Hey everyone! Today, we’re diving into Catmaze, a fairy metroidvania inspired by Slavic myths, developed by Redblack Spade. It’s a unique adventure, and the combat mechanics have earned quite a bit of praise online. What’s your take on it?
I agree with user comments I’ve read about the enjoyable combat. Moreover, the game truly shines in its incorporation of the metroidvania genre traditions. The ability to return to previous areas to uncover secret paths and gain new skills really contributes to the game’s depth. Yet, I believe the game misses the mark a bit in terms of difficulty balance. Some users mentioned instances of unexpectedly cheap hits and unavoidable damage.
Speaking of return trips to previous areas, I love exploring this game’s open-world labyrinth of marshes, forest, and Slavic villages. The environment is dark and mysterious, fitting the theme of mythical beasts and sorcery perfectly. But in terms of narrative, it’s in this area that I think Catmaze really captivates its audience. Alesta’s quest to uncover the lost road to Nav and the individual stories of mythical bosses are both engaging and reveal a lot about the intriguing Slavic mythology.
Graphics and animations-wise, it seems to be a mix bag. Some users found the aesthetics charming, even if they weren’t particularly groundbreaking. However, there were complaints as well about character sprites clashing with the environment. The audio, on the other hand, adds a great deal to the atmosphere, setting the tone for the gloom and mystery that the game strives for.
Despite the challenges in execution, I must commend Redblack Spade for creating diverse characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Alesta is well defined and her use of summoned familiars with unique abilities adds a nice touch to gameplay. However, the game’s challenge level fluctuates, as noted by some users, which can sometimes hinder the gaming experience.
Still, Catmaze boasts quite a number of side quests. These not only add depth to the gameplay but also determine the end of the adventure, which is a unique feature I personally appreciated. I can see it having an impact on the game’s replay value, as players might want to return to seal different fates on their second playthrough.
I agree with CompletionistMaster. Despite some issues and quirks, Catmaze carves its own niche in the genre. Given its one-man development, it’s a remarkable endeavor. I hope to see an enhancement of its strengths and improvements on its weaknesses in potential sequels or updates.
As a speedrunner, I’m always looking for shortcuts and optimizations. Catmaze did not provide many opportunities in this regard, but its unique Slavic inspired mythology and enjoyable combat make up for it. Besides, even if it doesn’t have the most optimized design for speedrunning, it’s still an engaging game with a lot of potential in the future.
Agreed. It’s clear the game has a passionate fan base that enjoys both its unique mythology and engaging gameplay. With the experience gained from Catmaze, Redblack Spade can improve and deliver even better titles in the future.
