Name: One of very few Metroidvania games that I have attempted to 100%
Item: Astalon: Tears of the Earth
Rating: 9.8
Author: Makara Nou

Astalon: Tears of the Earth is developed by LABS Works and published by DANGEN Entertainment. You control three (??) characters and try to figure out how to save the world. Each character has a unique ability so you switch between them to solve puzzles and explore the castle where the root cause of the world destruction starts. As you can see, it’s a 16-bit retro game that focuses on exploration. It’s a Metroidvania!

In the early game, it seems like a puzzle platformer. But as the game progresses, each special ability actually helps you to reach the previously unexplorable area.

It’s NOT a roguelike game. But it feels like one. Every run feels fresh and challenging. If you die, you won’t start again at any save point but from the entrance to the castle. I must say it’s a bit punishing at first but the game is really well-balanced, and you will get strong at about the right pace and will be able to create shortcuts to the entrance to the castle soon enough. So it won’t take you long to go back to the place where you die previously. Plus, exploration incentivizes you very well. If you are curious about any area, you go visit it, and more often than not, you won’t come back empty-handed. The map is also simple and well-designed: easy to use and navigate. You can get items to make the map show more details. It will encourage you to explore even more or 100% it!

The game gave me a real sense of progression and achievement. And you don’t have to worry about difficult platforming, puzzles, enemy and boss fights. The game gave me a real sense of progression and achievement. And you don’t have to worry about difficult platforming, puzzles, enemy and boss fights. It’s just that well-balanced! I even enjoyed grinding for items as there were really good places to grind quickly with an awesome result!

The background pictures/statues and overall music are brilliant and suit the atmosphere nicely. The story can be generic but told in a unique way, but the characters look just okay. However, these factors didn’t hinder my experience too much.

**Conclusion**

Astalon: Tears of the Earth is amazing! It is now one of very few Metroidvania games that I have attempted to 100%. Unlike some other games that are fun first and tedious later or vice versa (the game I tried), this one is fun from start to finish. I gave it 9.5/10.

Astalon: Tears of the Earth is developed by LABS Works and published by DANGEN Entertainment. You control three (??) characters and try to figure out how to save the world. Each character has a unique ability so you switch between them to solve puzzles and explore the castle where the root cause of the world destruction starts. As you can see, it’s a 16-bit retro game that focuses on exploration. It’s a Metroidvania!In the early game, it seems like a puzzle platformer. But as the game progresses, each special ability actually helps you to reach the previously unexplorable area.It’s NOT a roguelike game. But it feels like one. Every run feels fresh and challenging. If you die, you won’t start again at any save point but from the entrance to the castle. I must say it’s a bit punishing at first but the game is really well-balanced, and you will get strong at about the right pace and will be able to create shortcuts to the entrance to the castle soon enough. So it won’t take you long to go back to the place where you die previously. Plus, exploration incentivizes you very well. If you are curious about any area, you go visit it, and more often than not, you won’t come back empty-handed. The map is also simple and well-designed: easy to use and navigate. You can get items to make the map show more details. It will encourage you to explore even more or 100% it!The game gave me a real sense of progression and achievement. And you don’t have to worry about difficult platforming, puzzles, enemy and boss fights. The game gave me a real sense of progression and achievement. And you don’t have to worry about difficult platforming, puzzles, enemy and boss fights. It’s just that well-balanced! I even enjoyed grinding for items as there were really good places to grind quickly with an awesome result!The background pictures/statues and overall music are brilliant and suit the atmosphere nicely. The story can be generic but told in a unique way, but the characters look just okay. However, these factors didn’t hinder my experience too much.ConclusionAstalon: Tears of the Earth is amazing! It is now one of very few Metroidvania games that I have attempted to 100%. Unlike some other games that are fun first and tedious later or vice versa (the game I tried), this one is fun from start to finish. I gave it 9.5/10.

Astalon: Tears of the Earth

One of very few Metroidvania games that I have attempted to 100%

Player Score

Makara Nou