Perfection
An unexpected masterclass blending classic Zelda exploration with bullet hell
This one caught me off guard in the best way. Going in, I really didn’t know what to expect, but it didn’t take long before I was picking up on some strong Link to the Past inspired vibes, especially when it comes to the map exploration. That comparison only goes so far though, because the combat takes a hard turn into bullet hell style territory, and it’s a fantastic twist on the formula. Boss fights lean into that bullet hell inspired style without ever feeling overwhelming, and the game backs it up with a leveling system where you pour skill points into a talent tree, one you’re free to reshuffle whenever you want without any penalty.
The controls deserve a special mention too. They’re incredibly tight and responsive, which makes weaving through the bullet patterns feel manageable rather than punishing. The main story clocks in around 7 hours, and if that’s not enough for you, there’s post game content, achievement hunting, and alternate endings to chase down for some added mileage.
The music won’t be making its way onto any of your playlists, and the story is told in a very passive way, but it’s not really the highlight of the game anyway. The gameplay alone is more than enough to carry your enjoyment from start to finish.
If you’re a fan of bullet hell games or grew up on old school top-down Zelda titles, this is an easy recommendation, generic name and all.