Platforms: PC (version reviewed), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
Genre: 2D Action Platformer Paying Tribute To Castlevania

It seems these days that indie developers really go hard for 2D action platformers. If it’s not a Metroidvania, it’s a linear action game that emulates Konami’s Castlevania series; the earlier ones where you worry about staying alive as you climb up Dracula’s Castle, defeating ghouls and flying Medusa heads while not falling to your death in the game’s many pitfalls.

The latest 2D game from Squidbit Works, Lords Of Exile, is basically that but replace Dracula’s minions with Japanese ghosts, demons, samurai, and ninjas. An evil wizard has laid waste to the land and killed main character Gabriel’s wife, so off he goes to get his revenge as he attempts to kill the wizard and his cohorts, each of them challenging bosses and laid out in eight brutal stages.

Feudal Fanfare

I’ll say this: the game certainly doesn’t let up with the challenge. Due to how Gabriel controls, you have to be careful how and where you’re jumping. Falling in a pit or touching a spike means instant death. When you get hit, you get knocked back meaning there’s a chance you might go off-stage or onto a bed of spikes. Enemies can pop up fast and require you to react quick, with some of them acting as hit sponges meaning you may have to find a way to flee from the encounter.

Fortunately, Squidbit Works knows it audience and also understands that it’s the year 2024, which means that even if you die, you just start the segment you’re on, not the entire level. There’s no lives system at play, which means you’ll eventually progress onward and beat the bosses and the game through determination, memorization, and skill. There isn’t any frustration of starting over from scratch; you keep all progress from the last segment you’re on as the game has a generous checkpoint system (for what it’s aiming for).

Lords of Exile is tough, but it isn’t unfair. Most enemies die from one hit of your sword, which will have its range extended as you progress. You gain new powerups from the bosses you defeat, ranging from a double jump with strict timing to shadow spirits that can help break barriers or grapple to unreachable spots. The latter powerups can also be used in combat; your spirits do considerable damage from afar provided you have enough shadow power, which is surprisingly more abundant than health drops.

Each stage in Lords of Exile has its fair share of unique traps & hazards. From the submerged ruins with tricky platforming and collapsing columns that require precise timing to run and jump on, to the final few levels which mixes climbing and loads of enemies that can bump you off, the game will test your patience and willingness to endure 2D old-school trials. Unless you really don’t like pixel art, rockin’ 16-bit chiptune synths, and retro-level challenges with some worthy endgame unlockables like a new playable character, boss rush modes and time attacks, you may want to jump into this feudal warfare.

Live By The Sword…

While it’s not the most original offering I’ve seen, Lords of Exile still delivers enough thrills in terms of linear 2D action that respects the source material while adding a spin or two. Any game that makes me swear at monster spiders excessively is doing a great job at balancing that fine line between challenge and frustration.

Final Score: 80/100

Review copy provided by publishers PID Games and Pixelheart.