Astalon: Tears of the Earth

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
tbd

No score yet - based on 2 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Video Chums
    Jun 15, 2021
    80
    Astalon: Tears Of The Earth feels like a long-lost NES game that gamers would still be playing 3 decades after its initial release.
  2. PlayStation Country
    Jun 4, 2021
    80
    Astalon: Tears of the Earth is a hidden indie gem that combines Metroidvania-esque exploration with solid roguelike mechanics to create a game that is addictive, enjoyable and very compelling if you can get past the NES-style presentation.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 4 out of 11
  1. jackalish
    Jun 15, 2022
    10
    I play a lot of Metroidvanias. I seem to be addicted to them. This is one that came out of nowhere for me. I really loved it. Maybe it'sI play a lot of Metroidvanias. I seem to be addicted to them. This is one that came out of nowhere for me. I really loved it. Maybe it's because I'm middle-aged now and fondly remember the NES and SNES years, but this game feels like it deserves a great deal more praise than it's been getting.

    The game is obviously a love letter to the NES days of old. Some great 8-bit soundtracks. The pixel art/graphics have lots of detail no matter where you go. The controls, thank god, are not from the NES era however; they're very purposeful. Each character you play has its own set of skills and I found myself playing each one at different times throughout the game, not because I had but because I liked their play style for different parts. (You also have to play as the different characters for different puzzles and progression.) The puzzles are fun and exploration is very rewarding. The difficulty is moderate but not rage-inducing. I got lost once. At this point, if you don't get lost at least once, can you really call it a Metroidvania?

    The story is not groundbreaking but it is memorable. The characters are fun and you always want to find out more about them. I loved the reference to Willow.
    Once you beat it you can do so again with two other characters you encountered in your first play-through.

    This game mixes the retro feel of the NES with a more modern game-play, music, and map layout, and does so with gusto.      … Full Review »
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