Chasm (2018)

 PC
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
  1. We Got This Covered
    Aug 12, 2018
    40
    Chasm's beautifully realized world can't distract from an ill-fitting gimmick that leaves its gameplay unbalanced and repetitive.
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  1. Kotaku
    Aug 1, 2018
    This doesn’t make Chasm bad, it just makes it derivative. Imitations have their uses. Instant coffee is great in a pinch. Vinyl floors made up to look like hardwood last longer than their real counterparts. I’m happy there’s another Metroidvania game for me to dig into, especially one that feels as taut and classically inspired as Chasm. It’s just that after such a long wait those things no longer feel like enough.
  2. Vice
    Aug 1, 2018
    Even when the level design works, the shoddy platforming, combat, and bland world design drag down the long-in-development game.

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Most Shared PC Game of 2018

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 56 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 56
  3. Negative: 13 out of 56
  1. webbey
    Sep 8, 2018
    9
    Chasm is the type of game that I feel lucky to have found on Kickstarter. I would later experience the opposite reaction: wishing I'd neverChasm is the type of game that I feel lucky to have found on Kickstarter. I would later experience the opposite reaction: wishing I'd never backed a campaign. A lot can happen from the fundraising stage to release, and your opinions in games can change a lot. In this case, a game poised to crit my nostalgia weak spot wasn't likely to become less appealing to me over the course of development. These guys knew exactly what they wanted to make and they delivered.

    Chasm makes use of a procedurally generated level design. When you first create a new game, you are given the opportunity to create a new random seed, or enter a specific seed. Being able to choose the seed may be tailored to speedrunners, however, I wouldn’t be opposed to using the same layout for additional runs. I never found that the same layout in Castlevania games was a hindrance. The familiarity of knowing what was where was more appealing to me than the feeling of exploration. I’ll often encounter points of frustration in metroidvania games where I haven’t found that item or that area that’s required to move forward. Shuffling the level design seems like a deliberate way to accomplish this frustration, but I felt that my level layout worked pretty well and the portal system divided the maps up well enough. Although, I did find myself going back to town more often than every other save point.

    I loved the music, but like a lot of Chasm, I wish there was more. The way the game is broken up, you’ll spend a fair amount of time with the same music. Eventually it just blended in as I went about my business. On the other hand, I found some tracks amazing. I'd just leave the game paused with the music playing in the background while I worked on some other tasks between gaming. With the wind howling and Dom hammering away at the forge, I never grew tired of coming back to town. The track in Karthas really brought the snowy little town together.

    I chuckled out loud when I first recovered one of the artifacts. Bitkid’s choice in audio track for the event struck me immediately as something from a Quentin Tarantino movie. It’s like when they pause the move to introduce some villain, except in this case, you’re being introduced to one of your newest items. Better get those shoelaces tightened, you’re about to go someplace new.

    Pixel art may not be for everyone, but I'd argue that taking the time to play through a game that uses an art style that's perceived as looking old or outdated can provide perspective on games from the current generation. It reminds me of going back and watching older movies. They sometimes feel strange because they look different and the people sound different, or the effects are almost comical, but how many people hold the original Star Wars movies in higher regard than any of the modern releases? Better graphics don't necessarily make a better game.

    I'm completely biased towards pixel art, and I believe that it has an appropriate place as an art style for games. All the vistas that you come across on your journey provide a stunning amount of depth to this 2D experience.

    The monster design in look and mechanics gets more complex as you progress through the game. While The first zone may start to feel like a bit of an extended tutorial, the following zones may almost feel unforgiving when first encountered. The combat mechanics may feel halted at first, but after learning the limitations of combat, I began to appreciate the design. There's a more push and pull feel to each encounter, rather than hacking and slashing your way through the game.

    I wish that there was more content and I hope that Bitkid is able to come up with a way to continue the adventure. Chasm will hold a place in my list of favored games of the last couple years. I'm more Castlevania than Metroid, and I'm glad to have found a game that tried to capture that experience. I wish I held out for a Nintendo Switch release, because I think these lightweight games are perfect for that platform.

    The dollar to hours of entertainment ratio is well worth it. If you're a fan of Castlevania, you should look into Chasm.    … Full Review »
  2. Deeter79
    Aug 1, 2018
    9
    Beautiful pixel art and the soundtrack is amazing. I love this genre and the game does not disappoint. Don’t listen to the nay-sayers, ChasmBeautiful pixel art and the soundtrack is amazing. I love this genre and the game does not disappoint. Don’t listen to the nay-sayers, Chasm was worth the wait.… Full Review »
  3. veilex
    Aug 1, 2018
    8
    The game has a substantial amount of charm with its pixel-based graphics and Castlevania style game play. The mechanics may be a bit too closeThe game has a substantial amount of charm with its pixel-based graphics and Castlevania style game play. The mechanics may be a bit too close to Castlevania for some, but for me it only added a sense of nostalgia. The game doesn't necessarily do anything new, but what is does do, it tends to do quite well. There are some very minor issues with attack flow, but generally this can be resolved through weapon choice. Ultimately, while the game does have some minor bugs, its a fantastic buy for a mere $20. I definitely recommend it.… Full Review »
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