Narita Boy Reviews
Narita Boy has more style than it knows what to do with, and that helps carry it past its gameplay flaws
Narita Boy brings back the 80s vibes while taking us on a journey through the weird and interesting Digital Kingdom. The battles may feel plain and the process may become repetitive, yet the experience is still enjoyable.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
In that the look and feel isn't merely an exercise in style, but instead a vibrant emissive display of sights and sounds that leads to a world full of detail, silicon, and soul.
Narita Boy is a remarkable adventure, mainly for its blessed and retro-futuristic graphic style, but Studio KOBA's lack of experience made the plot a little repetitive and tiring. Still, it's worth checking out Narita Boy, who should find his place among the successful independent games and receive a sequel in the years to come.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Narita Boy fully succeeds in being a great homage to pixel titles of the past yet brings so many great modern features with it.
Narita Boy is a phenomenal game and one of the best games I've played in a long while. While it can often be a little too punishing and its platforming a little inconsistent, its incredible visuals, fluid combat and genuinely heartfelt narrative make up for it. It is a truly one of a kind experience and sets the bar rather high for those left to come.
By no means is Narita Boy a bad game, but it’s filled with way too many incoveniences that tarnish what could have easily been one of the best indie games of the year. It’s certainly enjoyable in its current state, not only as a stylish metroidvania game, but also as one hell of a synthwave treat to your ears. But its noticeable input lag, nonsensical plot, and most importantly, its overabundance of flashing lights got on my nerves pretty quickly.
Dive deep in this immersive 2D pixel-savvy world Studio Koba has created; just mind the controls.
Narita Boy feels like a completely unique experience and the first step for a new collection of games based around this digital aesthetic. The soundtrack here is flawless and the way everything plays into its setting and narrative is just as good. The gameplay might slog at times and not quite hit the mark, but Narita Boy is something you shouldn't miss.
With an old school cinematic action adventure feel and dripping with neon-lit nostalgic ooze I have no doubt that Narita Boy is targeted squarely at people like me who practically grew up in the arcades...
Narita Boy is a surprisingly melancholic experience that puts forth a narrative exploring the power fantasy that video games provide people. While the execution of the game itself can sometimes be lacking, it pays enough of an homage to its inspirations and celebration of the era while at the same time creating a visually creative world that could’ve been mistaken as having released a few decades ago.
Narita Boy is a linear action platformer. Narita Boy must recover the lost memories of the in-game “developer” to restore the Digital Kingdom to peace and harmony. Fight through hordes of enemies, meet interesting characters, and save the world in Narita Boy.
Narita Boy is among the best Metroidvanias in recent years. Its beautiful world, surprisingly emotional story, and diverse enemy pool will leave you wanting more from its short run time.
Narita Boy bets on a unique setting and on basic plataform concepts to create a pleasant adventure. The combat is exciting with agile movements and a good variety of situations, especially in the bosses. The highlight is the exotic and elaborate atmosphere inspired by the 1980s: the mythology of the Digital Kingdom is carefully crafted, and the pixel art look enchants with scenarios and scenes full of details complemented by a synthwave soundtrack. The simplicity of elements and the underutilization of mechanics is a little uncomfortable, but the atmosphere is able to compensate for these problems. In the end, Narita Boy is for those who wish to be transported to a different reality.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Narita Boy joins a plethora of entertainment franchises that pay homage to '80s culture. But where others have failed, Narita Boy transcends its inspiration with exceptional world building, a complex yet thoughtful narrative, and stunning combat gameplay. It occasionally feels a little too vague and abstract in its structure, and ultimately this holds it back from being a true masterpiece, but if you're longing for a great Metroidvania title, then Narita Boy is absolutely what you've been waiting for.
If it isn't already clear, Narita Boy is a great indie adventure. It's got satisfyingly slick gameplay, and the visuals are a delight. But perhaps the true star of the show is the stellar electronic soundtrack. Whether it's twinkling ambient tunes or booming synth chords, the music is superb.
Narita Boy is a feat of imagination, one of the most conceptually interesting games I’ve ever played. The retro world of the Digital Kingdom – its pixelart, design and art direction – are some of the most eye-catchingly beautiful ever committed to code. Its soundtrack is mesmerising, truly special synthwave. Narita Boy ends up more than the sum of its parts, going beyond the source code to deliver a game that should take its place alongside the greatest indies.
Did you use to spend your time playin' at the arcades? Did you enjoy the music of the 80s with synths and neon lights? Narita Boy is an ode to those afternoos playing at the arcades with your friends while you are listening the hits on the radio. Narita Boy is a side-scrolling mystical techno-tale game, with a metroidvania 2D esence and renew system of combat. If you play it, you'll come back to the eighties and you'll enjoy like a child.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Narita Boy is an extremely enjoyable action game with absurd, dreamy and lysergic aestethics.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Narita Boy is definitely one of the best looking indie platformers I've ever seen with it's unique art style and captivating music. It's neo-retro style mixed with religious themes make it unlike anything that's on the market today. The emphasis on combat shows with its well worked mechanics and engaging system. However Narita Boy does leave you wanting more from its exploration and platforming parts. But I did enjoy my time with Narita Boy and it's definitely one to pick up.