Recompile

 PC
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. The Indie Game Website
    Sep 7, 2021
    90
    When you perform an inaccurate jump and fall to the void, you won’t be terminated until you reach the bottom, which means you can be free-falling for about ten seconds before the round concludes. However, these problems are secondary to the mixed, complicated emotions I experienced–from the pure joy and satisfaction when finishing a challenging area, to more complex and bitter thoughts about our humanity–and our efforts to be better. Hypervisor provokes conversations not only about our daily dependence on technology, our increasing levels of anxiety around it, or the isolation bubbles created through social media, but how our imminent future could be made even worse. Hopefully, we can change this trajectory before it’s too late–if it isn’t already too late.
  2. TheGamer
    Aug 19, 2021
    90
    As I sit here now, wrapping up this review in an attempt to shut myself up before I accidentally spoil something I would rather people experience for themselves, I am wearing a stupid smile. I am, at this moment, thinking about how great it would be for Recompile to garner the attention, respect, and acclaim it deserves. This is no ordinary game - it is brilliant and ambitious and frustrating in the one and only way that frustration can be a positive term. Recompile is a rare gem in a cave of unremarkable cobblestone, a pearl among cracked shells and coarse sand. If you do one thing after reading this review, do both yourself and I a favour: download Recompile, and once you're done with it, tell your friends to download it, too.
  3. Gfinity
    Aug 19, 2021
    90
    As you can probably tell, Recompile is rather special. The mix of the stunning aesthetic, beautiful music, fun combat, and interesting hacking systems all make for something that feels different to any other Metroidvania I've played before. I really like it, and the fact that it's so open and full of potential means this is the kind of game people will be telling their own stories about for ages to come.
  5. COGconnected
    Aug 23, 2021
    87
    Recompile is the complete adventure package. It has good gameplay, an intriguing minimalist story, striking visuals and music, and developers who respect the player’s ability to explore on their own. Go get it, you won’t be disappointed.
  6. Screen Rant
    Aug 19, 2021
    80
    Recompile is an excellent option for fans of Metroidvanias, challenging gameplay, and unique ideas.
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  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Aug 19, 2021
    Despite it's so-so action, Recompile is a brilliant adventure and unlocking its mysteries is a blast. It could be a bit clearer when steering you to the next step, but the strength of its platforming and puzzling more than makes up for it. Love me some hacking and code now.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 19
  3. Negative: 7 out of 19
  1. lisophorm
    Sep 18, 2021
    2
    I waited for so long the release of this game... I had such high hopes. Unfortunately the amazing visuals and compelling story are killed by aI waited for so long the release of this game... I had such high hopes. Unfortunately the amazing visuals and compelling story are killed by a subpar videogame. Clunky movements, then you die and you are forced to go trough the cutscenes without skipping, I could go on and on. Such a wasted potential… Full Review »
  2. niksbrm
    Sep 2, 2021
    8
    After all those genres combined, i think that, Recompile, is mostly a narrative game after all. I found the story incredible interesting andAfter all those genres combined, i think that, Recompile, is mostly a narrative game after all. I found the story incredible interesting and well written. The gameplay is fun too, specially the platforming. The biggest problem for me was having to wait until i reach the bottom of the map every time i fall off; there are always large falls and become tedious quickly. But that was my only problem tbh.
    The bosses are wonderful, the music fits the story in every scene and the controls are as responsive as they should be.    … Full Review »
  3. MetroidDatabase
    Aug 30, 2022
    3
    Remember the 90s where game dev studios made all these experimental, 3rd person platformer-shooters with terrible design flaws and they wereRemember the 90s where game dev studios made all these experimental, 3rd person platformer-shooters with terrible design flaws and they were nearly impossible to enjoy because you were struggling with the camera while also trying to combat enemies without being able to lock on to them? Do you like nonsense "hit the switch" puzzles? Do you think basic weapons like a shotgun that's completely worthless because it overheats is your idea of a good time? Well, all those issues and more are back in Recompile.

    Do you enjoy slippery play control where you have to be so incredibly delicate with your jumping? Gone is the ability to even see where your character is going to leap to or any possible hint of depth perception, because they decided to 1. put no shadow underneath it and 2. the game is extremely dark 100% of the time with only very subtle neon lights to guide you. So if you have slightly bad vision (those with astigmatism, beware), good luck actually trying to figure out where to go next. Oh let's not forget the level design of the entire game is meant to completely screw you up and make you continuously fall off and die. I fell off the game's world within the first 10 seconds of playing the game. It's ridiculous.

    And then the game's "lore" is told through long, uninteresting corporate email communications between IT people - is this something I enjoy reading? NO! This is exact OPPOSITE of enjoyable. I would rather skim through articles on Wikipedia. At least I'd be getting some education.

    The game has a very minimal art style and music, as well as decent SFX, but it's also covered with ugly 80s ASCII art UI that only very old people are going to appreciate. I thought I liked it at first but in the end, I was just over it.

    Don't get me started on the game's almost indecipherable map.
    Do not bother with this game. I'm glad I didn't pay a penny for it (Amazon Games).    … Full Review »
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