Unsighted Reviews
Unsighted boasts engaging gameplay and lore, strong dungeon design, all wrapped around an effective and impactful countdown mechanic
For some, these temporal limits will no doubt be the cause of much stress and anxiety, which is why many will appreciate that the game allows you to toggle them on or off at any time. Personally, I feel something is lost without the aggressive march of time, which adds a genuine sense of finitude to this post-apocalyptic tale. Without this extra dimension, Unsighted becomes a duller and more quantifiable thing - just another Zelda-like or Metroidvania that time is likely to forget.
Unsighted remixes familiar ideas with an engrossing spin on what it means to take on a time-sensitive mission to save the world.
Unsighted combines some very familiar ideas: it's a top-down, roguelite, sci-fi Metroidvania with a strong 16-bit aesthetic. Its time-is-ticking, post-apocalyptic scenario is brought to life by the enchanting palettes of its pixel art, making a world you want to explore, full of characters you want to know. Far from punishing, it leans more on the 'lite' than the 'rogue', letting fun prevail – as it will, thanks to the addictive rhythm of the controls, backed by punchy sounds. The cooperative multiplayer is icing on top of an already well-iced cake. Combining flavours of Super Nintendo classics with modern playability, Unsighted is the game 1995 desperately wanted to make but just didn't know how.
Unsighted is hard enough to be a challenge, but just fair enough to hook you in for one more go. Well worth checking out.
But that’s the thing, if all games were judged on their story, many masterpieces wouldn’t be very good, especially in the Metroidvania genre. A good story is a bonus, and Unsighted’s gameplay is fundamentally near-perfect. But I can’t help being disappointed at what this could have been with good writing. If I could have really fallen in love with the characters, it would have been so emotional when they turned mad, or if I was to be forced to choose between them and someone else I may need to beat the game.
That just scratches the surface - there’s also crafting, a chip slot equipment system, companions to help in battle, some simple item fishing a la Hades, unique weapons to divine, and many more secrets we haven’t even touched upon. For Brazilian developer Studio Pixel Punk, Unsighted is an accessible and content-rich debut with a compelling sci-fi drama at its core, and certainly in the argument for one of the best metroidvanias of the year.
Unsighted is a hard and pure metroidvania, cared for and fun in every aspect, able to satisfy both experienced players and those less accustomed to the genre.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Unsighted is, at the end of the day, a bearable experience that despite not standing out so much with its narrative or its world, knows how to compensate for this with its entertaining and varied gameplay,thus achieving that the only thing that is heavy during the hours it takes them to reach the end of their games, is to decide how to properly use our time. There is still much to discover, since there are surprises that I preferred not to mention in this whole text, so that you can discover everything in your own step and you can feel the satisfaction that I myself experienced in each new discovery.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Unsighted is a great adventure. At first, it may lack a distinct identity due to its many influences, and its stamina system and time limit can cause frustration and anxiety. However, players that stick with it or adjust some of its more grating aspects will find a lot to love. Give it a whirl if you are into Metroidvanias with an emphasis on planning and strategy.
Unsighted is this year's best Metroidvania/Zelda-like game by a long shot. It's creative, gripping, and accessible with a ton of stuff to do and see. There are a few small issues, like some awkward writing or too much menuing, but those are well worth it for such a fun, polished experience.
A pixel-art Metroidvania-like action game that looks great, and plays well, but has a few odd design components.
UNSIGHTED deserves recognition and exposure not only for the crisp design, beautiful world, hypnotic tunes, and abundant secrets, but for the unique concepts it introduces to great effect, namely the NPC death timers. The stakes in games often lie in winning or losing a fight and having to expend more personal time on a fight that bruised our egos. Here, we have the added layer of humble automaton friends’ lives hanging by a thread. Even though I found several secrets throughout my initial trek, I am absolutely certain more can be uncovered; I just might take a rare plunge into New Game+.
Unsighted delivers engaging top-down action combat and a heartwarming narrative about connection, sacrifice, and love. The gameplay is fast and victory tastes sweet. Not everyone will enjoy the journey's burdens, and getting lost can frustrate you immensely, but the destination is worth the journey.
Overall, UNSIGHTED is a game that I hope doesn't fall into the "hidden gem" category. For the simple reason that it is a gem that should not be hidden and needs to be in the line of sight (get it?) of as many gamers as possible. Despite the stress of the lifespan gimmick, this unique element is what will keep you on your toes and panicking, worrying but ultimately loving your time as Alma. The narrative is beautiful, and characters are all full of life and loveable, making for a gaming journey that you will genuinely care about.
UNSIGHTED is an amazing game that manages to bring together various elements of different genres in a masterly way. With a beautiful narrative coupled with incredible combat and exploration, it's one of the best games of the year so far.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
UNSIGHTED does a lot of things and it does them extremely well. So, if you enjoy the classic Zelda formula, Metroidvania exploration, twin-stick shooting, and reaction-based combat then you'll love your time with this gem of an indie.
Unsighted is interesting to me, in part because at just a casual glance, or even just a very short play session, I believe people will severely underestimate its ambition and execution...
Overall, Unsighted is a solid nonlinear platformer with ample depth and content. While the start is a bit bumpy, the game quickly finds its rhythm and provides enjoyable gameplay with a retro feel. The timer and stamina systems may be frustrating to some players, but the game provides more than the typical customizability to scale the difficulty for casual players. In short, it’s hardly an un-sightly experience; it’s well worth a good long look!