The Messenger

The story of The Messenger is widely praised for its engaging narrative, humor, and clever use of time-travel mechanics. Critics like Push Square and The Games Machine highlight its "surprising twists and turns" and "brilliant narrative with comedic writing," respectively, while TheSixthAxis and GameSpot commend the "surprisingly inventive" time-travel elements and "excellent writing" that blend self-awareness with a retro aesthetic. The game’s post-apocalyptic world, where ninjas are the last survivors, is noted for its charm by Metro GameCentral and GameOver.gr, and its irreverent tone is celebrated by CGMagazine and IGN Italia, who describe it as "tongue-in-cheek" and filled with "witty dialogue" and "Easter eggs." Nintendo Life emphasizes the "clever revelations" and "unexpected twists," while DualShockers praises how the story intertwines with gameplay mechanics, making it "fascinating" and unique. The protagonist’s journey, though simple in premise, is elevated by character-driven humor, particularly the "laugh out loud jokes" and "memorable character" like the Shopkeeper, as highlighted by TheSixthAxis and Nintendojo. However, some critics point to the story’s initial premise as somewhat clichéd or overly familiar. The Games Machine describes it as a "banal premise," and Switch Player calls it "pretty trite," though both acknowledge its self-aware humor and meta references that offset this. Nintendojo notes that the writing, while "mostly funny," can occasionally feel "abrasive," and USgamer criticizes the "slim" plot, arguing that time travel is "largely relegated to the background." Cubed3 and Destructoid mention the straightforward nature of the protagonist’s mission, with Destructoid adding that the narrative shifts into exploration-focused gameplay later. While these critiques are minor, they suggest that the story’s strength lies in its execution and subversion of genre tropes rather than originality, with some reviewers feeling the core concept lacks depth before the twists take hold. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive, with the story of The Messenger being celebrated for its humor, writing, and narrative ingenuity. Despite acknowledging the simple or familiar setup, most reviewers agree that the game’s clever twists, time-travel mechanics, and retro-inspired satire elevate it beyond its initial premise. GameSpot and IGN Italia praise its "ambitious narrative" and "rich backstory," while Nintendo Life and Nintendojo highlight the "engaging" and "amusing" qualities that keep the experience fresh. Even critics with reservations, like USgamer and Nintendojo, concede that the story’s self-awareness and comedic elements make it memorable. The game’s ability to balance nostalgia with innovation, and its focus on character and dialogue, create a narrative that resonates across platforms, with Cubed3 and DualShockers noting its unique blend of homage and originality. While not without flaws, the story is seen as a standout feature that enhances the game’s retro charm and replayability.

The gameplay of The Messenger is widely praised by critics for its tight controls, engaging mechanics, and immersive experience. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to make players feel like a skilled ninja, with mechanics such as the "cloud-step" and mid-air sword attacks adding a layer of depth and precision. Cubed3 commends the game's "impactful upgrade tree" and "frequent new gear unlocks," which contribute to a satisfying flow and mastery of core mechanics. Similarly, GameSpot and IGN note the brilliance of the "Cloud Stepping" mechanic, which requires skill and timing, while Game Informer and Nintendo Life emphasize the "death-defying platforming sequences" and "progressive challenges." The game's transition from a 2D platformer to a Metroidvania-style experience is also seen as a major strength, with Metro GameCentral and Vandal pointing out the smooth evolution and clever level design that keeps players engaged throughout. Despite the overall positive reception, some critics mention minor drawbacks in the gameplay. GameSpew notes that the "upgrades and skills become less frequent in the second half," which can lead to a more frustrating platforming experience. EGM points out that while the game is reminiscent of Ninja Gaiden, some areas could have been more challenging, and the backtracking for collectibles felt like a chore. Additionally, while most praise the game's difficulty curve, a few suggest that the later stages may not maintain the same level of innovation or challenge as the early game. However, these criticisms are relatively minor and do not overshadow the game's strengths, as many still find the gameplay to be "challenging but fair" and "addictive." Overall, the consensus among critics is that The Messenger delivers a highly enjoyable and well-crafted gameplay experience. The majority of reviews, including those from Cubed3, GameSpot, and IGN, emphasize the game's tight controls, unique mechanics, and engaging progression system. While some critics point out that the later stages may feel less dynamic, the game is consistently praised for its blend of retro-inspired platforming, Metroidvania elements, and innovative traversal mechanics. The gameplay is seen as a strong highlight, with many reviewers noting that it provides a satisfying challenge and a rewarding sense of progression, making it a standout title in the action-platformer genre.

The majority of critics praised The Messenger’s graphics and visual design for their nostalgic, retro-inspired aesthetic and technical execution. Many highlighted the seamless transition between 8-bit and 16-bit styles, which they felt enhanced the game’s storytelling and gameplay. Metro GameCentral and Nintendo Life commended the deliberate choice of retro visuals, noting they were not merely budget-driven but a thoughtful homage to classic gaming eras. CGMagazine and GamesBeat lauded the "gorgeous" pixel art, with detailed backgrounds and distinct environments that evolved across time periods. The Sydney Morning Herald and Trusted Reviews emphasized the "charmingly retro" visuals, while Nintendo Enthusiast called them "drop dead gorgeous," praising the "highly detailed animations and sprites." Critics like GameCrate and GameSpot also noted the "richer backgrounds" and "diverse color palette" in the 16-bit sections, reinforcing the game’s ability to blend authenticity with visual flair. These reviews collectively underscored how the art direction effectively evoked the feel of vintage consoles while maintaining a fresh, engaging experience. However, some critics pointed to specific shortcomings. Cubed3 criticized the later game’s reliance on reused assets, calling the backtracking "uninspired," while The Games Machine and Nintenderos noted a lack of enemy variety, describing them as "generic and repetitive." We Got This Covered echoed this sentiment, suggesting more enemy diversity would have improved the experience. Additionally, The Games Machine and Nintenderos mentioned that while the level design was strong, the enemy variety fell short, and Vooks pointed out the absence of the classic NES yellow palette as a minor quibble. These critiques, though present, were relatively isolated and often framed as suggestions for refinement rather than major flaws, indicating that the game’s visual strengths overshadowed these issues for most reviewers. Overall, the consensus among critics was overwhelmingly positive, with the retro graphics and visual design being a standout feature. While a few reviewers noted minor issues like repetitive enemies or asset reuse, the majority celebrated the game’s ability to authentically capture the essence of 8-bit and 16-bit eras while innovating through its time-travel mechanics and environmental variety. Publications like IGN, GameSpot, and Nintendo Life emphasized the "seamless" and "visually stunning" transitions, and even critics with reservations acknowledged the game’s charm and technical craftsmanship. The nostalgic appeal, combined with meticulous attention to detail and a bold artistic choice, solidified The Messenger as a visually compelling title that resonated with fans of classic platformers and indie design alike.

The sound design and music of The Messenger received widespread acclaim, with critics praising its nostalgic, well-crafted, and immersive qualities. Many highlighted the game’s chiptune soundtrack as a standout feature, with Cubed3 calling it “fantastic” and noting its contribution to the game’s atmosphere. Gameblog.fr and Metro GameCentral emphasized the catchy melodies and retro aesthetic, while CGMagazine and GameCrate appreciated the attention to detail, such as muffled underwater music and era-specific sound effects. The dual 8-bit and 16-bit audio styles were frequently lauded, with Push Square and Destructoid noting the dynamic transitions and the “welcome audio upgrade” in the 16-bit sections. Nintendojo and USgamer praised the evolution of the soundtrack, blending NES and SNES/Genesis influences, while The Sydney Morning Herald and Trusted Reviews celebrated its nostalgic, retro feel. Overall, the music was seen as a core element that enhanced immersion and gameplay. While the majority of reviews were positive, some critics pointed to minor drawbacks. Nintenderos noted that the music, while catchy, could become repetitive, and EGM mentioned that some 16-bit remixes were criticized for their quality. Cubed3 compared the soundtrack to Ninja Gaiden, suggesting it fell short of that benchmark, though this was an outlier. Additionally, GameSpot observed a contrast between the chiptune style and the game’s 16-bit art, which some might find jarring. However, these critiques were relatively rare and often framed as minor quibbles rather than major flaws, with most reviewers agreeing that the soundtrack’s strengths far outweighed its shortcomings. The overall consensus among critics was overwhelmingly positive, with IGN calling the chiptune soundtrack “one of the best retro-themed soundtracks out there” and Vandal praising its composition using FamiTracker to mimic classic NES and SNES sounds. The game’s ability to blend 8-bit and 16-bit audio styles was seen as a unique and effective choice, with Easy Allies and Switch Player highlighting the “cool effect” of the transitions. Nintendo Life and We Got This Covered emphasized the music’s catchiness and its role in setting the tone for the adventure. While a few critics noted minor issues, the overwhelming sentiment was that The Messenger’s sound design and music were exceptional, perfectly complementing its retro-inspired gameplay and enhancing the overall experience.

Summary unavailable

The technical performance of The Messenger is largely praised across its platforms, with several critics highlighting its smooth gameplay and responsive controls. Push Square, who reviewed the game on PS4, noted that it runs without bugs or dropped frames, indicating a solid performance on that system. GameSpace and GameSpew also praised the Nintendo Switch version, with GameSpace emphasizing that the controls are responsive and the game performs well in handheld mode, while GameSpew acknowledged minor framerate issues in docked mode but stated they don’t significantly impact gameplay. These positive remarks suggest that The Messenger is technically well-optimized on both PS4 and Nintendo Switch, delivering a stable and enjoyable experience. However, there are some technical drawbacks noted, particularly on the Nintendo Switch. COGconnected mentioned "occasional control slip," which could affect the precision of gameplay, while Hardcore Gamer pointed out minor technical issues such as clipping through instant-death situations and limited fast-travel points. These problems, though not major, indicate that the Switch version may have some polish issues that could frustrate players. Nintenderos noted the game’s storage requirements, which, while not a performance issue, highlights the game’s size and potential concerns for users with limited storage space. These negatives, while not detracting from the overall experience, suggest that there is room for improvement in the technical aspects of the Switch version. Overall, the critics seem to agree that The Messenger is a technically sound game, especially on the PS4, where it runs smoothly without any issues. On the Nintendo Switch, while there are some minor technical hiccups, they are not significant enough to overshadow the game’s charm and gameplay. GameSpew and GameSpace’s positive feedback on controls and performance in handheld mode contrasts with COGconnected and Hardcore Gamer’s more critical observations, but the consensus remains that the game is well-optimized and enjoyable across platforms. The technical performance, while not perfect on the Switch, is generally considered to be on par with the expectations for a title of this nature.

The overall sentiment among critics regarding the replay value of The Messenger is largely positive, with many highlighting its engaging mechanics and hidden content. Reviewers such as GameCrate, Nintendo Life, and Switch Player emphasize the game’s transformation into a metroidvania-style experience, allowing players to revisit levels and uncover new paths, which significantly enhances its longevity. The Games Machine notes the game’s 11–12-hour main campaign, extended by collectibles, while CGMagazine praises optional challenges like Power Seals and hidden locations that test players’ skills. Game Informer and Nintendo Enthusiast point to upgrades, skill trees, and branching paths as key motivators for replaying, and Nintendo Insider and Nintendo Life describe the addictive gameplay and collectibles as strong drivers for multiple playthroughs. Additionally, GameSpace and We Got This Covered mention unique sidequests and rewards, such as green coins and time shards, which add layers of incentive for returning to the game. However, several critics express concerns about the game’s replayability, particularly in its later stages. GameOver.gr and IGN Italia criticize the lack of enemy variety and the low difficulty, which may leave players seeking more challenge unsatisfied. EGM and We Got This Covered note that backtracking for collectibles can feel repetitive or grind-like, while IGN Japan and Cubed3 mention that the mid-game genre shift to metroidvania, though praised for its controls and level design, could have been more cohesive or impactful. ZTGD adds that later discoveries, while present, lack the excitement of earlier collectibles, and GameSpace suggests that some secrets, while plentiful, may not justify the effort required to obtain them. These critiques point to a potential imbalance between the game’s initial charm and its sustained engagement post-completion. Despite these criticisms, the consensus leans toward The Messenger offering a solid replay value, particularly for fans of platforming and exploration. While some reviewers, like GameCrate and Nintendo Life, argue that the metroidvania elements and collectibles provide enough depth to warrant multiple playthroughs, others, such as IGN Italia and Cubed3, feel the game’s design falls short of its potential in this regard. The mixed feedback reflects a game that balances rewarding exploration with some repetitive mechanics, making it appealing to those who enjoy its core systems but less so for players prioritizing sustained difficulty or variety. Overall, the game is seen as a memorable experience with strong foundations for replayability, though its later sections and lack of challenge may dilute its appeal for some.