Valfaris Game Review – Every metalhead’s dream?
Valfaris is a heavy metal infused 2D action platformer. Developed by Steel Mantis and published by Big Sugar. The game revolves around shooting and slashing your way past multiple monsters and deadly bosses.
I must admit, I love this game. However I was also in the minority of people who loved Steel Mantis’ “Slain!” It was much less well received than this game in general but I personally loved it. Valfaris is very much similar, besides a little polish and a lot of guns, it’s a pretty similar game. Why the two have been so differently received will always be a mystery to me but I digress. Time for the review.
Plot
Valfaris is pretty simple (which is good cos it makes the gameplay that much more fun but more on that later.) You play as Therion, a resident of the once grand fortress of Valfaris. After years of disappearing entirely from the galactic charts, it reappears suddenly and is now overrun by darkness.
Therion works to destroy the darkness and bring his home back to the once great citadel it used to be.
Gameplay
This is where Valfaris really shines. It’s gameplay. Once again, because it’s a 2D platformer it’s nothing overly complex but it is massively fun. You have a sword and start off with just one gun. Your weapons can be upgraded and you can also use a sword to hack your way through enemies if you wish. Though some enemies are more susceptible to gunfire so it’s best to whip out the big guns for that.
You traverse through the different levels of Valfaris, fighting bosses along the way and destroying every and all monsters that come your way. KILL ‘EM ALL!
Music
I don’t usually give music it’s own mention in a review unless it’s a key part of the game. In this case it very much is. The heavy metal guitars screaming in the background as you slay your way through level after level gives this game just the lift it needs to take it from good to great!
Final Thoughts
Do I think Valfaris is an amazing game? Yes absolutely. Especially for a metal fan. Unfortunately I don’t think it’s going to get the attention it deserves regardless of having mostly good reviews.
It’s a fantastic game that has clearly had alot of thought and hard work put into it but I’ve yet to see anyone pay it much attention other than “yeah it’s good.” And moving on.
Maybe it’s just me but I feel that, just like Arise: A Simple Story, it’s going to be another indie release that gets good reviews but eventually will be overlooked. Far more overlooked than it should be.
It’s lack of deep lore and story actually works in it’s favour because it allows the game to be a bit more tongue in cheek and take the mickey out of itself a bit more than if it had focused massively on storyline.
Valfaris plays smoothly and well and has a great sense of humour. It’s unlikely to change gaming forever but it’s an extraordinarily fun game that you can sink hours into and never once be bored.
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