Some say there are too many Metroidvania games for this world, yet when one as good as Crypt Custodian comes along, it serves as a reminder of exactly why so many developers chase that addictive fusion of explorative action. With shades of Death’s Door and Tunic, brotherly duo Kyle and Eric Thompson have made an approachable yet exceedingly enjoyable adventure full of combat, platforming, puzzles, and charm.
You play as a cat ordered to clean the afterlife after its death. The overlord assumes the broom you’re given will sweep the streets clean, but under their nose, it’s what’s used to form a means of escape. You’ll make friends with fellow animals and beat the bad guys and bosses along the way, navigating a vast map full of biomes and challenges. Witty dialogue brings protagonist Pluto and his pals to life, making for charming interactions at the end of every battle. All oh so delightful, it’s impossible not to come away with a smile plastered across your face.
It’s not quite top-down, but you play from an overhead perspective with hundreds of little islands making up the map to jump between. Pluto controls well thanks to responsive inputs and on-screen tells for where your leap will land, while combat is kept relatively simple but sources depth from upgrades and special attacks. You buy them using a currency dropped by enemies and the environment — don’t worry, though, this isn’t a Souls-like. Absolutely nothing is lost upon death.
The game develops with the introduction of new abilities, generally rewarded after boss fights. Most change how you approach and navigate the world, like additional dashes, clones, a boomerang, and more. If you’re not exploring side areas or conquering combat tests, then you’ll unlock these skills fairly quickly — roughly one every hour. One or two will take a little trial and error to fully figure out, however, as their capabilities can be slightly confusing at first. They help to give the title a great pace, ensuring you always have something new to consider or test in previously explored areas.
And while the differences between each zone are mostly just cosmetic, they all feel distinct enough with varied colours, enemy types, and overall themes. A chill soundtrack enhances the laidback and friendly tone kickstarted by the visuals and general gameplay direction, making Cyrpt Custodian a relaxing experience just as much as it is an entertaining one — an impressively accomplished game all in all.
