics are also subject to unforeseen issues. In this case SND, or the deterioration of one's mind is the price to pay for the gamble at new cyber abilities. To counter this system degradation Leah undergoes, at will, an experimental treatment hosted by a resident AI, who through simulation, has Leah fighting away her own mind virus. All to the tune of fast paced acrobatic traversal, and sword based combat. Efficiency being the key to unlocking the path forward, and ridding Leah of her SND affliction.

Leah's AI exercises in simulated environments, and SND extermination is one of puzzle platforming  based trials that will test, on a timed basis, her performance and utilization of the given mechanics. Rewarding her with memory nodes and a lettered grading for performances completed. At her disposal is a triple jump, dash, air dash, slide, wall jump, basic sword slash, heavy sword slash, and concentrated beam. All of which is to be used against SND artifacts and enemies.

As Leah takes on trials she will earn score through a synchro meter that counts maintained momentum against the SND artifacts, and virtual SND enemies. Continuously collecting or taking out SND targets as well as enemy sequences will max out the synchro score multiplier, and award you with a lettered grading up to the highest possible grading which is an "S+". The goal for all trials is to complete quickly enough to earn enough standard or advanced memory nodes in order to be able to gain access to the next area. Each area, in turn, containing within it a set amount of progressively more difficult trials to complete. 

As far as story goes it is told from Leah's perspective as she engages in conversation with the AI host, and other key characters of interest. This includes lightly animated story panels, and textual dialogue boxes with voice acting included. Leah herself comes off as an independent girl boss in all of it with a tendency to drop the "F-Bomb" for no good reason. Her language is crass, and her demeanor prideful. She is bound and determined to rid herself of SND, and this headstrong mentality might just see her through it.

The Presentation ...

For a hand drawn Metroidvania of this caliber, "Eden: Genesis" oddly comes with all the modern graphics toggles necessary for the best visuals and audio on a 4K display. The kind of options you'd find on a maximized PC gaming experience. It seems like overkill to me, but the colorful cyberpunk designs really pop onscreen, and standout, because of this. That being said level design in the trial simulations are dumbed down, and barebones compared to the detailed cyberpunk cityscape of Eden. A stark contrast in playable locales that honestly detracts from visual potential on a regular basis.

The Verdict ...

Eden:Genesis, pushes hard mechanics that should be more easily executable. It makes completing trials unnecessarily more difficult than they should be by conditioning the player to approach gameplay in a specific manner. It is this strict adherence to trial approach the also lessens the fun to be had. Making the ordeal more of a challenge than an explorative Metroidvania action adventure. I believe the developers' focus on the trials, and mechanics really stripped away value from what could have been a more traditional Metroidvania experience by going this route. 

Alongside that Leah's character comes off as a crude unrelatable girl boss who is so self-centered and prideful that the player cannot sympathize with her plight. She lacks any sense of emotion that isn't straight up non-caring for the potential consequences of her adoption of the neuro link implants. It's a devil may care attitude that does not attract empathy or sympathy. Making her end goal less of a goal the player would be mutually invested in seeing to it's conclusion. 

Through artificial difficulty, and a character who is absolutely self-absorbed we find an experience that does not attract a willingness to commit. The gameplay, and it's requirements for strict adherence leave little room for error making each trial a chore in tedium. It is not likely to trigger perfectionists to want to 100% complete the game let alone get an S+ ranking on each and every trial. The added fact that the character controls in a very stiff and rigid manner only serves to make such a goal all the more difficult. 

All things considered this game is not one I'd recommend. Not as a fan of Metroidvanias, and not as a fan of puzzle platformers. It could have been so much better, and in so many ways. The girl boss narrative, and her half-hearted investment in a fight to thwart a cybernetic disease is nothing worth caring about from a storytelling perspective.