8/10
Putting the design aspect of the game aside, it immediately won me over artistically. The way it utilizes retro visuals and color tones is not only impressive but also manages to feel both familiar and distinct from any other game. From a genre perspective, blending two rising genres—before their popularity has fully peaked—is a fantastic combination, especially for fans like me.
Before getting into the drawbacks, I want to mention that I genuinely enjoyed the story and characters, which was probably helped by the fantastic artwork. As for the slightly weaker aspect, the game, unlike other titles that attempt to merge Metroidvania and rogue-lite elements, leans more toward the Metroidvania side. While this isn't inherently bad, it does create some friction between the exploration-driven progression of Metroidvanias and the restart-heavy nature of rogue-lites in the later stages.
That said, I don’t think it’s a major issue, and if a sequel ever happens, I’m sure it will be an even more polished experience.