Crypt Custodian

This black cat brings us luck… and an excellent Metroidvania from an unusual perspective.

Crypt Custodian takes a relatively dark plot and makes it whimsical, showing an at-times scary yet mostly wholesome version of the afterlife. With solid, familiar Metroidvania mechanics, great art, and fun characters, Crypt Custodian is sure to win you over.

While backtracking can get a little much towards the end, and the lack of any real new ideas is a bit of a drag, Crypt Custodian is a thoroughly enjoyable adventure that’s bound to appeal to metroidvania veterans and newcomers alike. Don’t let this one slip through the cracks.

I really appreciate Crypt Custodian for knowing its strengths and exploring them throughout the roughly 10 hours it took me to complete the game. The mix of Metroidvania and isometric platforming elements mix really nicely in a title where precision and readability are king. You won’t find a nail-biting challenge in this game, but some extra post-game boss rush modes can prove really demanding and give you that edge. And while the subject matter can be a bit much if you’re sensitive the same way I am to pet an animal death, Crypt Custodian made me look back fondly and remember my childhood pet and every animal I’ve ever loved.

Crypt Custodian goes a slightly different way from the typical indie metroidvania by offering an isometric perspective, which it fully leverages with enjoyable platforming and a charming world to explore.