Let me tell you what’s great.
It’s great to see indie developers step up and make the games that they probably would’ve been inspired to make back in the 90s, had they possessed the knowledge and tools at the time.
But, in reality, it’s great to see the games now because they remind us of a simpler time of gaming, when we weren’t concerned about something being labeled a “quadruple-A game”. Sometimes it’s not about the quality, it’s about the fun you have.
And Lords of Exile from Squidbits, Pixelheart and Plug-In Digital is a whole lot of fun. Fashioned after the classic NES Castlevania games, Exile offers eight stages of enemy bashing goodness, with some extra content to cherish once the run is completed. It also does so with pretty much perfect visuals and sound from yesteryear, along with the right level of challenge.
Those of you that can’t accept the idea of “old” games entering this day and age may want to move on. But, like other entries of this type, Lords of Exile more than lives up to its affordable price point.
Enter the Knight
The game’s story is probably the weakest part of Lords of Exile, as there’s not really much exposition to speak of. But it does set the stage for what’s to come, putting you in the shoes of Gabriel. He’s a heroic knight who sets out to stop a demon warlord, while gaining some assistance from secondary spirits to help along.
These spirit companions can provide different purposes, depending when you meet up with them in-game. Their abilities can be used when necessary, and also come in handy when, say, you can’t get past a certain wall.
Despite the lack of storytelling, Lords of Exile makes up for it with good ol’ fashioned gameplay. It handles just as smoothly as any of Konami’s endeavors, and there are some cool tricks you can learn during the boss battles – once you figure out the patterns, of course.
There’s also a neat secondary element once you beat the game, as you get access to a character named Lyria. What she lacks in spirit support, she more than makes up for with butt-kickery (that’s a scientific term, by the way). You also gain access to speedrun and boss rush modes, which can be challenging to say the least.
The general game is a good time, though, and a nice reminder that some people still understand that you don’t need a massive budget to make a good game. Dedication to craft – and the right tools to convey that – can truly shake things up.
Straight Out of the NES Locker
Squidbits did a bang-up job with Lords of Exile’s presentation. The visuals remind us of the older NES days, complete with slight bits of flicker and neat little animations. The bosses are also something else, though still somewhat predictable through their massive attacks (which is par for the course). And the backdrops are neat, painting a fun little medieval land for you to roam through.
Along with that, the soundtrack is loaded with jumpy little chiptunes that are worth the listen. They match the mood of each stage that you come across, and, paired with the classic style of sound effects, really provide a punch to your modern software. Get headphones if you can.
One word of warning – it’s too easy to get hit mid-jump while navigating platforms. This is part of the old-school design, but might be a little frustrating for some. Just so you know.
Don’t Exile This One
If you’re not a fan of classic video game types, well, why are you reading this? Go enjoy Helldivers II and have a field day.
But if you cherish the days of old and are curious to see how the formula can evolve under talented hands, then Lords of Exile is for you. It’s classic Castlevania vibes through and through, from the solid presentation to the enjoyable gameplay. And the extras will keep you busy longer than you might expect – not bad considering the game’s budget price point (around $20).
So, yeah, dig in. This is definitely an instance where you don’t want to leave these Lords behind.
GAMERHUB RATING: FOUR (out of FIVE) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Plug-In Digital for the review code!
