Infernax

Infernax just feels good to play. The mechanics are solid, and the fundamentals are done properly. You don’t have a massive array of moves and attacks to choose from, but what you have in your toolbox works well for handling the enemies you’ll be facing. Exploring the countryside took me back to my younger years wandering the mysterious world of Simon’s Quest, especially with the day-night element in play here. Those who enjoy exploratory 2D platformers and aren’t afraid of taking on one with a little bite should definitely play Infernax as soon as possible.

As sure as the sun rises and sets (and wait until you see that in game), the Switch eShop will receive more and more titles hoping to cash in on NES-fueled nostalgia; don’t let that stop you from picking up the immensely satisfying throwback that is Infernax. Even though my mace and armor are dripping with demonic ichor, I’m still ready to charge back in.

I’m incredibly glad I got the opportunity to review Infernax. It’s another top notch title from Berzerk Studio, and it’s perfect for fans of platforming and old school challenge. Featuring multiple endings, tons of humor and epic bosses, it’s a game that should be on the radar of every hardcore gamer out there. If you’re a fan of platforming and love letters to games of the past, go buy this game. It’s that simple.

If you love NES games and can handle a LOT of gore (seriously, it's rated M for a reason), Infernax is an unforgettable nostalgic experience. [Issue #59 – May/June 2022, p. 20]

Infernax is a truly retro experience that takes the best elements of the past to create a fun time in the present. It’s tough but fair and a blast to play. Highly recommended for fans of action-adventure platformers like Castlevania.

Infernax is an action platformer that pays homage to '80s NES classics such as Zelda II and Castlevania II in its own satisfying way. It features a level-up system, lots of gore, and an interesting choice mechanic that adds up to a worthwhile adventure with plenty of replay value.

There's some very good old school gameplay in Infernax, something that doesn't want to just pander us with nostalgia, but to entertain and engage with challenges and simple yet well-thought game design.

From the moment you step onto these demon-infested lands to the moment you deal the killing blow to the game’s final boss, you’ll experience plenty of surprises – the Konami Code does something really cool, for example. Infernax’s retro soundtrack that rips from start to finish, beautiful art, challenging gameplay, and a fun Castlevania-inspired design, make it worth the price of admission.

Infernax is a fantastic throwback to 8-bit gaming, and while it may not be fully faithful to the era thanks to its color palette, number of sprites on screen, and unbroken English, it gets the rest right where it counts. The grim-dark story of Alcedor’s fight against the invading darkness is broken up with moments of humor, several of which pay direct tribute to Castlevania in ways that Alcedor will immediately regret. Not to mention entering the Konami cheat code on the title screen starting up a new save in straight-up Contra mode. The story also comes with several choices along the way, allowing you to have Alcedor try to walk the righteous path or turn evil, and sometimes the law of unintended consequences makes what seems like the right choice lead to the bad outcome. It’s a dark, violent, bloody world that feels great to smash your way through, and while it might take some repetition to clear the harder areas Infernax is always worth the payoff.

Infernax is a solid metroidvania that, even if it doesn’t try to do anything new or exciting, becomes a good option for those who enjoy the genre and a NES-like art style.

Even if it doesn't revolutionize the metroidvania formula, Infernax leaves a wonderful sensation. It doesn't invent nothing new, but the elements it adds (decisions, NPC missions, RPG touches...) makes it a little and joyful surprise among the myriad metroidvanias out there. And it makes full of humor and high replay value.

While Infernax is tough, it's resolutely fair — you can't really make the game 'easy', but you can absolutely mitigate the difficulty or take a break doing something else when you get stuck. Don't expect a simple ride, though, and don't expect to take the right decisions on a first playthrough - not that anything seems particularly 'right' in this beautifully bloody little world. It's only familiarity that lets Infernax down — there's nothing really new here, but it's all done and delivered so well that you won't really care unless you're desperate for a completely fresh experience. In which case why play a faux-retro NES throwback to begin with? A cut above most efforts in the subgenre, Infernax both demands and requires attention.