SuperEpic: The Entertainment War

Full of wit, great gameplay and memorable moments, SuperEpic is simply one of 2019's best indie games.

A critique of micro purchases has never been as fun as in SuperEpic: The Entertainment War, where we will have to play in a satirical Metroidvania-style game fighting the fascist pigs that control the world.

To succeed as a Metroidvania, a game has to set itself apart from the rest. SuperEpic’s second-screen mini-game approach is not only an innovative concept, it helps underline the satirical conceit the game’s story lays out. Even with its shallow combo-based combat system, there’s plenty here for fans of the genre to enjoy.

SuperEpic's satirical style might not be for everyone, but if you are OK with that aspect then this is an excellent addition to the ever growing Metroidvania genre. Graphics, soundtrack, and gameplay fit together beautifully, making SuperEpic difficult to put down.

Going into it, players might find the humour in SuperEpic a tad too cutting for their taste, but once a few floors have gone by, the laughs start to seep through in almost every aspect, including the way that Regnantcorp employees seem to constantly sleep at their desks and do no work. The tone of the game breaks up how grueling some of the combat can be when faced with a long corridor full of enemies that are incredibly annoying to fight, making for a much more well-balanced experience that feels more than at home on the Nintendo Switch. While it makes a point of poking fun at the state of the games industry, SuperEpic is also a lot of fun to play.

SuperEpic is a good game that shines because of its tongue-in-cheek narrative. Gameplay-wise, it has some solid aspects and some flaws, but overall it’s a title we’ve had fun with.

Even if SuperEpic isn’t the most coherent game, the whole package still works well. With so many different challenges, puzzles and secrets to discover, it’s a worthy evolution of the Metroidvania formula. Using your smartphone is a clever addition, provided you want to use it, while the exploration and combat feels fluid and responsive to where you’re itching to see what awaits you in the next room.

SuperEpic has nowhere to go after it comes screaming out of the gate. Its engaging initial gameplay never really evolves past button-mashing. Decent sprite work is derailed by environments that are so bland as to defy recollection. Its own commentary on the bereftness of mobile games ends up being a commentary on itself, and leaves you a lonely, wandering shell, questioning your gaming habits, your existence...everything.