The Messenger - Review Thread

Lelouch0612 · Aug 28, 2018

Available on Switch and PC

Metacritic - 89 (Switch)
Opencritic - 90 (Switch)

Easy Allies - 8.5/10

Nintendo Wire - 9.5/10

Full of character, story, well crafted stages, and superlative sprites and music, The Messenger should already be Cloudstepping its way to the top of your list of most wanted Switch games. In a year full of fantastic indie titles, it manages to live up to their precedent while arguably surpassing them. You can compare it to what's come before, and you can look forward to what might come next from Sabotage Studio, but more than anything you should take some time to play The Messenger as soon as possible, here and now.

Game Informer - 8/10

Nintendo World Report - 10/10

When I first sat down with The Messenger, I thought it'd be hard for it to live up to my brilliant, childhood memories of Ninja Gaiden on NES. It didn't just meet those expectations, it annihilated them. The Messenger is a straight-up brilliant addition to the Switch and if you have any affinity for platformers of nearly any shape or size, go play it right this second.

VentureBeat - 9/10

If you're a fan of classic action-platformers, The Messenger is another indie game that you need to own. It's much more than a tribute to Ninja Gaiden. This Switch and PC game cuts its own path with some inventive abilities and fun gameplay twists.

Hardcore Gamer - 4.5/5

Truth be told, these are but brief and minor gripes in what is a twenty hour quest (should you aim for a full 100% completion) chock full of charm, wit and some of the most mechanically-sound and cleverly-designed platforming you're likely to find this side of 2018.

GameSpot - 8/10

Inspired by the 8-bit and 16-bit action-platformers of yesteryear, The Messenger is an ambitious and well-balanced side-scroller that's as difficult as it is funny.

US Gamer - 10/10

The Messenger establishes itself as an excellent tribute to old-school platformers, then proceeds to rapidly up the ante with a series of outstanding gameplay twists. I'm deeply impressed by The Messenger's ambition and polish. It's a must-own for any retro enthusiast.

DualShockers - 9.5/10

The Messenger is not just a brilliant love letter to the 8-bit and 16-bit games that inspired it. It's proof that even in a market saturated with retro-style platformers, there are still clever ways to approach the genre. It is one of the most well-designed games I have ever played on both a gameplay and storytelling level. Sabotage really created something special here and I can't wait to see what they come up with next.

janusff · Aug 28, 2018

Looks like it's a great game.

Deleted member 2791 · Aug 28, 2018

Wow, it's that good ? I never realized how much I missed Ninja Gaiden so maybe I'll pick it up.

Moobabe · Aug 28, 2018

No I don't need another Switch game thanks! PLEASE NOW

Alastor3 · Aug 28, 2018

LordKano said:
Wow, it's that good ? I never realized how much I missed Ninja Gaiden so maybe I'll pick it up.

i can't go into details until the game release but yes, very good.

Deleted member 3017 · Aug 28, 2018

Thanks for making the thread! I couldn't, due to being on mobile. Game appears to be a winner, despite a somewhat disappointing second half, according to a few reviews I've read.

Edit - so yeah, it looks like a number of reviewers really like the second half! so, it varies from person to person

Dark Cloud · Aug 28, 2018

Damn. Another years old indie port on Switch?

Just joking. This looked good from the first time they showed it.

janusff · Aug 28, 2018

are there any mentions of those ninja gaiden hawks being in?

cause fuck those guys.

mindsale · Aug 28, 2018

Too many great games.

Jinaar · Aug 28, 2018

Can't wait to play this. Ninja Gaiden 1 2 3 were the best games to play on the NES. The memories of the pain and frustration that culminated into elation when I would get one step closer to the end game.

Eeeeeeee!

jschreier · Aug 28, 2018

I haven't had time to write up my thoughts yet on Kotaku (tomorrow or Thursday) but this game is really, really good.

Deleted member 3017 · Aug 28, 2018

jschreier said:
I haven't had time to write up my thoughts yet on Kotaku (tomorrow or Thursday) but this game is really, really good.

Did you finish it? I'm curious what you think of the second half of the game (the Metroidvania section).

daybreak · Aug 28, 2018

Hoping the OST goes up officially on YouTube or similar, because man do I need to listen to these tracks in their entirety.

jschreier · Aug 28, 2018

OrbitalBeard said:
Did you finish it? I'm curious what you think of the second half of the game (the Metroidvania section).

I'm up to the final level. I thought the first half was just fine, and then the second half blew me away.

ZanderEzekial · Aug 28, 2018

janusff said:
are there any mentions of those ninja gaiden hawks being in?

cause fuck those guys.

There are skeleton vultures and little skulls with wings that serve this purpose most handily.

chronomac · Aug 28, 2018

jschreier said:
I haven't had time to write up my thoughts yet on Kotaku (tomorrow or Thursday) but this game is really, really good.

I don't have any sort of emotional attachment to Ninja Gaiden, old or new - would you still recommend this game? I'm a fan of challenging platformers (Celeste, Shovel Knight, Hollow Knight, etc).

Dphex · Aug 28, 2018

holy shit, great scores so far...hype rising, i already have this pre ordered

Deleted member 3017 · Aug 28, 2018

jschreier said:
I'm up to the final level. I thought the first half was just fine, and then the second half blew me away.

Oh wow, great to hear! Thanks Jason.

Tesser · Aug 28, 2018

Might as well put my review in here:

Hardcore Gamer - 4.5/5

With its tight controls in full tow, The Messenger is a fantastic debut from a studio that may play deeply on their sole influence but, crucially, find the means to push beyond mere imitation to create something aesthetically fresh. A stellar platformer and one many will remember for some time.

Personally I had very little issues with the game's latter half aside from a new nitpicks pertaining to lack of warp/fast-travel points and some occasionally unnecessary back-tracking. But yes, the writing -- namely that which involves conversing with the Shopkeeper -- is The Messenger's hidden plus.

janusff · Aug 28, 2018

ZanderEzekial said:
There are skeleton vultures and little skulls with wings that serve this purpose most handily.

Lelouch0612 · Aug 28, 2018

Tesser said:
Might as well put my review in here:

Hardcore Gamer - 4.5/5

Personally I had very little issues with the game's latter half aside from a new nitpicks pertaining to lack of warp/fast-travel points and some occasionally unnecessary back-tracking. But yes, the writing -- namely that which involves conversing with the Shopkeeper -- is The Messenger's hidden plus.

hehe I dit put it but more praise for a game is never enough :p

Deleted member 6235 · Aug 28, 2018

Here's my review. (It's in PT-BR)

I honestly think it's one of 2018's best games and it turned into one of my favorite sidescrollers/metroidvanias. I loved every bit of it and can't think of any flaw for the game.

Clear · Aug 28, 2018

I thought for a month or so it was a strict linear 2d game...that i was going to buy anyhow. Now after watching that review posted it looks even better.

goodbye giftcards, hello The Messenger.

The Main Event · Aug 28, 2018

Whoa, that good huh. My Gold points are ready.

Kaako · Aug 28, 2018

Yaaaay, another great game to play! This generation has been kind to me.

Bernd Lauert · Aug 28, 2018

So how hard is it? I suck at games (I barely beat Shovel Knight).

SundaysBest · Aug 28, 2018

Yes I knew it! Everything i seen about this game has looked so good

BringBackSonics · Aug 28, 2018

Spawnwave says it's his indie game of the year.

Some gameplay from him.

JJShadow · Aug 28, 2018

Welp, we have another winner here. Too many good games to play right now and so little time, dammit

tolkir · Aug 28, 2018

BringBackSonics said:
Spawnwave says it's his indie game of the year.

Deleted member 3017 · Aug 28, 2018

This game is apparently around 15-20 hours long, which is wild.

Phabh · Aug 28, 2018

7 from Gamekult. Not bad coming from them.

https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/the-messenger-3050877541/test.html

Deleted member 6235 · Aug 28, 2018

OrbitalBeard said:
This game is apparently around 15-20 hours long, which is wild.

Yep. I finished it with 21 hours on the clock.

Regiruler · Aug 28, 2018

I am so, so ready for this.

Kaako · Aug 28, 2018

OrbitalBeard said:
This game is apparently around 15-20 hours long, which is wild.

Granjinha said:
Yep. I finished it with 21 hours on the clock.

Holy hell, this game got length.

oberjin · Aug 28, 2018

Whoa ! Never heard of this game until now, and now I want it so baaaad !!!

Tesser · Aug 28, 2018

OrbitalBeard said:
This game is apparently around 15-20 hours long, which is wild.

I wager roughly 20 hours if you want to 100% the game. I warn you though: some of the collectibles are never-ending-curse-word inducing levels of frustrating to acquire. All in all, this may very well land in my personal Top 5 (let alone Top 10) of the year.

gogojira · Aug 28, 2018

Welp, another indie game I'm going to have to buy.

Lelouch0612 · Aug 28, 2018

Frankly we are spoilt. Indies have been amazing this year.

Imitatio · Aug 28, 2018

Too many reviews today, lol.

Hanbei · Aug 28, 2018

Phabh said:
7 from Gamekult. Not bad.

https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/the-messenger-3050877541/test.html

7/10 from Gamekult means 9/10 from any other website.

carlosrox · Aug 28, 2018

It looks good but unfortunately I really can't deal with the comedic tone or the music. This isn't for me.

Blackueen · Aug 28, 2018

This one wasn't even on my radar yet. Oh well, bye bye money!

More_Badass · Aug 28, 2018

Tesser said:
Might as well put my review in here:

Hardcore Gamer - 4.5/5

Personally I had very little issues with the game's latter half aside from a new nitpicks pertaining to lack of warp/fast-travel points and some occasionally unnecessary back-tracking. But yes, the writing -- namely that which involves conversing with the Shopkeeper -- is The Messenger's hidden plus.

An retro-styled action platformer like this with a good story? I'm intrigued

Big G · Aug 28, 2018

Another one to add to the list!

butman · Aug 28, 2018

Look amazing! PC version for me.

Phabh · Aug 28, 2018

Hanbei said:
7/10 from Gamekult means 9/10 from any other website.

Yeah, you can often at least add one point by default ;)

jschreier · Aug 28, 2018

Tesser said:
I wager roughly 20 hours if you want to 100% the game. I warn you though: some of the collectibles are never-ending-curse-word inducing levels of frustrating to acquire. All in all, this may very well land in my personal Top 5 (let alone Top 10) of the year.

Yeah, getting all the collectibles is super fun + satisfying IMO.

Deleted member 4518 · Aug 28, 2018

I saw Greg Miller was playing this on Instagram a few days ago and it looked really cool.

$25 CAD is too much though right now. Once I'm finished with a few other indie titles I hope it goes on sale.

cw_sasuke · Aug 28, 2018

Man...it looked awesome in the trailer but didnt expect such positive reviews.
Guess thats another one to add to the list.

The Messenger - Review Thread

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