Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Jul 5, 2021
    If you're looking for something that improves or builds upon the astonishing work of Moon Studios or Team Cherry, you're unlikely to find it here. That said? Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights is a surprising and compelling adventure that's been crafted with care and oodles of charm. Yes, it requires patience. Yes, it requires a natural curiosity, and a willingness to overlook its occasionally clumsy control scheme. But I spent many a night wandering around Land's End, staying up way later than I'd anticipated, keen to unravel more of the story and expand Lily's impressive skillset. If you enjoy Metroidvanias and have been looking for a new challenge that's not too punishing, I suspect you might, too.
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 69
  2. Negative: 8 out of 69
  1. Jun 28, 2021
    10
    This game isn't a revolution in its gameplay style but it masters the metroidvania style perfectly, and mastering such a genre isn't an easyThis game isn't a revolution in its gameplay style but it masters the metroidvania style perfectly, and mastering such a genre isn't an easy task. The combat system itself is fluid and flexible, and let's not speak about the art and music, both are gorgeous and incredibly addictive. I wasn't expecting a game of this size when I started playing, and feared it would be short. Well I was wrong. This is exactly the kind of game I adore, the story is deeper than it seems at first and gets quite emotional, the secrets are well hidden, the difficulty is well balanced and the quality of life is amazing.
    This game reminds me a lot of Salt And Sanctuary which is, to me, one of the references of the genre.
    Full Review »
  2. Jul 9, 2021
    5
    I really want to like this game- it's slick and stylish and feels great to play -but after beating the game and seeing the true ending, I findI really want to like this game- it's slick and stylish and feels great to play -but after beating the game and seeing the true ending, I find I'm just left feeling angry and unsatisfied. It was such a frustrating, cheesy experience from start to finish. The difficulty borders on abusive at times, not because it's impossible- it's obviously not, I did everything eventually -but because it's just so stupidly implemented.

    I mean, there's a boss that literally does nothing but run away from you and summon endless minions. Beating that boss didn't make me feel like I was clever or skilled, it made me feel like I had cheesed my way past a game-breaking design error. I felt stupider for having overcome it.

    That was the worst offender, but after the first couple of major fights, they're all like that to varying degrees. The final boss is the most deeply lackluster of them all- it literally does nothing at all unless you move near its claws, except cough up an endless stream of very tanky flying minions that can two-shot you. The fight is literally just a matter of trying to kill the minions faster than they can spawn while dealing incidental damage to the boss when possible. I felt no relief or triumph upon beating it- just this kind of disbelief that that's really how the game ends.

    This game wants to be Dark Souls- aesthetically and philosophically -and totally gets it wrong. If it respected my time and got out of its own way, I think I would really have enjoyed it. The exploration elements are so good! The music is great! The art is lovely (even if it is way too Dark Souls adjacent)! But the miserable, miserable slog that the game forces you to deal with to experience all this outweighs all the good. I can't recommend this game.
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  3. Jul 22, 2021
    3
    There are certainly strong moments in this game, but the core mechanics are poorly implemented.

    Music is beautiful, but loops after 30
    There are certainly strong moments in this game, but the core mechanics are poorly implemented.

    Music is beautiful, but loops after 30 seconds (or quicker) to become boring.
    Fighting mechanics are unpolished, 3/4 of the 'spirit' abilities are useless, leveling is inbalanced.
    Difficulty is artificially bloated (enemy damage + RNG) and poorly scaled throughout the game.
    World design is very linear with few secrets, boring backtracking and a terrible fasttravel system.

    Several hours in, you can't help but wonder if the frustration and boredom are worth the slog to the finishline.
    Full Review »