User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 197 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 17 out of 197

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  1. Jul 30, 2019
    10
    The Messenger лучшая из последних платформеров за последнее время.
    Юмор на высоте, перемена 8-бит на 16-бит это что-то новое! История просто захватывает. Геймплейная часть просто неподражаемая. Музыка - как в лучших играх Dendy. Побольше бы таких. Рпг - часть тоже продуманная.
    Сказать что это просто игра - трудно и не уместно!
    The Messenger лучшая из последних платформеров за последнее время.
    Юмор на высоте, перемена 8-бит на 16-бит это что-то новое! История просто захватывает. Геймплейная часть просто неподражаемая. Музыка - как в лучших играх Dendy. Побольше бы таких. Рпг - часть тоже продуманная.
    Сказать что это просто игра - трудно и не уместно!
  2. Sep 12, 2018
    10
    This was one of the greatest 2D platformers I have played. And it is a really funny game too, like really great job with that! Great balance of gameplay and storytime if you want to talk to the shop keep.
  3. Sep 3, 2018
    10
    Almost through the game. An amazing game that lives up to the likes of Celeste and moreso Shovel Knight because it is more combat 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 add to theAlmost through the game. An amazing game that lives up to the likes of Celeste and moreso Shovel Knight because it is more combat 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 add to the platformer genre. Because of this, and what it has done to advance platforming mechanics in general. This game deserves nothing but a 10. Expand
  4. Sep 10, 2018
    10
    I bought this game on Steam on the release date and didn't regret it a minute. It's a pure blast to the past. I completed it and will do it again.
  5. Dec 23, 2018
    10
    Game is great you CAN rebind keyboard so keyboard controls are re definable, the story is interesting, and the game play is outstanding. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys games of this style.
  6. Jan 21, 2019
    10
    For its price and game length, The Messenger offers an outstanding experience. Great fun, challenge, sense of humor, tight controls, incredible music... it doesn't lack content or drags on repetition at any point. Don't even bother with those hateful reviews of users who got the game for free on Twitch, tried it for 5 minutes and gave it low score. You gotta have a taste for retro themedFor its price and game length, The Messenger offers an outstanding experience. Great fun, challenge, sense of humor, tight controls, incredible music... it doesn't lack content or drags on repetition at any point. Don't even bother with those hateful reviews of users who got the game for free on Twitch, tried it for 5 minutes and gave it low score. You gotta have a taste for retro themed games, but if that's your case, this is a game to love, not quite at the same level as Shovel Knight, or Dead Cells, but not far away. The Messenger is one the best indie games of 2018. Expand
  7. Mar 9, 2019
    10
    The floor is lava!
    After you masterizes the jump skills you'll never want to touch the floor again, the level design is your magnum opus. I really love every moment of this game, thank you to the developers.
  8. Oct 24, 2019
    10
    So much fun to play with this game. The boss battles are unique and the Messenger's humour is literally awesome and funny. The controls are smooth and there's so much to do in this game. The story is 10h+, New Game+, DLC, and collectibles. Definetely worth to play with
  9. Jan 15, 2020
    10
    i love the messenger so much i love the music so much. the bosses are so good and fun to figth.
    if you havent playd it go do it
    100000 out of 100000

    p.s the shopkeeper is the best charcter in the game
  10. Feb 9, 2020
    10
    This game has wonderful characters, nice story , very good gameplay and a marvelous soundtrack! This is just a great retroinspired game!
  11. Apr 14, 2020
    10
    Possibly the best recent 2D side-scrolling game I have played. (the other contender is Shovel Knight) This is like the ideal Sega Genesis game I wish I could have played as a kid. I almost cried tears of joy the first time I reached the 16bit world.
  12. Aug 12, 2020
    10
    This game is a hidden gem, That I didn't know existed.

    Especially the final boss.
  13. Jul 20, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Perfect! I think this game is one of the best pixel ninja games, It's really remind me to old school Ninja Gaiden games on NES. Expand
  14. Jul 30, 2020
    10
    everything about this games screams classic to visuals from 8 bit graphics to the 16 bit graphics looking awesome. don't get me started on the music because they are just as amazing as graphics every song fits every level and time period. the game essential split into types of gameplay your standard run and kill to the metrovania style of game play and the games pulls them off really well.everything about this games screams classic to visuals from 8 bit graphics to the 16 bit graphics looking awesome. don't get me started on the music because they are just as amazing as graphics every song fits every level and time period. the game essential split into types of gameplay your standard run and kill to the metrovania style of game play and the games pulls them off really well. its a must have game. Expand
  15. Feb 28, 2022
    10
    For any fan of NES and SNES games. Old School by this meaning. This is your must-buy. Perfection.
  16. Sep 24, 2020
    10
    este juego es asombroso la musica es una de las mejores que escuche no me esperaba que cambiara de 8 bits a los 16 este juego al principio pense que no iba a ser la gran cosa pero resulto ser asombroso las mecanicas divierten bastantre hacer parkour todo el tiempo el personaje es algo genereico hast que sae transforma o cambia de aspecto con ese genial sombrero un gran juego
  17. Sep 18, 2020
    10
    jogo que joguei ele ja zerei e vou zerar a dlc bom dms gráficos bonitinhos e jogabilidade melhor com controle mas mt bom tmb no teclado
  18. Mar 10, 2021
    10
    This game is really complete. Songs sense of humor storyline dialogues and the most important gameplay. I think this game is master of indie games
  19. Feb 6, 2021
    10
    For the price, this game is unbelievably good. The platforming is challenging, the music and story are great, but the game's humour is what sells it. It's much more light-hearted than I expected, but it was a welcome surprise. The indie market is rather oversaturated with retro styled platformers, but this one really stands out. I don't think it's a 10/10, but I'll give it one anyway.For the price, this game is unbelievably good. The platforming is challenging, the music and story are great, but the game's humour is what sells it. It's much more light-hearted than I expected, but it was a welcome surprise. The indie market is rather oversaturated with retro styled platformers, but this one really stands out. I don't think it's a 10/10, but I'll give it one anyway.

    The game's up there with Dead Cells and Shovel Knight. What else can I say?
    Expand
  20. Jun 9, 2021
    10
    ..........Nice Platformer..........
    ..........Awesome Metroidvania.........
  21. Dec 17, 2018
    9
    PROS:
    - exceptional controls and game mechanics;
    - humor;
    - shopkeeper;
    - storytelling;
    - propper nostalgia.

    CONS:
    - during an hour or so the backtrack seems pointless.

    It's really a masterpiece!
  22. Jul 7, 2020
    9
    i grew up playing this kind of games in the NES, the same feeling of difficulty as the classics, but with all the things that make great those games. nice humor, incredible music with that retro nostalgia. but the CONS are that after finishing the first part of the game, playing in the alternate world, seems a little bit repetitive or pointless. if only there were a lot of bosses more withi grew up playing this kind of games in the NES, the same feeling of difficulty as the classics, but with all the things that make great those games. nice humor, incredible music with that retro nostalgia. but the CONS are that after finishing the first part of the game, playing in the alternate world, seems a little bit repetitive or pointless. if only there were a lot of bosses more with higer difficulty, mayby impposible one, would habe had the 10. but in general it a great game to play on the weekend with a couple of beers Expand
  23. Feb 4, 2019
    9
    Great game! The gameplay is smooth and difficulty is well balanced. Graphics and music are sublime and the numerous bossfights are awesome. The story and writing are very clever and filled with meta jokes and wisdom.
  24. Dec 13, 2018
    9
    The Messenger é um jogo que, apesar de ser uma homenagem a grandes clássicos, deveria ser jogado por todos. Tem pouquíssimas falhas e todos seus aspectos são muito bons. Sua arte é lindíssima, sua trilha sonora é excepcional, seu level design é o melhor possível e seu gameplay é intuitivo e ótimo, mas não inova tanto quanto o desejado.
  25. Mar 23, 2020
    9
    Отличный платформер в духе 8 и 16 битных игр. При этом, конечно же, игра имеет гораздо больше механик, чем игры той эпохи. Выглядит отлично, причем и в режиме 8 и в режиме 16 бит (тут есть переходы от 8 к 16 битам, при этом все спрайты меняются, и во второй половине игры еще и локации частично меняются. Тут это сюжетно обосновано). Музыка очень хороша. Есть юмор, и он тоже отличный. ЕстьОтличный платформер в духе 8 и 16 битных игр. При этом, конечно же, игра имеет гораздо больше механик, чем игры той эпохи. Выглядит отлично, причем и в режиме 8 и в режиме 16 бит (тут есть переходы от 8 к 16 битам, при этом все спрайты меняются, и во второй половине игры еще и локации частично меняются. Тут это сюжетно обосновано). Музыка очень хороша. Есть юмор, и он тоже отличный. Есть сюжет и персонажи, за которыми интересно следить (хотя это платформер, и персонажи эти с сюжетом вообще не напрягают, они наоборот помогают отдохнуть от уровней). Боссы отличные, особенно фиолетовый голем магический, он просто прекрасен в плане боя с ним, ну и дизайна визуального. Единственный минус - некоторые боссы и некоторые места уровней ну очень сложные. Я понимаю, что раньше игры были сложными, и Гонец в этом плане проще их, но хотелось бы иметь возможность как-то себе упрощать прохождение. Итого, имеем игру, сделанную по мотивам классики игровой, с отличным визуалом, игровым процессом и музыкой. А еще ее в Эпик гейм стор раздавали бесплатно. Если кто не играл - крайне рекомендую, игра очень хороша Expand
  26. Feb 26, 2023
    9
    Pros.:
    - Great characters and dialogues.
    - Great idea of platformer then mutating into mild Metroidvania. - Weapons - not many but effective. - Mechanics mostly are intuitive. - So many Easter Eggs about previous franchises and games (Ninja Gaiden, Battletoads at least). - Friendly to achievement seekers. - Special secret areas. Cons.: - I hated that "hit" jump. Why didn't do
    Pros.:
    - Great characters and dialogues.
    - Great idea of platformer then mutating into mild Metroidvania.
    - Weapons - not many but effective.
    - Mechanics mostly are intuitive.
    - So many Easter Eggs about previous franchises and games (Ninja Gaiden, Battletoads at least).
    - Friendly to achievement seekers.
    - Special secret areas.

    Cons.:
    - I hated that "hit" jump. Why didn't do normal double jump? Because of that some seal areas are quite annoying.
    - Phantom and Muse - I found these names quite lame for the characters. But it's personal thing.

    The game is awesome. Buy and play :D
    Expand
  27. Dec 9, 2019
    9
    The game is excellent, almost perfect I would say. Very good soundtrack. Graphics that change from 8-bit to 16-bit a great balcony, the shopkeeper's stories are all great, especially the last one.
  28. Feb 12, 2021
    9
    The Messenger no geral não inova em praticamente nada, porém, ele realiza com maestria aquilo que se propõe: ser um jogo de plataforma de ninja bem humorado. Os controles são muito precisos, as mecânicas apresentadas apesar de não serem inovadores, são extremamente divertidas e funcionais, a dificuldade está no ponto certo, o level design é perfeito, a história e as conversas são escritasThe Messenger no geral não inova em praticamente nada, porém, ele realiza com maestria aquilo que se propõe: ser um jogo de plataforma de ninja bem humorado. Os controles são muito precisos, as mecânicas apresentadas apesar de não serem inovadores, são extremamente divertidas e funcionais, a dificuldade está no ponto certo, o level design é perfeito, a história e as conversas são escritas de forma genial e os gráficos e trilhas sonoras são genuinamente muito bons. Ainda por cima há uma DLC gratuita onde acrescenta um novo mapa, novos cenários, novos bosses, novas trilhas e uma ponta solta para continuação.

    Recomendo fortemente para quem curte um bom jogo de plataforma e metroidvania.
    Expand
  29. Jul 15, 2020
    9
    Hilarious dialogue, swanky soundtrack, game over all really fun to play too. The Shopkeeper is still an absolute chad. The free DLC was really good too, this game is so good.
  30. May 3, 2020
    9
    The Messenger is amazing and provides hours of fun! I only wish there were more games like it.
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. 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.
  3. Sep 13, 2018
    80
    Devolver Digital and Sabotage Studio propose a game that could innovate its genre.