Retro-Inspired Games As Tough As The Messenger
Cave Story
Originally created as an ode to Castlevania and Metroid Prime, Cave Story dropped on PC in 2004 and is, arguably, the most complete, and modern take on the Metroidvania genre. The title has been re-imagined and built upon since then, with the original title receiving several ports. Cave Story+ and Cave Story 3D were released in 2011, building upon the original’s refined toolkit. Cave Story’s success lays in how it modernizes its inspirations, offering a floaty control scheme and intricate level design to keep players consistently on their toes.
Whilst Castlevania and Metroid games retain their own sense of difficulty, Cave Story exploits the sub-genres most difficult undertones and ramps them up to eleven, providing levels that feel downright claustrophobic with enemies and mechanics. The Messenger shares ground with Cave Story on how each title is so obviously indebted to the past, yet refuse to be straddled by it due to their own impeccable design.
