Astalon: Tears of the Earth

 Switch
User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 18
  3. Negative: 6 out of 18

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  1. 86Mayo
    Mar 10, 2023
    9
    Astalon, Astalon, ASTALON!!!!!!! Wow! What a great game! My current top dog for 2023. Gonna be hard to beat. This is a retro style Metroidvania with influences from something like Lost Vikings. Your allies have different abilities and you need to use them properly to progress. There’s secrets everywhere and cool items. There’s upgrades and puzzles. Gameplay was smooth as silk except aAstalon, Astalon, ASTALON!!!!!!! Wow! What a great game! My current top dog for 2023. Gonna be hard to beat. This is a retro style Metroidvania with influences from something like Lost Vikings. Your allies have different abilities and you need to use them properly to progress. There’s secrets everywhere and cool items. There’s upgrades and puzzles. Gameplay was smooth as silk except a couple frame rate bugs but whatever. It was awesome from the very start and kept getting better. It’s not often where I NEED to 100% a game. So fantastic!! Everything I want. I’ll never sell this copy. PLAY THIS GAME!!! … Expand
  2. NindieSpotlight
    Dec 17, 2021
    9
    I tend to have a love/hate relationship with retro throwback games of various kinds. Sure, I have fond memories of the 8-bit and 16-bit eras but I’d be a fool to claim that many of those titles couldn’t be improved upon when viewed through a modern lens and with current hardware. That said, when a developer manages to nail the “feel” of those games of the past without falling into all ofI tend to have a love/hate relationship with retro throwback games of various kinds. Sure, I have fond memories of the 8-bit and 16-bit eras but I’d be a fool to claim that many of those titles couldn’t be improved upon when viewed through a modern lens and with current hardware. That said, when a developer manages to nail the “feel” of those games of the past without falling into all of the pitfalls true games from that era tend to have, it can be something pretty special. Managing your party of three heroes, each possessing their own style of attack, stats, and special abilities, you’ll explore some pretty large areas consisting of a variety of rooms connected in various ways. What’s also great is that every time you perish (which will happen, possibly a lot) you’ll be able to spend gems you collect in each run that you can then use to upgrade your characters or enable special abilities with. When you mix this all together the result is a retro title with both an authentic and modern feel in parallel, and a pretty great experience for people who appreciate a well-made throwback experience.

    https://www.nindiespotlight.com/2021/06/mini-reviews-june-3rd-edition-nintendo.html    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best Switch Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Mar 7, 2022
    85
    Astalon's quality is undeniable. Its character animation, puzzles and power-up progression are all top- notch, and the copious extras (like a mode where you play as one of the campaign's reoccurring bosses), all show that this was a labor of love. [Issue #57 – January/February 2022, p. 18]
  2. Starbit
    Oct 4, 2021
    80
    Astalon: Tears of the Earth is a Metroidvania that while simple-looking, brings a surprising amount of variety as far level and enemy design are concerned. With three protagonists on the player's side, we'll have to choose who to bring with us when crossing a tower based on the obstacles of each section. Overall this is an experience that gives us quite a few hours of fun and challenge.
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  3. Cubed3
    Sep 13, 2021
    90
    Astalon: Tears of the Earth is a very, very simple mix of metroidvania-like exploration, and rogue-lite challenge, but a simple mix that works wonders. You'll die a lot, but you'll keep on returning just to get a little further on the journey towards the top of this treacherous spire, and learn of its secrets, with your skill and perseverance being your main tools. Don't miss out on this modern-yet-retro indie gem.
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