The Messenger

 Switch
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 234 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 200 out of 234
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 234
  3. Negative: 19 out of 234

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  1. draczyn
    Sep 9, 2023
    10
    This game is a real hidden gem. First i was not interested in it's style and gameplay but as soon as i started playing i got sucked in and couldn't put it down until the credits rolled. It's a masterpiece when it comes to visual style, soundtrack and addictive, hard but very rewarding gameplay. On top of that the writing is just great and full of awesome humor. For me its a must play evenThis game is a real hidden gem. First i was not interested in it's style and gameplay but as soon as i started playing i got sucked in and couldn't put it down until the credits rolled. It's a masterpiece when it comes to visual style, soundtrack and addictive, hard but very rewarding gameplay. On top of that the writing is just great and full of awesome humor. For me its a must play even if you are not a fan of a genre.… Expand
  2. krulemuk
    Sep 5, 2023
    10
    The Messenger is the best indi game I have played so far and easily the best game of 2018.
  3. DRAGONDRAKE
    Aug 29, 2023
    10
    Adorei jogo muito nostálgico e desafiador, melhor que muitos Tripo A, gostaria de uma sequência porque adorei esse jogo platinei nas 3 plataformas PS5 e Switch
  4. fanmadeendings
    Aug 14, 2023
    8
    A flawed great game. Emphasis on the flawed. The second half really isn't nearly as fun as the first, despite the gameplay twist being really clever in concept.
  5. FluffySpartan
    May 11, 2023
    9
    Really good game! Loved the shopkeeper, fun gameplay and nice Design. Can't wait for a second game.

    Also watch out for their new game sea of stars, demo was good.
  6. Ozzy-
    Oct 21, 2022
    9
    This is one of the most entertaining games I've ever played. The narrative is so well written, the shopkeeper is my favorite characters without a doubt, his stories are so good & his humour is very much on point. The overall tone of the game is brilliant. The gameplay is quite simple but very effective. The music is some of the best you'll encounter in a game. The game is mostly linear butThis is one of the most entertaining games I've ever played. The narrative is so well written, the shopkeeper is my favorite characters without a doubt, his stories are so good & his humour is very much on point. The overall tone of the game is brilliant. The gameplay is quite simple but very effective. The music is some of the best you'll encounter in a game. The game is mostly linear but half way through you're sent on a bit of goose chase, had it not been for that, I'd give this game a 10.… Expand
  7. Oddlennon
    Sep 14, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. My god, this is a great game!!!
    I absolutely loved the retro goodness.
    The only reason I gave this an 8 and not a 10….
    I absolutely despise the music note search at the end!!!
    I’ve been looking for hours and only found two. Quite frankly. I’m bored and giving up now.
    Other than that. Great game.    … Expand
  8. Alkimesto
    May 30, 2022
    9
    Really fun platformer in Ninja Gaiden style with metroidvania twist. Its have some stupidly hard segments but overall difficulty well balanced, and level design are good. Game is not cheap, but it takes like 16 hours to beat if you try to find all secrets
  9. pundy14
    May 26, 2022
    9
    One of my favourite games on Switch. Great platformer with some great humour and story telling thrown in. I found the DLC to be a bit meh, but the main game is incredible. Bit of a challenge at times, but balanced well with upgrades.
  10. nusco
    May 20, 2022
    8
    An 8-bit side scroller that takes a few twists and turns before turning into a mixed 8 and 16 bits metroidvania adventure. Yes, it's a weird game.

    CONS: RAW AROUND THE EDGES: From the core mechanics to the levels, some parts of The Messenger are way better than others. That handmade feel is charming in its own way, but it grows old as you keep playing. IT GETS WORSE AS IT GOES:    An 8-bit side scroller that takes a few twists and turns before turning into a mixed 8 and 16 bits metroidvania adventure. Yes, it's a weird game.

    CONS:

    RAW AROUND THE EDGES: From the core mechanics to the levels, some parts of The Messenger are way better than others. That handmade feel is charming in its own way, but it grows old as you keep playing.

    IT GETS WORSE AS IT GOES: The game starts very strong. After the main plot twist, however, it sets on a descending path of disappointing challenges, excessive backtracking, and disappointing bosses. Collecting all the power seals was a particular disappointment for me.

    WILD DIFFICULTY SWINGS: The difficulty is where the "amateur" origin of the game is at its most jarring. The game is never too hard–just quite frustrating at times. Some bosses (including the last ones) are pushovers, and some platforming challenges will leave you wondering what the whole point was. On the other hand, the unrefined mechanics turn some sequences into tedious button mashing marathons that are heavily dependent on sheer luck.

    PROS:

    A HEARTFELT GAME: Even at its rawest, The Messenger still gives you good vibes. It's clearly a labour of love from a small, dedicated team. I had to add one point to my rating just because of The Messenger's sincerity.

    VERY ADDICTIVE: I had a lot of fun with this game for a few hours. Even the last third of the game, that I criticised, couldn't drive me off. I simply couldn't stop playing until the end.

    IT WILL MAKE YOU SMILE: The continuous fourth wall breaking might be cliche, but it does elicit plenty of smiles. The writing is witty and lively, but the game never takes itself seriously–and that attitude makes you feel part of it.    … Expand
  11. SuperClaudio64
    Mar 27, 2022
    10
    Il miglior gioco che ho finito quest'anno. Buon umorismo, controlli fluidi, ottima musica e buone boss battle. The Messenger è uno dei migliori giochi indie che abbia mai giocato.
  12. ophone
    Jan 30, 2022
    9
    A great little gem this Messenger.
    It offers tight platforming and challenging boss battles, seasoned with the silly or even philosophical stories of the shopkeeper, an NPC who accompanies the messenger on his expedition. Ingenious how the double jump is implemented, you need to hit an enemy or a lantern before executing it, which makes the game more demanding. Another strength of this    A great little gem this Messenger.
    It offers tight platforming and challenging boss battles, seasoned with the silly or even philosophical stories of the shopkeeper, an NPC who accompanies the messenger on his expedition. Ingenious how the double jump is implemented, you need to hit an enemy or a lantern before executing it, which makes the game more demanding. Another strength of this title in the later half is the constant visual and aural change between an 8bit and a 16bit style, all served in marvellous pixel art and an engrossing soundtrack.

    It's only later I noticed this game also has an option to be played in Quebec French, a thing I never encountered before, even not in hockey games.
    Finally I wonder how will be the RPG the same developers are working on.    … Expand
  13. JoeyPL5
    Nov 16, 2021
    8
    The game is really fun and has an awesome soundtrack but I lost interest when it turned into a Metroidvania (and I love Metroidvanias).
  14. thryce3
    Oct 12, 2021
    10
    I heard nothing but praise for this game but held off for a really good sale. Finally bit the bullet and I couldn't be happier. One of the reasons I delayed was that I heard it was really hard. A lot of these 8bit throwback type games really try to hit that old-school difficulty. I just don't have the temperament or desire to play and replay punishingly difficult games anymore.I heard nothing but praise for this game but held off for a really good sale. Finally bit the bullet and I couldn't be happier. One of the reasons I delayed was that I heard it was really hard. A lot of these 8bit throwback type games really try to hit that old-school difficulty. I just don't have the temperament or desire to play and replay punishingly difficult games anymore. Thankfully, while it is challenging, it's not overwhelming and the checkpoints are fair. (i just finished the free DLC and it's brutal, but that's another issue). What I had no idea about was just how funny the game is. There's a lot of clever and often hilarious meta-humor.
    Great action and platforming in an entertaining retro package. I can't really think of any major flaws    … Expand
  15. Jojogonpa
    Apr 12, 2021
    10
    Un pure chef d'oeuvre ce jeu! a jouer absolument pour tout fan d'action plateformes style rétro. histoire bien écrites, très drôle, level design aux **** oignon, gameplay trop chanmé, bourée d'originalité, bref un excellent jeu.
  16. jikflet
    Sep 9, 2020
    9
    Amazing game. Beautiful pixel art. the first two hours of the game, I though it was just a fund platformer, but then the game opens into something huge and fantastic . one of the best indie platforms / metroidvanias I've seen.
  17. churros
    Jul 19, 2020
    8
    + one of the best pixel art i' ve seen
    + one of the best retro soundtracks i've heard
    + tight controls, fluid movement
    + balanced difficulty
    + transition between 8-bit and 16-bit keeps the stages fresh

    Cons:
    - backtracking is not always clear
    - story only makes sense at the end
  18. lucianobrantes
    Jul 8, 2020
    10
    Trilha sonora, jogabilidade, enredo... parece um jogo qualquer à primeira vista, mas é um jogo espetacular!!!
  19. Gavino
    Jul 4, 2020
    8
    This game is extremely entertained in all ways. At the forefront, of course, is the hilarious writing which deserves all the praise in the world. I was going through the adventure if only to see what new wacky dialogue the Shopkeeper would have in store for me next. Though in reality there was more keeping me engaged than the writing. The graphics and the sound are phenomenal, and the factThis game is extremely entertained in all ways. At the forefront, of course, is the hilarious writing which deserves all the praise in the world. I was going through the adventure if only to see what new wacky dialogue the Shopkeeper would have in store for me next. Though in reality there was more keeping me engaged than the writing. The graphics and the sound are phenomenal, and the fact they had to go through and make two different sets of the whole game is just breathtaking. If there's anywhere the game struggles even a tad it's the end, because it just feels like it ends without any of the problems really having time to be solved, and you don't get to know the final boss much in the first place.… Expand
  20. Gerdo
    Jun 30, 2020
    9
    Amazing game. Once you "think" it is done a whole new game opens up. The retro combinations are really fun. To have it 100% completed takes time but it is really rewarding. The free DLC is really fun as well.
  21. bhbdwdu
    Jun 10, 2020
    10
    I picked up this game and was immediately hooked.
    Everything about this game is amazing: Gameplay, Soundtrack (best soundtrack i've heard in a long time), Graphics (both of them), Game Mechanics.
    Time Travel, Cloud Stepping, Rope Dart, Wingsuit. Everything about this game makes you feel like a badass. The soundtrack is the best one i've heard in a LONG time, and the fact there are two    I picked up this game and was immediately hooked.
    Everything about this game is amazing: Gameplay, Soundtrack (best soundtrack i've heard in a long time), Graphics (both of them), Game Mechanics.
    Time Travel, Cloud Stepping, Rope Dart, Wingsuit. Everything about this game makes you feel like a badass.
    The soundtrack is the best one i've heard in a LONG time, and the fact there are two versions for each track (8-bit, 16-bit) makes it even better.
    The graphics are amazing. beatiful backgrounds, tilesets and character designs (also two versions for everything).
    And finally: the writing. The writing in this game is brilliant and funny, with each character having a full fleshed-out personality (the shopkeeper is my favorite character).
    This quickly became one of my all-time favorite games and is easily my best game of 2018.
    If you haven't played this game; play it. NOW.    … Expand
  22. Sunshadow87
    May 12, 2020
    9
    Uno de los mejores juegos retro de plataformas/acción con un toque de metroidvania.
    El juego comienza con un planteamiento lineal muy clásico a la vieja escuela, pero llegado a cierto punto, la historia y el gameplay da un giro completo, introduce nuevas mecánicas y abre el mundo completamente.
    El juego tiene un sentido de humor muy gamer, y el gameplay es extremadamente divertido.
  23. TheVirtualDude
    Mar 20, 2020
    10
    Recently completed the messenger based on recommendation and it was incredible. For me the difficulty was perfect. The change halfway through the game completely made the game. If it wasn’t for that I think it wouldn’t have been anywhere near as good as it was. Collecting shards was great and the system where they told you how many left in each level was perfect
  24. DartAnok
    Feb 4, 2020
    10
    One of the best platformer I ever played. On my Nintendo Switch this is one of the best game in my collection.
  25. Hypes11
    Jan 6, 2020
    9
    Great homage to old school 2D platformers without falling into the "me too" category. Very reminiscent of Shovel Knight in terms of how high quality it is done and polished but with a very different art style, gameplay, and personality. I actually found myself reading optional dialogue cuz it's so amusing. Art and Music are great though the main theme gets repetitive fast. There is someGreat homage to old school 2D platformers without falling into the "me too" category. Very reminiscent of Shovel Knight in terms of how high quality it is done and polished but with a very different art style, gameplay, and personality. I actually found myself reading optional dialogue cuz it's so amusing. Art and Music are great though the main theme gets repetitive fast. There is some backtracking though thanks to a twist mechanic it's not entirely rehashing old areas. Reexploring old areas with the Metroid style map isn't perfect as it's hard to tell where certain connecting points between areas meet and there aren't quick travel portals everywhere that would be convenient. Other small complaint is that there isn't much enemy variety and enemies take backseat to spikes and falling hazards.… Expand
  26. drlowdon
    Jan 3, 2020
    8
    The Messenger is an independently developed 2d action-platform title. The game opens with a village of ninjas being attacked by a Demon King, starring defeat in the face a legend known as the "Western Hero" appears. He hands a scroll to one of the surviving ninjas, appointing him as "The Messenger" and telling him to deliver it to the top of a mountain in order to save the last of mankind.The Messenger is an independently developed 2d action-platform title. The game opens with a village of ninjas being attacked by a Demon King, starring defeat in the face a legend known as the "Western Hero" appears. He hands a scroll to one of the surviving ninjas, appointing him as "The Messenger" and telling him to deliver it to the top of a mountain in order to save the last of mankind.

    These 2d indie platformers are ten and penny these days but The Messenger is a cut above the rest. There are a couple of difficulty spikes, but for the most part the learning curve is brilliantly managed (something that can’t always be said about this genre) with new actions and controls being steadily introduced throughout. The level design is excellent throughout, and thanks to the precise controls, offers a good challenge without ever becoming too frustrating. A neat little twist, which I won’t spoil, also helps to mix things up just as the game may have started to become repetitive meaning that at less than £10.00 this is an absolute bargain.    … Expand
  27. metachirrup
    Dec 24, 2019
    10
    Probably one of the best indie games every made. It takes a bit of time to build up its core mechanics, which might be boring for some initially, but when you think you know what the game is all about - BOOM another dimension. The story telling is also very funny and memorable. I wasn't a fan of the music initially as I was used to the complexity of the Shovel Knight OST but it's perfectProbably one of the best indie games every made. It takes a bit of time to build up its core mechanics, which might be boring for some initially, but when you think you know what the game is all about - BOOM another dimension. The story telling is also very funny and memorable. I wasn't a fan of the music initially as I was used to the complexity of the Shovel Knight OST but it's perfect match for the gameplay with some outstanding tracks.… Expand
  28. Kasukisan
    Nov 26, 2019
    10
    Probably one of the best games I've ever played.
    If you complete the game you will get it. Trust me.
  29. SkyrimSamurai
    Nov 21, 2019
    10
    Amazing game that brings back the fun that games gave you when it was excellent game design that made you keep playing and beating it again and again, like Super Mario Bros. and other indie games like Haunted Halloween 86. Just pure fun from start to finish.
  30. Punkydudester
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    Fantastic game, i absolutely love all of the references to tribute Ninja Gaiden. It's so well done. But the only thing I would change is adding more warp zone spots and if you change controls it Won't change the menu controls also like it does. Other than that i couldn't put it down once I started playing it.
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Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Best Switch Game of 2018
25
#25 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2018
25
#25 Most Shared Switch Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 42
  3. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. FNintendo
    Nov 26, 2018
    90
    The Messenger pays tribute to gaming classics in a fun, involving and memorable way that will get players to quickly enjoy the experience and get the most of its hilarious plot and marvelous audiovisual environment. This is all reinforced by its in-game transition from an 8 to a 16-bit environment, which might seem a bit confusing at first but will easily be seen as an integral part of the game.
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  2. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Oct 29, 2018
    75
    There's a lot to love and appreciate, but the sum fell short of greatness for me. [Issue #36 – November/December 2018, p. 18]
  3. Gaming Nexus
    Oct 23, 2018
    90
    Packed with clever story surprises and dynamic, richly-constructed gameplay, The Messenger is both a tribute to and affectionate pastiche of 8 and 16-bit game design, storytelling and nostalgia. It belongs in every Switch owner’s eShop library.
    Read full review
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