Guacamelee!

I’ve been longing for a true Metroidvania game for a long, long time. I just don’t understand how both Konami and Nintendo aren’t making more Metroid and Castlevania games. If they are not selling it's not that the games are bad, it’s that they didn’t know how to promote them. Anyway, fuck both companies, and let get with the review of this little short ‘n sweet game.

My radar always buzz when I hear Metroidvania, so my eyes cautiously locked on Guacamelee!; I say cautiously because many marketers are taking to throw that term these days at games that got nothing to do with the genre.

The first thing I noticed when I saw, Guacamelee was the art direction; A crisp cartoony style Similar to most Cartoon Network’s style, with a Mexican theme and lots of Lucha Libre. The design is simple but highly stylized with great coloring and lighting that springs life to the already charming art style.

The narrative is your usual damsel in distress, you play as farmer that dies in his attempt to save El presidente's daughter from the evil skeleton. After your death a mysterious Luchador gives you a mask that doesn’t only bring you back to life but also grants you powers of great Luchadore. The tone of the game is mostly comical, but it’s a hit and a miss; the biggest issue is that they relied mostly on internet culture meme and crap like that, it’s too cheap and lazy.

The gameplay, as it should be, is the best aspect of Guacamelee!. The game takes to the Metroidvania formula and does it relatively well; big open areas where certain paths are locked till you acquire a certain power-ups like double jump, a rooster transformation (Which is the game's equivalent to Metroid’s Morph ball), those are just two of many.

The gameplay is mostly split into two; puzzle platforming and battle, but what’s wonderful is how the same power-up can be used for both platforming and battle; for example you use the double jump to reach higher grounds but in battle it’s used as an uppercut. There are many other power-ups that I will retain from mentioning since I find it the most intriguing part of the game hence I won’t spoil.

A good enemy roster is always an indicator for great games; some developers may make good gameplay mechanics but fail in completing the circle; it’s like a penis without an erection. Drink box doesn’t stop there but they capitalize further on the diverse roster by challenging you with different combination of enemies that force you to alter the way you play as you progress.

The boss fights are very well crafted, it follows the formula of using your latest acquired power-up as the tool to take down the bosses. Nonetheless, the bosses are cleverly made to test both your platforming and battle abilities, but lacking when it comes to difficulty.

In closing, it’s REALLY hard to find a well-made Metroidvania game, but Guacamelee! doesn’t stop there as it’s full of personality, terrific aesthetics, great combat and level design.