Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 27
  2. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Apr 16, 2021
    Narita Boy is a marvelous game in artistic and visual terms, but it is also a compelling game if you compare it with other metroidvania titles. A journey back to the 80s that you will enjoy more if you were a child when Spectrum or Amstrad were launched to the market. [Recommended]
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 43
  2. Negative: 10 out of 43
  1. Apr 18, 2021
    0
    Can't change keyboard binds. this is unacceptable in this time and age. There is no excuse for the lack of complete key rebinding otpion.
  2. Apr 1, 2021
    9
    This is an awesome adventure game, not perfect but very special and unforgettable.
  3. Apr 12, 2021
    6
    I really don't want to be harsh with this game, since it's made by such a small company and comes from Spain (my home country), no less.I really don't want to be harsh with this game, since it's made by such a small company and comes from Spain (my home country), no less.

    However, Narita Boy is pretty disappointing in most aspects. The combat is serviceable, it works but isn't really engaging. The main mechanic of the game is activating differently colored "modes" to kill enemies with that color quicker, but none of the bosses use the mechanic. In fact, the majority of the bosses are either easy and boring or frustrating in a badly designed way. The other part of the gameplay consists of jumping around, acquiring powerups that can only be used in very specific ways, and add nothing to the game, they're just cool ideas that aren't incorporated in any meaningful way into the gameplay. You'll constantly be talking to NPCs that have the same 5 to 10 appearances, and the dialogue is baffling. Seriously, I got into the game hoping for an engaging story about a digital kingdom, which really is my jam, but it's really badly delivered. About halfway through the game I started skipping every single dialogue because I found it really hard to concentrate on what's being explained (and I'm used to playing old-school RPGs, reading long texts is not a problem for me if they're interesting enough). The backstory of the creator was the only thing I didn't skip, and it was the most enjoyable aspect of the game.

    The final boss is probably the worst in the game, with really poor telegraphy on attacks, and being more of a big damage sponge with bullsh** moves rather than a powerful evil techno-wizard. The game ends on a high note with a big twist, but just after that you get a powerup called "Beat 'em up" and the game just ends with a "To be continued...". I guess it's a way of telling us the next game will be a beat 'em up?

    Anyways it's not awful, just frustratingly average for the potential it had.
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