The Messenger

 PC
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 197 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 142 out of 197
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 197
  3. Negative: 17 out of 197

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  1. skohl
    Jun 30, 2019
    7
    Another gorgeous retro pixel art platformer. It has a large variety of detailed levels with great music.
    Gets a yellow rating from me for two reasons: 1) inconsistent difficulty, the majority of the game is so easy you barely have to think, but one specific challenge room at the end of the game (the last one you need) made me extremely frustrated. The bosses also become easier as you    Another gorgeous retro pixel art platformer. It has a large variety of detailed levels with great music.
    Gets a yellow rating from me for two reasons: 1) inconsistent difficulty, the majority of the game is so easy you barely have to think, but one specific challenge room at the end of the game (the last one you need) made me extremely frustrated. The bosses also become easier as you progress which makes it feel anticlimactic.
    Reason 2) is the backtracking. There are 'points of no return' in some levels, which close you off from backtracking and instead force you to warp out, backtrack to the entrance of the level, and play it over again from the start. Combine that with the too-easy gameplay that sometimes lapses into frustration, and you have tedium. The only other flaw I'd point out is that the story does not take itself seriously at all, which makes me as a player not take it seriously either.    … Expand
  2. JonsGone
    Apr 10, 2019
    7
    Lacks a little something.
    Soundtrack is great but nothing more.
    Story is great but nothing more.
    Gameplay is fine.
    Metroidvania elements underexplored.
  3. Relkad
    Sep 5, 2020
    7
    It can get boring pretty easily but the humor and the music keeps you going.
  4. Pmstz
    Jan 30, 2023
    7
    Very nice.

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  5. Leo_Manzano
    May 6, 2022
    7
    Working...........................................................................
  6. nitorita
    Jul 15, 2020
    6
    A decent game that looks and plays like one you'd find on the SNES. However, that's also probably where it's lacking, since you can't lower modern expectations to match the expectations of a game released in the 90's.

    This game is interesting in the beginning as you're learning it, but once you're a few bosses in, you start to feel the urge to simply rush to the end. The ordinary    A decent game that looks and plays like one you'd find on the SNES. However, that's also probably where it's lacking, since you can't lower modern expectations to match the expectations of a game released in the 90's.

    This game is interesting in the beginning as you're learning it, but once you're a few bosses in, you start to feel the urge to simply rush to the end. The ordinary monsters aren't challenging since you can button mash them, and the early bosses aren't particularly special either. There are some areas that are a bit clunky to get through, which slows down progress.

    The game as a whole is split into two parts. The first part is a linear platformer that lasts about three hours. The second is a Metroidvania where you search through past areas for some "music notes." Unfortunately, by the time you're done the first part, you'll likely be burned out from the game and want to quit. It's extremely hard to justify playing the second half, since it is a super long fetch quest that involves grinding money and doesn't offer any bosses throughout until its eventual completion. I lost the will to continue on with the game after trying this part out for a little.

    This game is enjoyable only in short bursts. It isn't a memorable game, doesn't have replay value, and never tries to "go the extra mile," but some of the bosses are enjoyable. This game easily felt like it lasted three times longer than the actual time I put in. Since the second part of the game is extremely boring though, I cannot recommend this game.    … Expand
  7. michaelb1928
    Feb 8, 2019
    6
    driven. The game has levels but turns into a metroidvania, with a sprawling map later in the game. It is an interesting mechanic, and along with the 8-bit to 16-bit changing mechanic, this game has more than enough original game mechanics to
  8. mennybolt
    Oct 21, 2022
    7
    Game is amazing at the start but overall it lacks a challenge, it is way too easy for genre. However, 8-bit to 16-bit switch and humour gives you the fresh blood to keep you going. Unfortunately that is ruined by game's love and passion to make itself longer and longer which ends up with the most boring backtrack. Just give me the content. Why are all the games are so obsessed to make youGame is amazing at the start but overall it lacks a challenge, it is way too easy for genre. However, 8-bit to 16-bit switch and humour gives you the fresh blood to keep you going. Unfortunately that is ruined by game's love and passion to make itself longer and longer which ends up with the most boring backtrack. Just give me the content. Why are all the games are so obsessed to make you waste more time on it? Why are you begging me to hate this game? Why does it matter if I play 3 more hours on it? Really wasted potential. It could easily be Katana Zero or Celeste level game.… Expand
  9. IMR707
    Feb 13, 2021
    7
    8/10 great game but later on game were a drag and the late game difficulty spike is baffling it's frustrating
  10. Wrathzo
    Mar 24, 2022
    6
    The Messenger is an action-platform video game developed by Sabotage Studio and published by Devolver Digital. The Messenger is a side-scrolling action-platformer, inspired by the classic Ninja Gaiden series. Players control a ninja known as "The Messenger" as he goes on a quest to deliver a scroll. The Messenger initially possesses a technique called "Cloudstepping", which allows him toThe Messenger is an action-platform video game developed by Sabotage Studio and published by Devolver Digital. The Messenger is a side-scrolling action-platformer, inspired by the classic Ninja Gaiden series. Players control a ninja known as "The Messenger" as he goes on a quest to deliver a scroll. The Messenger initially possesses a technique called "Cloudstepping", which allows him to perform an extra jump in mid-air after attacking an enemy, object, or projectile. As the game progresses, the Messenger gains new abilities such as climbing walls, gliding in the air, long-range shuriken attacks, and using a grappling hook to propel himself through obstacles and enemies. By collecting Time Shards earned by defeating enemies or hitting lamps, the player can purchase additional upgrades such as health bonuses or extra attack moves. If the player dies, however, a demon named Quarble will appear and automatically claim any Time Shards the player collects as payment for a short amount of time.… Expand
  11. ylnylmn
    Jul 2, 2021
    7
    Good game but I expected better. The game music is awesome. Pixel art sweet. Dialogues and Bosses are funny. However, the levels are kept very short, you spend your time with the bosses rather than the platform. I didn't like the tower part. Timekeeper Boss this boss design was bad. It was so slow, when you die, it starts to feel like torture to try constantly. Let's come to the part whereGood game but I expected better. The game music is awesome. Pixel art sweet. Dialogues and Bosses are funny. However, the levels are kept very short, you spend your time with the bosses rather than the platform. I didn't like the tower part. Timekeeper Boss this boss design was bad. It was so slow, when you die, it starts to feel like torture to try constantly. Let's come to the part where I got stuck in the game, I went down the lasers from the door before the Timekeeper Boss to collect more crystals and accidentally saved the game below and could not go up again. Because lasers were blocking the road and there was no platform. And the game got stuck like this, so I had to quit the game :D. The game was good until this part, but I realized that the game is not for me. I like metroidvania and soulslike more. But I recommend it to platform lovers. If you say you are a master, you will enjoy it.… Expand
  12. eraybeycik
    Dec 31, 2020
    7
    Not bad....................................................................
  13. Frost_Cube
    Feb 1, 2021
    7
    Lacks a little something.
    Soundtrack is great but nothing more.
    Story is great but nothing more.
    Gameplay is fine.
    Metroidvania elements underex
  14. IdleSpace
    Jun 21, 2022
    6
    Ждал от игры хорошей метройдивании, по итогу задушился не дойдя до неё.
    Из плюсов - у авторов неплохое чувство юмора.
  15. Shnitz
    May 6, 2023
    6
    Good first half, second half is mediocre and gets worse at the end where i actually quit the game because it felt more and more like work and not fun.

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best PC Game of 2018
54
#54 Most Discussed PC Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. CD-Action
    Jan 9, 2019
    80
    It’s a tribute to the original Ninja Gaiden released in 1988, so the game obviously borrows a lot from genre’s progenitors, but it also adds a lot to the mix and its platforming mechanics are superb. Even though it gets less exciting in the second half, I have to recommend it. [11/2018, p.73]
  2. GameOver.gr
    Sep 14, 2018
    75
    Creating both an 8-bit and 16-bit aesthetic is a genius idea and a very meta way for depicting the world in the past and future eras. It’s also commendable that Sabotage introduced a clever alternative to the usual double jump function we usually see in the platform genre. Though it’s filled with charm and highly competent gameplay it’s marred by exhausting backtracking (even for the genre), few enemy types and a lack of challenge.
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  3. Eurogamer Italy
    Sep 13, 2018
    80
    Devolver Digital and Sabotage Studio propose a game that could innovate its genre.
    Read full review
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