After Death (2017)

After Death doesn’t revolutionize metroidvanias, but it doesn’t exactly seek out to do so either. It’s simply a development team creating their own world and story in a tried and true format. Its self referential nature regarding the gargoyle statues gives an element of levity to the macabre setting with enough of a challenge to keep the game from getting boring without ever threatening to be frustrating through the varied seven unique areas. The well-designed boss fights are a highlight and the transformation Mr. Bones goes through from a useless skeleton to a force to be reckoned with at the end of the adventure is a satisfying process. After Death is a welcome addition to any metroidvania fan’s game collection.