Info about Zapling Bygone:

Official game description:
**Play as an alien hive-mind who murders bosses, steals their abilities and wears their skulls.**  
Zapling Bygone is a twisted metroidvania where you murder your foes and steal their abilities by wearing their skulls.  
Every ability is gained by killing a boss and stealing their skull. These abilities allow you to transverse the world in new and exciting ways as well as help you destroy your opponents.  
*   **Killing the Ratking** allows you to wear his skull and use his ability to climb on walls.  
*   **Killing an ancient manufacturing robot** allows you throw his claw-head and use it to swing around the world.  
*   **Killing The Protector** allows you to use his power core to fire devastating laser beams.
Make every inch of the alien planet your playground as you learn its secrets and use them to your advantage. Take advantage of Zaplings sticky tentacles to fluidly jump and climb around the world.  
Find game-changing mutations that modify and enhance your abilities, collect skull fragments that shine light on long dead civilizations. Trade plasma for ancient keys, forgotten secrets and weird paintings.  
Explore a vast, dangerous and interconnected world with only you and your skulls as company. Reveal each biome in the world by collecting the skulls of people who lived in them.  
Explore and conquer 6 biomes, each with their own enemies, bosses and backstory.  
This includes:  
*   **Ratqueen Gardens**, an old mine that has been overgrown with monstrous plants and angry rats that are rampaging due to their kings untimely death.  
*   **Grimtown,** an empty shell of a fallen civilization occupied by people who have lost everything to a creeping virus that causes everlasting suffering.  
*   **Mountain Path**, a snowy inhabitable mountain littered with ancient technology built to protect the planet from alien invasion.
When wearing the skulls of your foes you will gain access to their memories and unlock comic strip panels representing major events in their lives. The skulls will even talk to you throughout your adventure.  
**Piece together the history of the planet, one comic panel at a time.**  
Learn how The Ratking gained his consciousness. How an ancient civilisation destroyed itself in search of a fake god. Figure out the repercussions of an alien virus that causes enteral life, and enternal suffering.  
Piece together the events that occurred in a post-apocalyptic alien planet, and use its secrets to fight a fragment of your own hive.

Release date: Aug 5, 2022

Categories: Metroidvania, Platformer, Pixel Art Style, Boss Fights, Exploration, Ability Gating, Skill-Based Mastery


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $8.00 - $12.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently criticize the game's price relative to its short length (under 10 hours) and the abundance of longer metroidvanias at similar or lower prices. Multiple reviewers explicitly recommend waiting for a sale, and one states they could only recommend it on sale, implying $16 is too high. While a few positive comments exist about boss fights or not minding full price, the dominant sentiment is that the current $15.99 base price is overpriced. This suggests a fair base-game price range of roughly $8 to $12, aligning with typical sale discounts and the perceived value for a short experience.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 9.0h
  - Story completion: 6.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: 1.9h
  - Reasoning: The main story is reported as short, with one review calling it a 4-5 hour game and another explicitly estimating about 6 hours for the main route with some detours; this supports a storyCompletion value near 6 hours. Full completion is reported around 8-10 hours, including a clear 9-hour 100% collectible run, supporting a gameCompletion value near 9 hours. The only clear endgame-specific figure is a post-game cleanup of remaining collectibles lasting 111 minutes, or 1.85 hours. No reliable typical single-session length is provided, so sessionLength is left null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Player reports describe an unrewarding early loop of rats and plants, and some report no truly fun moments at all; positive notes about upgrades and the grappling hook lack timing and do not establish a clear point where enjoyment begins.
  - Stance: Never clicks
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: First hour limited to simple, unrewarding enemies such as rats and plants; Early gameplay described as boring for the first 10 minutes; No exciting or intuitive feedback after discovering the first boss; Unclear exploration and progression; tedious to figure out where to go; Optional upgrades often not worth their slots
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: Tolerance for a first hour of simple, unrewarding enemies; Tolerance for non-linear exploration and wandering; Preference for item-based over skill-based progression; Expectation of intuitive and exciting early feedback; Tolerance for generally easy difficulty, as hard progression aspects were nerfed
- Player Archetypes:
  - Metroidvania Genre Devotee (buy)
    - Motivation: To experience a new skill-based, challenging Metroidvania that rewards exploration and combat mastery in the tradition of genre classics.
    - Playstyle: Non-linear exploration, seeking tough skill-based combat and boss-pattern learning, comparing structure to Metroid and Castlevania classics.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: huge fan of the genre; skill-based metroidvania fan
    - Reference games: Metroid; Castlevania
  - First-Time Genre Newcomer (buy)
    - Motivation: To get an easy, welcoming introduction to Metroidvania games with simple controls and approachable design.
    - Playstyle: Casual, guided exploration with straightforward combat, enjoying accessible mechanics and pixel art without seeking hardcore challenge.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: first Metroidvania; beginner
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Value-Conscious Skeptic (deep sale)
    - Motivation: To get enough content and polish to justify the price, weighing short runtime and rough edges against cost.
    - Playstyle: Completion-style playthrough focused on content length and value, skeptical of replay and extra modes.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Indie Solo-Dev Supporter (buy)
    - Motivation: To support and celebrate the accomplishment of a solo independent developer taking creative risks.
    - Playstyle: Forgiving exploration that appreciates creative mechanics and accepts rough edges as part of a solo project.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Excellent Metroidvania Experience (weight 0.39): Players consistently praise the game as a cool, simple, and highly enjoyable Metroidvania that is a hidden gem. It is short yet satisfying, with excellent execution and pure Metroidvania elements.
- Pleasant Soundtrack and Music (weight 0.27): The soundtrack and music receive positive remarks, described as okay, amazing, neat, great, and insanely good. Music enhances the overall experience.
- Responsive and Tight Controls (weight 0.21): The controls are frequently described as good, nice, tight, and responsive. Many reviewers find them intuitive and enjoyable.
- Great Pixel Art Graphics (weight 0.18): The pixel art graphics are widely praised as great, quite nice, awesome, and very good. The visual style is a standout feature.
- Satisfying Movement Mechanics (weight 0.18): Movement is frequently described as very satisfying and enjoyable, with tight and responsive controls from the beginning. The first movement ability unlocks early and makes movement a joy.
- Fun Gameplay and Exploration (weight 0.18): Gameplay and exploration are consistently fun, with tight and precise mechanics. The core gameplay loop is engaging.
- Overall Positive Player Experience (weight 0.17): Many reviewers express having a good time and a pleasant, fun experience. They love the game and are definitely enjoying it.
- Beginner-Friendly Difficulty (weight 0.17): The game is perfect for beginners in the genre and easy to understand. The difficulty is suitable and feels right for newcomers.
- Cool Concept and Premise (weight 0.17): The game's idea and concept are praised as cool and good. The premise and world are considered neat and interesting.
- Cute and Charming Game (weight 0.17): The game is often described as cute and full of charm and character. Its adorable style resonates with players.
- Satisfying Combat Feel (weight 0.14): Combat is often described as feeling really good, dynamic, responsive, and satisfying. The combat mechanics are enjoyable.
- Fun and Enjoyable Platforming (weight 0.1): Platforming feels great and is often described as really fun. The platformer elements are well-executed and enjoyable.
- Hidden Gem and Extremely Fun (weight 0.1): The game is described as an incredibly fun, true diamond in the rough. It exceeds expectations and provides an extremely fun experience.
- Charm System Enhances Gameplay (weight 0.1): The charm system is liked and adds to the player's arsenal, providing additional depth to the gameplay.
- Collectibles Add Interest (weight 0.1): Collectibles such as pictures, memories, and comics are mentioned, with collectible comics being a specific highlight. They add to the game's appeal.
- Serviceable but Basic Gameplay (weight 0.09): Some players find the gameplay acceptable and basic but serviceable. It meets expectations without standing out.

Common complaints:
- Map causes navigation frustration (weight 0.79): Multiple clusters describe the map as unhelpful: it doesn't distinguish visited from unvisited areas, lacks markers for collectibles, and gives poor direction, forcing tedious backtracking. Reviewers frequently mention aimless wandering, lack of completion tracking, and being unable to mark their own points of interest.
- Technical bugs and crashes (weight 0.68): Numerous reports of crashes, softlocks, game-breaking bugs, and glitches requiring restarts, including issues with collection completion, D-Pad unresponsiveness, and frequent crashes becoming worse over time. Some bugs remain unpatched despite being reported years ago.
- Combat is weak and unsatisfactory (weight 0.66): Combat is described as dull, weak, and poorly designed, with issues like enemies having more range than the player, bouncing projectiles, contact damage causing double hits, and boss fights that are either trivial or overly punishing. Many feel the melee focus and lack of options make combat unengaging.
- Skull and mutation system underdeveloped (weight 0.58): Skulls are criticized for feeling cosmetic and samey, with slot limitations making most not worth using and almost no impact on gameplay beyond mutation slots. Mutations similarly feel bland, restricted, and often have drawbacks that outweigh their benefits.
- Difficulty is unbalanced (weight 0.51): The difficulty is criticized for being either too easy or too hard for the wrong reasons, with precision platforming, punishing combat, and bosses that are either simple or unfairly challenging. Some updates nerfed challenging aspects excessively.
- Short length and poor value (weight 0.44): Many reviewers find the game too short for its price, with a small map and limited content, making it hard to recommend at full price. Comparisons to cheaper or more content-rich metroidvanias are common.
- Poor guidance and directionless design (weight 0.42): The game often fails to guide players on where to go next, leading to confusion and aimless wandering, especially in the late game. Obscure objectives, lack of hints, and poor communication of locked areas contribute to this issue.
- Story and dialogue are weak (weight 0.42): The narrative is often unclear, forgettable, or clumsy, with poor character development and obscure lore. Dialogue feels off and lacks strong supporting characters.
- Lack of polish and jank (weight 0.41): The game is described as rough around the edges, with janky controls, awkward design, and a general lack of polish compared to genre standouts like Hollow Knight. Solo development limitations are acknowledged.
- Art style and visuals criticized (weight 0.32): Visual elements like character portraits, cutscenes, and pixel art are considered bland, clashing, or unappealing. Hand-drawn elements clash with pixel art, and some paintings may be AI-generated.
- Audio and sound design problems (weight 0.28): Sound effects are often missing, poorly implemented, or jarring, such as loud noises requiring volume adjustments, static loops, and silent lasers. Music default volume is also bizarrely low.
- Controls are unresponsive or floaty (weight 0.28): Controls are often described as poor, rigid, or unresponsive, with issues like floaty jumping, dash not registering jump inputs, and lack of remapping options. This makes precision platforming frustrating.
- Backtracking is tedious and unfriendly (weight 0.27): Few teleport points, distant checkpoints, and lack of fast travel between save stations make backtracking a chore, with players repeatedly traversing long routes after death and struggling to find missing items.
- Unclear progression and mechanics (weight 0.27): Abilities and mechanics like healing are poorly explained, with important functions discovered late or not at all. The notch system restricts experimentation, and skull hierarchy prevents differentiation.
- Exploration is unrewarding (weight 0.22): Exploring yields mostly lore bits and collectibles that don't impact gameplay, with few hidden rooms, secret bosses, or meaningful upgrades, making the world feel small and unrewarding.
- Permanent upgrades are lacking (weight 0.21): Players note the absence of permanent character upgrades such as increased HP or damage, with progression limited to traversal abilities and minor upgrades. This makes the player feel squishy and unable to accumulate strength.
- Enemies and traps blend in (weight 0.19): Many enemies and environmental hazards visually blend into the dark background, making them hard to see and react to, leading to unfair damage or deaths.
- Hitbox and collision issues (weight 0.17): Incorrect hitboxes and contact damage problems are reported, making combat feel unfair and leading to easy double hits. This adds to the overall frustration with the game's mechanics.
- Save points cost money (weight 0.13): A significant annoyance is that save points and fast travel locations must be purchased, adding an unnecessary economic burden and requiring currency grinding.
- Performance and frame drops (weight 0.13): Some players experience frame drops, lag, and technical performance issues, including strange lag in certain areas and a small lag on first boot-up.

Gameplay feedback:
- Skull system for abilities (weight 0.52): Players equip skulls that provide unique abilities, cosmetic looks, and upgrade slots. Skulls can be customized with charms, add-ons, and skill pieces, and are obtained from bosses or found in the world.
- Challenging boss fights (weight 0.49): Boss battles are a central focus, featuring telegraphed attacks, varied patterns, and high difficulty. Many bosses grant new abilities or skulls upon defeat, making them key progression milestones.
- Metroidvania with ability gating (weight 0.3): The game features a Metroidvania structure with non-linear exploration and ability gating, requiring players to revisit areas with new abilities. Multiple interconnected areas encourage backtracking and discovery.
- Exploration-focused open world (weight 0.26): The game emphasizes open exploration in a non-linear world, with optional precision platforming challenges that reward thorough exploration. The environment is designed for players to discover secrets and upgrades.
- Movement abilities for traversal (weight 0.17): Players gain abilities such as double jump, dash, wall climbing, and ceiling climbing to navigate the world. These abilities are often acquired by defeating bosses.
- Short and compact experience (weight 0.12): Described as a short or compact Metroidvania, the game offers a focused experience that doesn't overstay its welcome. It appeals to players looking for a concise adventure.
- Hollow Knight charm inspiration (weight 0.1): A charm-like system allows players to unlock and equip sub-abilities using specific shapes, similar to Hollow Knight's charm system. These charms can be equipped onto skulls to modify abilities.
- Melee-focused combat (weight 0.1): Combat primarily revolves around melee attacks, with a variety of enemies and bosses that require skillful timing. The melee system is the core of player engagement.
- Skill-based progression system (weight 0.09): Progression is tied to player skill rather than item collection, with abilities that persist regardless of equipped skull. This design encourages mastery of game mechanics.
- Collectible comic panels for lore (weight 0.08): Players can find collectible comic panels that provide backstory and world-building. These collectibles add depth to the game's narrative.

Performance notes:
- Lag on first boot (weight 0.09): Some players notice a small lag when first booting up the game. However, others report a 30-second stutter on initial load, indicating inconsistent first-time performance.
- Frame drops while moving (weight 0.06): Players experience frame drops when moving, which can disrupt gameplay flow. This is a common performance issue that affects smooth movement.
- Abnormally slow walking speed (weight 0.06): A bug causes the walking speed to be weirdly slow, hindering player movement. This can make traversal feel tedious.
- Camera shake during attacks (weight 0.06): The camera shakes during attacks, which some players find disorienting or uncomfortable. This may detract from combat precision.
- Strange lag in areas (weight 0.06): Players encounter strange lag in certain areas of the game, which can break immersion. The specific triggers are unclear but noticeable.
- Buggy tile visuals (weight 0.06): Tiles often appear buggy, with visual glitches that affect the game's appearance. This may be a rendering issue that needs attention.
- Flawless after initial load (weight 0.05): Some players report that the game runs flawlessly after the initial load period. This suggests that performance issues may be temporary for some users.

Recommendations:
- Metroidvania fans will enjoy (weight 0.38): Players who like the metroidvania genre generally have a good time despite some flaws. The game appeals to fans of exploration and challenging bosses.
- Sale price strongly advised (weight 0.36): Many reviewers recommend waiting for a discount rather than paying full price. The game offers better value when purchased on sale.
- Not recommended due to flaws (weight 0.22): Several reviewers cite numerous shortcomings, lack of polish, and missing content. These issues outweigh the positives for them.
- Worth trying despite reservations (weight 0.18): Some reviewers suggest giving the game a chance, even if they have mixed feelings. It can be enjoyable if you have the time.
- Good but not outstanding (weight 0.13): Some reviewers find the game enjoyable but not particularly memorable. It is seen as average or meh.
- Positive but not strong recommendation (weight 0.12): Reviewers give a thumbs up but with some hesitation. It is recommended but with caveats.
- Genre novices find it accessible (weight 0.1): Beginners to the genre appreciate the game's approachability. It serves as a good entry point for those new to metroidvanias.
- Short length hinders recommendation (weight 0.09): Some reviewers find the game too short to recommend fully. Its brevity affects the overall value proposition.
- Challenging for less experienced players (weight 0.09): The game can be difficult for those new to metroidvanias. It may still challenge players even if they are experienced in other genres.
- Controller recommended for best results (weight 0.05): Using a controller improves the gameplay experience. Keyboard controls may be less optimal.
- Recommended for speedrunning enthusiasts (weight 0.05): Players who enjoy speedrunning may get more out of the game. It offers additional enjoyment for that playstyle.

Other player notes:
- Short Metroidvania length (weight 0.49): Many reviewers note the game is relatively short for the genre, with playtimes ranging from about 3 to 10 hours depending on completion. First playthroughs often clear in an afternoon, with 100% taking somewhat longer.
- Heavily compared to Hollow Knight (weight 0.44): Reviewers frequently compare the game to Hollow Knight, especially its charm and healing systems, calling it derivative or 'Hollow Knight at home.' The notch system is seen as restrictive compared to Hollow Knight's more experimental charm system.
- Compared to other Metroidvanias (weight 0.39): Reviewers compare the game to various titles including Carrion, Ender Lilies, Blasphemous, Sheepo, and Mysteries Under Lake Ophelia. It is often placed in the same space as other short indie Metroidvanias.
- Made by solo developer (weight 0.33): Multiple reviewers mention the game was developed by a solo developer. One clarification notes it was made by three people, and the developer is seen as early in their career and caring about their work.
- Map and progression issues (weight 0.2): Some reviewers find the map unfriendly or small, with fixed rather than open-ended design. Upgrades must be obtained in a certain order to progress, and there are reports of players getting stuck in the same area.
- Unique art and atmosphere (weight 0.2): The game features a unique art style with insane detail, a Lovecraftian vibe with sci-fi concepts, and an interconnected world with distinct zones. Pixel art and music remind some of Super Metroid.
- Collectibles and optional content (weight 0.17): Optional collectible comic book frames provide lore and paintings act as collectibles that can be bought. Plenty of secrets to find, mostly for memories and art.
- Positive overall but short and simple (weight 0.17): Many find it a solid short indie game that focuses on quality over quantity. Some give scores like 5/10 or place it in C- tier on a personal Metroidvania tier list.
- Bugs and technical issues (weight 0.16): Bugs are minimal and not game-breaking, though one reviewer notes it took nearly 4 months to fix a bug that almost made it impossible to finish. The game released fully playable and improved with updates.
- Obtained through bundles or donations (weight 0.15): Several reviewers received the game via bundles such as Humble Bundle or the 2023 Yogscast Jingle Jam collection, or got it on sale.
- Miscellaneous minor observations (weight 0.15): Other minor points include a 100% achievement, reference to another platformer, mouse and keyboard strongly advised for some games, demo exists and finished product is better, and game only available in English.
- Achievement completion requires second playthrough (weight 0.13): A no-death achievement forces a second playthrough for all achievements. The no-death mode ends the game and locks the save file on death, requiring deletion and a new game.
- Poor launch visibility and marketing (weight 0.13): The game has barely any reviews or recognition, possibly due to poor marketing. Few launch reviews and no Chinese localization, with a reviewer creating translation guides.
- Kickstarter-funded project (weight 0.12): The game was funded on Kickstarter, and the developer turned down a large sum of money for a publishing deal to remain independent.
- Dark themes and story delivery (weight 0.12): The game deals with dark themes, with story told through collectible comics in EC horror style. A spoiler section involves a chase from corruption affecting your hivemind to your mother ship.
- Community and developer engagement (weight 0.12): Community support is available, and the developer is responsive. The game was followed through screenshots, videos, and bug reports for over a year, and one reviewer bought it to support the developer.
- Played on Steam Deck and PS4 controller (weight 0.09): Some reviewers played on Steam Deck, and one notes the game can be played with a PS4 controller. The Map button can be accessed through the PlayStation button.
- Music and audio (weight 0.09): The soundtrack has tracks like 'Vanco' and 'Protector' available on Spotify. Music contributed to the atmosphere, reminding some of Super Metroid.
- Ending presentation criticized (weight 0.05): The ending is presented as a black screen with text, without epic music or incredible animations. Some found it underwhelming.
- AI-generated paintings controversy (weight 0.05): The game contains AI-generated paintings to collect, which was noted by a reviewer.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.24): Players are frustrated by poor controls, bad hitboxes, and unresponsive mechanics that make combat and platforming feel unfair. Frequent crashes, game-breaking bugs, and softlocks prevent progression, while map issues like lack of markers, confusing full reveals, and distant checkpoints cause aimless wandering and repetitive backtracking. Harsh death penalties, instant-death spikes, and overly punishing combat with low health and few upgrades further compound the irritation.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.19): Players enjoy the unique abilities, charm system, and engaging Metroidvania exploration with solid platforming and challenging bosses. The game offers a fun experience with good story, atmosphere, and tight controls, making it consistently enjoyable for fans of the genre. Progression feels rewarding as mechanics and scenarios improve over time.
- Disappointment (weight 0.18): Disappointment stems from a lack of polish, short length, and shallow combat that fails to meet expectations for a Metroidvania. Many find the game derivative, with underdeveloped systems, weak bosses, and technical issues like crashes and bugs that hurt the overall experience. Unfulfilled potential in customization and story leaves players feeling let down.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Satisfaction comes from overcoming challenging but fair bosses and experiencing fluid, responsive movement. The intuitive controls and well-designed combat create a rewarding sense of accomplishment, especially after many attempts. Collecting achievements and beating optional tough bosses adds to the fulfilling experience.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Players find the gameplay repetitive and unexciting, with bland pixel art and a lack of innovative features. The game fails to engage, leading some to put it down before finishing due to its unimpressive and lukewarm nature.
- Love (weight 0.03): Players express love for the game's excellent Metroidvania traversal, impactful lore, and unique health system. Despite flaws, the overall experience resonates strongly, with the music, skills, and short but sweet design earning affection.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Excitement is driven by smooth and responsive movement, fun boss fights, and an excellent grappling hook that makes exploration thrilling. The wild story and tight gameplay keep players eager to discover all the game has to offer.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Confusion arises from an unclear story and mask system that leaves players feeling lost. The map reveals unexplored sections without differentiation, making it hard to track progress. Actions and their impacts are not well communicated, adding to the bewilderment.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance is caused by backtracking due to limited fast travel, a looping sound glitch that requires exiting to clear, and unclear interface elements like save point options and boss health bars. These minor but persistent issues disrupt the flow.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.01): Dissatisfaction stems from generic level design and art style, coupled with a lack of polish. The game feels hard for the wrong reasons, failing to stand out or provide a satisfying experience.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement is fueled by story and comic rewards that encourage thorough exploration, as well as upgrades equipped on skulls that motivate players to seek out optional areas. This keeps players invested in combing every part of the game.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is earned through exceptional art with a unique style and insane detail, alongside exemplary Metroidvania design across all facets. The game stands out as a well-crafted example of the genre.
- Fun (weight 0.01): Players report a pleasant and fun experience, finding the game more enjoyable than comparisons suggest. The overall design delivers entertainment and good times.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy is found in tight movement and rewarding optional platforming challenges, making the game a small delight among other releases. The precise controls and satisfying challenges bring happiness.
- Disinterest (weight 0.01): Disinterest arises from dull exploration and combat that fail to capture attention. The game lacks the engaging elements needed to hold player interest.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is triggered by a static noise loop that plays nonstop in a late-game area, creating an intensely irritating audio bug that disrupts the experience.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness is felt because the game has barely any reviews or recognition, leading to a sense of underappreciation for a title that deserves more attention.
- Challenge (weight 0.01): Challenge is provided by demanding boss fights that test player skill and perseverance, forming a core part of the game's appeal for those seeking difficulty.
- Impressed (weight 0.01): Players are impressed by the unique take on a Metroidvania with a horror vibe, which sets it apart from typical entries in the genre.
- Hatred (weight 0.01): Hatred is directed at having to start over from a far checkpoint and repeat the same route, a punishing design choice that causes intense frustration and resentment.}