Info about Valfaris:

Official game description:
Wishlist The Next Game! Valfaris: Mecha Therion
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Full Metal Mode Now Available for Free
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Valfaris launched as a modern take on the challenging experiences of gaming’s past. But, was it hard enough? We introduce Valfaris - Full Metal Mode! A New Game + variant that unlocks after completing the game once! Restart the game with your entire arsenal, maintaining all upgrades from the previous run. Which is good, as all enemy stats and aggressions have been juiced to the next level. Experience deadlier difficulty, deadlier firepower, deadlier boss fights!  
**Update Notes**  
*   All weapons, upgrades, and upgrade items carry over between runs  
*   Enemies have increased health, attack, and aggression  
*   Bosses receive the same buffs - with additional attack patterns  
*   Therion takes more damage  
*   New Destroyer Class Weapon  
*   New Achievement for defeating Full Metal Mode
Can you rip the galaxy another wormhole?
About the Game
==============
**Recently Updated - Full Metal Mode**  
Valfaris’s take on New Game +. Restart with your entire collected arsenal and upgrades to face off against more difficult enemies, battle buffed bosses encounters, and seek out the new Destroyer class weapon!  
After mysteriously vanishing from galactic charts, the fortress of Valfaris has suddenly reappeared in the orbit of a dying sun. Once a self-contained paradise, the grandiose citadel now plays host to an ever-growing darkness.  
Therion, a fearless and proud son of Valfaris, returns to his home to uncover the truth of its doomed fate and to challenge the arcane evil at its very heart.  
**Key Features**  
*   Skulls in space! Gore in space! Metal in space!  
*   Savagely reduce foes to piles of gibs with an array of brutal weaponry  
*   Explore a diverse range of tainted environments as you venture ever deeper into the dark world of Valfaris  
*   Dominate ranks of deadly enemies and bosses, from the weird to the grotesque (and some that are just grotesquely weird)  
*   Gorge your eyes on devastatingly awesome pixel art hand-crafted by Andrew Gilmour  
*   Feel the power of a seismic soundtrack by extreme metaller and former Celtic Frost guitarist, Curt Victor Bryant  
*   Forged from the ground-up by the team behind cult hit Slain: Back From Hell
Valfaris Digital Deluxe Edition
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In addition to the full game, the Valfaris Digital Deluxe Edition includes the following content:  
**Valfaris - Digital OST**  
Composed and recorded by former Celtic Frost guitarist Curt Victor Bryant, enjoy the savage sounds of Valfaris. The OST includes 20 original tracks.  
**Valfaris - Digital Artbook**  
From concept sketches to final in-game imagery, this collection showcases the work of Valfaris developer Steel Mantis, a two-man team comprised of Andrew Gilmour (artist and designer) and Thomas Jenns (programmer and designer). Get a closer look at weapon, enemy, and environment art, as well as previously unseen – and unused! – designs.  
Get ready to rip the galaxy a new wormhole!

Release date: Oct 10, 2019

Categories: 2D Platformer, Run 'n' Gun, Shoot 'em up, Metroidvania, Action Platformer, Boss Rush, Pixel Art Style, Heavy Metal

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 10; verdict: Seamless; summary: The filtered reviews show a seamless Steam Deck experience. Two users explicitly state the game works great and is great to play on Steam Deck. No technical barriers are reported, such as external launchers, anti-cheat errors, small text, battery drain, crashes, or mandatory Proton Experimental tweaks. One German review notes occasional control imprecision, but it is not Deck-specific.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $24.99
  - Reasoning: The discount-focused reviews consistently treat the game as a good buy only around deep sale prices, e.g. the -80% discount on the $24.99 base equals about $5, and another reviewer bought it on sale for about 900 yen (~$6). This pulls the community's fair value well below the full base price. However, other reviews explicitly endorse buying at full price or say it is worth it normal or on sale. Balancing the sale-only sentiment with the full-price endorsements suggests a fair base-game range of roughly $10 to $24.99, with the strongest consensus below the current $24.99 ceiling.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 7.5h
  - Story completion: 7.5h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: 2.0h
  - Reasoning: The completion quotes show a range but cluster around 7.5 hours: one full playthrough took 8-9 hours, another player finished in a single 7.5-hour sitting, and a first run is described as up to 7 hours. Since Valfaris is a linear run-and-gun, the same full-playthrough evidence is used for storyCompletion. For endgame, one review states Full Metal Mode is New Game+ and a skilled Full Metal Mode run takes about 2 hours, so endgame is estimated at 2 hours. No consistent typical session length is provided, so sessionLength is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Valfaris tends to start weak for some players but becomes enjoyable once its pace picks up and progression rewards patience. Others still find it repetitive, tedious, or limited by controls and difficulty.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: The game picks up its pace
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Weak opening; Repetitive gameplay and tedious sections; Control limitations that make boss fights feel like a chore; Disappointing pacing and game design; High difficulty with a punishing checkpoint/life system
  - Unlock drivers: The pace picks up after the weak opening; Commitment, patience, and adaptability are rewarded with progression and competence; Linear level design is tuned for challenge and pacing; Removal of the tedious Slain overworld speeds up the action; Metal riffs and fast-paced Contra-style chaos create an immediate hook
  - Conditions: Tolerance for high difficulty; Willingness to commit, be patient, and adapt; Appreciation for metal music and blood/gore aesthetic; Interest in fast-paced run-and-gun or Contra-style action; Preference for linear, tuned progression over open-ended exploration; Low tolerance for repetition or tedious sections can prevent enjoyment
- Player Archetypes:
  - Hardcore Run-and-Gun Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: To master a demanding retro run-and-gun and keep improving through repeated, faster, harder runs.
    - Playstyle: Aggressive platform shooting, pattern memorization, checkpoint route optimization, NG+ and Full Metal Mode runs.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Contra; Cuphead; Metal Slug; Gunstar Heroes
  - Frustrated Difficulty-Skeptic (no buy)
    - Motivation: To enjoy a brutal metal action-platformer, but the punishing checkpoints and unfair deaths repeatedly drain the fun.
    - Playstyle: Cautious ranged play and attempted memorization, but often stops or disengages when repetition feels like a grind.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Elden Ring
  - Heavy Metal Aesthetic Arcade Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: To feel the adrenaline of a gory, heavy-metal arcade action game with a strong retro aesthetic.
    - Playstyle: Frenetic run-and-gun combat with sword, shield, and secondary weapons while soaking in the music and visual style.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Warhammer 40K; Doom; Shank
  - Chill Casual Completionist (buy)
    - Motivation: To experience a stylish, short action-platformer from start to finish without a hardcore mastery grind.
    - Playstyle: Relaxed single playthrough, often with a controller or cheats, exploring enough to complete the game once and then moving on.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: chill gamer; not hardcore
    - 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:
- Fun and engaging gameplay (weight 0.28): Many reviews highlight the game as fun, enjoyable, and well-designed, with challenging yet rewarding action. The overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive about the core gameplay experience.
- Large weapon variety (weight 0.24): Players frequently praise the extensive selection of weapons, including diverse types such as pistols, shotguns, swords, and unlockable firearms. This variety is often noted as a key strength.
- Cool boss fights (weight 0.18): Bosses are often highlighted as cool, fun, and well-designed, with some particularly memorable encounters.
- Weapon upgrade system (weight 0.16): The ability to upgrade weapons multiple times using resources like Blood Metal is well-received, adding depth and progression. Reviews mention 19 weapons across three categories with three-tier upgrades.
- Praise for pixel art (weight 0.14): The pixel art style is consistently described as solid, attractive, and beautiful, contributing positively to the game's visual appeal.
- Challenging and polished (weight 0.13): The game is praised for being challenging yet well-designed and polished, offering a satisfying experience.
- Satisfying weapon feel (weight 0.12): Weapons are often described as cool, powerful, and satisfying to use, enhancing the overall combat experience.
- Fantastic soundtrack (weight 0.11): The soundtrack receives high praise, with descriptors like fantastic, impeccable, and great, enhancing the overall experience.
- Smooth and innovative gameplay (weight 0.11): Gameplay is often described as working beautifully, smooth, and innovative, with combat feeling great.
- Excellent action platformer (weight 0.1): Reviews frequently call it a great action platformer, worth playing for fans of the genre, with excellent design and style.
- Balanced difficulty (weight 0.09): The difficulty is often described as balanced, neither too hard nor too easy, providing a pleasant challenge.
- Stylish heavy-metal platformer (weight 0.09): The game is characterized as an extremely stylish and brutal heavy-metal platformer, appealing to fans of hardcore platformers.
- Contra spiritual successor (weight 0.09): Many note the game as a spiritual successor to Contra, with fast-paced chaos and 80s style reminiscent of Contra and Metal Slug.
- Metal soundtrack integral (weight 0.08): The heavy metal soundtrack is often highlighted as integral to the experience, perfectly blending with the game's setting and emphasizing action.
- Amazing world and enemy design (weight 0.08): The design of locations and enemies is frequently described as amazing, incredible, and memorable, contributing to immersion.
- Variety in enemies and levels (weight 0.08): Players appreciate the rich variety in level design, enemies, and boss fights, keeping the game fresh and engaging.
- Good weapon variety and design (weight 0.08): Weapons are praised for their variety and well-design, with excellent diversity in environments and enemies as well.

Common complaints:
- High difficulty, no settings (weight 0.23): Many players note the game is extremely difficult with no option to adjust difficulty. This lack of accessibility frustrates those seeking a more manageable experience.
- Clunky controls and input delay (weight 0.21): Controls feel clunky and unresponsive, even with a gamepad, with noticeable input delay. This leads to repeated deaths in difficult moments.
- Endless enemy respawns (weight 0.14): Enemies respawn infinitely in many areas, often on a semi-randomized timer. This creates a constant stream of foes that many find overwhelming.
- Final boss: three phases, no checkpoint (weight 0.13): The final boss has three consecutive phases with no checkpoint in between, making it extremely punishing. Players must restart from the beginning if they die in any phase.
- Bosses kill after defeat (weight 0.12): Some bosses explode or attack after being defeated, killing the player and forcing a retry. This is widely considered unfair and frustrating.
- Checkpoint spacing inconsistent (weight 0.1): Checkpoints are sometimes too close together, but later become far apart, causing uneven difficulty spikes. The distance between checkpoints can be long, especially toward the end.
- 8-directional aiming limitations (weight 0.1): Players can only attack in 8 directions while enemies can attack from any angle, creating a disadvantage. This is particularly problematic for controller users.
- Parry timing is awkward (weight 0.08): Parrying requires precise timing that feels unintuitive, often needing to start during wind-up rather than the attack itself. Players find it difficult to master.
- Enemies too numerous and damaging (weight 0.08): Enemies are numerous and deal extreme damage, overwhelming the player. This is particularly punishing between checkpoints.
- Weapon imbalance: optimal choices (weight 0.08): Some weapons are clearly stronger than others, making only a few viable. Upgrading the wrong weapon can make the game significantly harder.
- Bosses too hard overall (weight 0.05): Many bosses are considered excessively difficult, with frustrating mechanics. Some players find them unfair and unbalanced.
- Knockback causes instant death (weight 0.05): Hitstun and knockback can send the player into an abyss, resulting in instant death and low fault tolerance. This feels cheap and unfair.
- Unforgiving platforming sections (weight 0.05): Platforming sequences are atrocious and extremely unforgiving, requiring precise jumps. Many players find these sections frustrating.
- Combat feels janky (weight 0.05): Combat is often described as janky, with inconsistent hit detection and stiff animations. This detracts from the overall experience.
- Poor Chinese machine translation (weight 0.04): The Chinese localization is machine-translated and extremely poor in UI settings and story. This degrades the experience for Chinese-speaking players.
- Weak story and narrative (weight 0.04): Players seeking narrative depth find the story thin and underdeveloped. The narrative is considered weak and fails to engage.
- Hard to distinguish terrain (weight 0.04): Background scenery is often confused with platforms or doors, making navigation frustrating. Visual clarity is lacking in some areas.
- Monotonous and repetitive gameplay (weight 0.04): The gameplay loop is repetitive and monotonous, lacking variety. This makes the game feel like a chore over time.
- Checkpoint activation costs resources (weight 0.04): Activating checkpoints requires manually consuming respawn tokens, adding a layer of resource management. This can be frustrating when tokens are scarce.
- Some enemies are uninspired (weight 0.04): Certain enemies feel boring and uninspired to fight, lacking engaging mechanics. This reduces combat enjoyment.

Gameplay feedback:
- Retro 2D action platformer (weight 0.52): The game is widely described as a retro-style 2D action platformer with run-and-gun, Contra-inspired gameplay and pixelated pre-rendered graphics. It focuses on stage-clearing, fast-paced side-scrolling action reminiscent of 80s and 90s classics.
- Weapon variety and upgrades (weight 0.31): The game offers a wide variety of weapons, including multiple gun types, melee weapons, and swords, each with different projectile patterns and secondary effects. Weapons can be upgraded using metallic tokens to increase range and power.
- Numerous challenging boss fights (weight 0.23): The game features many boss fights, including mini-bosses and boss rush sequences, each with unique attack patterns, mechanics, and gimmicks. The final boss is particularly difficult, often requiring multiple phases.
- Endless enemy respawns frustrate (weight 0.15): Many players complain that enemies spawn endlessly, respawn infinitely on semi-randomized timers, and appear out of thin air, including during boss fights. This often leads to unavoidable damage and a sense of unfair difficulty.
- Energy shield parry mechanic (weight 0.13): An energy shield allows players to block enemy projectiles and reflect them back, often stunning or damaging enemies. This parry mechanic is a key defensive and offensive tool.
- Full Metal difficulty mode (weight 0.12): A special 'Full Metal Mode' offers an increased challenge, often adding an extra heavy weapon. However, some players note the lack of standard difficulty settings or a level select feature.
- Hardcore death-heavy difficulty (weight 0.08): The game is designed to be very difficult, with a 'die more than play' style that emphasizes repeated deaths and pattern memorization. This hardcore approach is both praised and criticized by players.
- Mix of shooting and melee (weight 0.07): Combat requires a combination of ranged shooting and melee attacks, with players often switching between weapons to handle different enemy types and situations.

Performance notes:
- Painful high-frequency audio (weight 0.1): Multiple reports describe piercing high-frequency cymbals and weapon sounds that become painful after an hour or two of play, including the pause button sound. Cutting frequencies above 10kHz reportedly makes the game more playable, and in-game volume controls are insufficient to fix the poor balance. Clusters 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 all point to the same unresolved audio problem.
- Mixed PC performance reports (weight 0.09): Feedback on optimization is inconsistent: some players call it poor, others average, while some report it runs excellently on Steam Deck and even on weak PCs. Given the 2D sprite-based graphics with non-intensive effects, the game should run comfortably on budget systems, so the poor-optimization reports likely reflect specific hardware or settings issues rather than a universal problem.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for platformer fans (weight 0.2): A significant number of players recommend the game specifically to fans of platformers, especially action-focused or difficult side-scrolling ones. This niche appeal is a common theme.
- Better to buy on sale (weight 0.14): A common recommendation is to purchase the game during a discount or sale event. Some suggest waiting for a price drop before buying.
- Highly recommended by players (weight 0.12): Many reviewers express strong overall recommendations for the game. The positive sentiment is consistent across multiple clusters.
- Worth the price (weight 0.1): Reviewers frequently state the game is worth its cost, whether at full price or on sale. The value proposition is a recurring positive point.
- Appeals to retro shooter fans (weight 0.08): Reviewers frequently recommend the game to fans of classic shooters like Contra and Castlevania. The retro action style is a key selling point.
- Controller strongly recommended (weight 0.05): Several reviewers advise playing with a controller, with some stating they would not recommend the game without one. This suggests the control scheme is better suited to a gamepad.
- Recommended for challenge seekers (weight 0.05): The game is often recommended to players who enjoy a difficult challenge. This appeal to a specific audience is a notable point.
- High difficulty may deter some (weight 0.05): While enjoyed overall, the game's high difficulty is noted as a potential barrier for many players. It is not considered suitable for everyone.
- Received high review scores (weight 0.04): Some reviewers gave the game an excellent rating, such as 8/10 or 9/10. These scores reflect a high level of satisfaction.

Other player notes:
- Frequent Contra Comparisons (weight 0.19): Multiple reviews compare this game to the Contra series, particularly the SNES and NES entries. Some also mention similar titles like Midnight Resistance and Doom Troopers.
- Short Playthrough Length (weight 0.17): Many reviewers mention the game is relatively short, with playthrough times ranging from 3 to 9 hours. Some describe it as beatable in a couple of evenings.
- Developed by Steel Mantis (weight 0.16): The game is developed by the indie studio Steel Mantis, known for their previous title Slain: Back from Hell. Some reviews also note it is published by Silver Lining Interactive.
- Improvement Over Slain (weight 0.12): Reviewers frequently compare this game to Slain: Back from Hell, noting it as a significant improvement in all areas. Many find it more enjoyable and easier to play.
- Soundtrack by Curt Victor Bryant (weight 0.09): The soundtrack is composed by Curt Victor Bryant, a former guitarist of the band Celtic Frost. This detail is frequently praised in reviews.
- Steam Deck Compatibility (weight 0.08): Several reviewers report that the game runs perfectly and plays very well on the Steam Deck. Compatibility is highlighted as a positive feature.
- Warhammer Visual Influence (weight 0.07): The visual style is often compared to Warhammer, with some reviews also mentioning Warhammer 40k Necrons. This aesthetic is seen as a defining characteristic.
- High Value for Money (weight 0.07): Reviewers consider the game to be high value for money, especially given its low price and frequent discounts. Many note it is very reasonable for its cost.
- Pixel Art by Andrew Gilmour (weight 0.05): The hand-drawn pixel art is created by Andrew Gilmour. Reviewers often note the visual style as a standout feature.
- New Game Plus Mode (weight 0.04): A Full Metal New Game Plus mode is available after beating the game. This adds replayability for players who enjoy the combat.
- Deserves More Recognition (weight 0.04): Several reviewers feel the game deserves more recognition and popularity. They believe it is underappreciated by the wider gaming community.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.24): Players feel frustrated due to sluggish gameplay, clunky controls, and a lack of modern options like 360-degree aiming, which make combat and platforming feel unresponsive. The extreme difficulty, enemy spam, frequent deaths, and punishing checkpoint systems further exacerbate this, especially with bosses that have multiple phases and no mid-fight saves. Additionally, resource scarcity, permanent upgrade choices, and unfair mechanics like enemies attacking after death contribute to a sense of unfairness and constant retries.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.11): Players enjoy the fast-paced, challenging gameplay, satisfying combat, and heavy metal soundtrack that creates an adrenaline-pumping experience. The variety of weapons, boss fights, and retro aesthetic reminiscent of classic run-and-gun games like Contra contribute to the fun. Even though the game is difficult, many find it entertaining and rewarding, with good music and visuals enhancing the overall experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.1): Disappointment arises from unmet expectations, as the game falls short of similar retro titles and its predecessor, with uneven level design, poor translation, and a bland story. The difficulty is often seen as unfair rather than enjoyable, with punishing mechanics like bosses attacking after defeat and limited weapon variety due to a restrictive upgrade system. Additionally, the lack of co-op, repetitive segments, and outdated 8-way aiming contribute to a sense of missed potential.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Satisfaction stems from overcoming the game's challenging difficulty, mastering mechanics like parrying, and defeating tough bosses after multiple attempts. The well-tuned difficulty, weapon variety, and rewarding progression provide a sense of accomplishment. Players appreciate the polished gameplay, art, and music, and feel that the game delivers a fulfilling experience despite its hardships.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Excitement is driven by the stylish heavy-metal presentation, frenetic action, and intense combat with gore and responsive character controls. The amazing world and enemy design, combined with a killer soundtrack and visceral weapon feedback, create a high-energy experience that hooks players quickly. The fast-paced gameplay and aggressive visual style keep players engaged and thrilled.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Players appreciate the smooth difficulty curve, regular checkpoints, and intentional design with excellent weapon variety. The atmospheric level design, art style, and sound effects, along with the beautiful graphics and music, contribute to a positive experience. The developers' responsiveness and the freedom to play without activating checkpoints are also valued, making the game feel well-crafted and considerate.
- Annoyance (weight 0.04): Annoyance is caused by control issues, such as awkward sword mechanics and the inability to change the control scheme, which increase difficulty unfairly. The checkpoint system that requires sacrificing upgrades or health, enemies spawning on top of the player, and bosses changing behavior at low health add to the irritation. These design choices lead to unnecessary repetition and frustrating moments.
- Love (weight 0.03): Love for the game is rooted in its aesthetic, metal theme, and art style, combined with gory enemy explosions and a killer soundtrack. The gameplay, mechanics, and overall quality, including improvements over previous titles, resonate deeply with players. The challenging difficulty and replayability, along with the sound design and environmental aesthetics, foster a strong affection for the game.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Admiration is felt for the awesome combat and gameplay, incredible design, and fast action complemented by beautiful weapons and a metal soundtrack. The game is rewarding and hard as nails, with the final hours and last boss being particularly amazing. The extraordinary realization and art style, along with the magnificent atmosphere and excellent pixel art, earn high praise.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm is expressed for the game being very good, fantastic, and highly recommended, often described as one of the best in its genre. The outstanding heavy metal soundtrack, incredible pixel art, and challenging gameplay contribute to the excitement. Players feel it materializes what they dreamed of playing and recommend it wholeheartedly.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom arises from the game feeling repetitive and tedious, with a tired revenge story and lost interest after hours of trying to finish. The Full Metal run in the second area and overall gameplay loop are seen as underwhelming. These factors lead to a lack of engagement and a sense of monotony.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Dislike is driven by the game forcing players to keep the same weapons throughout, being too hardcore and brutal, and relying on repeated deaths and memorization to progress. The difficulty design and the bait of skipping save points to become stronger are also disliked. Additionally, some players do not enjoy the music, which adds to the negative sentiment.
- Stress (weight 0.01): Stress is caused by the game being too difficult to enjoy, with enemies becoming faster and more dangerous each level. Trial and error gameplay, punishing traps, and 8-direction aiming instead of 360° aiming in certain situations create a tense and stressful experience. The constant pressure and high difficulty make it hard to relax and enjoy.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger stems from the game's high difficulty and lack of accessibility options, combined with frustrating enemy placement, infinite spawning flies, low health drops, and no healing items. Artificial difficulty and bad climbing sections further provoke anger. The difficulty is even compared to BDSM, ruining the experience for some players.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Immersion is achieved through the harmonious blend of shooting, sword swinging, and shield raising to the rhythm of the music, creating a feeling of war despite the 2D perspective. The intense world filled with heavy metal soundtracks and pixel art, where everything on screen and in headphones harmonizes, deeply immerses players in the experience.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): Disgust is provoked by enemy spam that worsens as the game progresses, and the design of forcing a re-fight after a boss before the next save point. Some players view the game as unplayable crap that only exists due to nostalgia, calling the design 'dead horse hell design'. These elements evoke strong repulsion and irritation.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise is felt at the interesting tension between choosing to unlock checkpoints or having a higher health pool, and at the game reviving old run-and-gun roots. The brutal and overwhelming difficulty also surprises players, as does the proper support for Japanese. Some are surprised by complaints that the game is too hard, finding it manageable.
- Discomfort (weight 0.01): Discomfort is caused by visuals that are monotonous and hurt the eyes, with eye strain occurring after just ten minutes of play. Painful high-frequency sounds from cymbals, weapons, and the pause button also contribute to physical unease. These sensory issues detract from the overall experience.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia is evoked by the game reminding players of childhood memories and Sega games of that era, as well as Contra and old SEGA platformers. The 90s pre-rendered 2D graphics style triggers fond recollections of classic gaming experiences. This nostalgic feeling enhances the appeal for long-time fans of the genre.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from the resurrection idol mechanic never being explained, leaving players unsure of its purpose. Busy art makes it hard to distinguish threats from effects and platforms from background, causing visual disorientation. Mixed feelings of love and hate toward the game also contribute to a sense of confusion.}