Xeodrifter Reviews
"Mixture of Metroid and Mutant Mudds is not a success story."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
While certainly charming and cleverly designed for its short length, Xeodrifter ultimately feels too disjointed for its own good. Separating the overworld into four, smaller maps is a good idea in theory, but the disconnect between stages takes away the interconnected feeling of exploration Metroidvanias thrive on. Bosses themselves are also a big letdown, especially since the weapon customisation would lend itself well to more varied foes. It's even difficult to recommend Xeodrifter as a beginner's Metroidvania since the early game is far harder than everything that comes after. It's endearing enough and can kill an easy three hours, but there are better Metroidvanias to choose from.
It's also unfortunate that there isn't a stronger story arc or antagonist to further improve the experience. Regardless, Xeodrifter is a clever title that'll feel right at home on a PlayStation Vita with its short bursts of gameplay and inspired mechanics, providing a formidable challenge to boot.
Xeodrifter's mix of old-school 2D platformer sensibilities and new-school visual effects is charming, and finding a new ability that unlocks a new area tickles the same pleasure centers that Metroid does. Even when it felt like a pale imitation because of severely deficient enemy variety, the fun of experimenting with different gun behaviors and revisiting old areas to find new secrets kept my interest buoyed beyond its short runtime.
All in all, I was more pleased than displeased with Xeodrifter. As a fan of Renegade Kid, it takes a lot for me to hate anything they make. I found Xeodrifter was quite fun and pretty much unputdownable. My biggest complaints were the lack of unique boss fights and the short time it took to finish it. However, for the price tag of $9.99, I feel I got my money’s worth. I hope to see more such games from Renegade Kid in the future, as they have certainly proven they can do retro right and can handle Metroidvania pretty darn well.
Xeodrifter is an interesting game, in that it's both easy and difficult to recommend. The upside is that this is a finely crafted Metroidvania that oozes quality in almost every fashion, but the downside is that there just isn't a whole lot to it.
Xeodrifter is a short but sweet title. It's got some solid platforming, a well balanced difficulty, and a fun weapon system. It's a bit on the short side but is fun while it lasts, especially if you're still fiending for some Metroid-inspired action.
So long as the player expects nothing more from Xeodrifter than what it is very upfront about providing in terms of content, retro-aesthetic and gameplay, then it will be hard to feel disappointed after playing this game. It's not perfect, but there is a sincerity here that is likely to charm even the most sceptical of gamers.
A five month development cycle has resulted in a focussed and succinct sci-fi action adventure, which sets a fast pace to flow through its bright pixel art presentation, and waft along to its atmospheric chiptunes.
Xeodrifter is a good game for fans of classic 8-bit platformers and adventure style games alike, providing a fun and challenging gaming experience that rewards smart playing and creative tactics. While the game suffers from a handful of glitches, the overall design and outcome of Xeodrifter is well worth a look for anyone in the market for an old-school experience in a brand new package.
It may not be anything especially spectacular, but upon completing Xeodrifter, you surely won't regret the time that you've spent with it.
I'm of two minds when it comes to Xeodrifter. It's an homage to a game that I absolutely love, and Renegade Kid did some truly commendable things here. On the other hand, I didn't get much excitement from exploring its worlds. It's a game that will only appeal to the gamers that grew up with the games that inspired it, and even then, it might leave you wanting more.
Xeodrifter is a nice appetizer for whenever Nintendo gets around to making a new Metroid game but it definitely needed a bit more time to cook to make it feel like a more complete experience.
Overall, Xeodrifter is a blast. It's a simple game that is held up by its unique upgrades, great music, and brilliantly crafted exploration-based gameplay. If you've got an extra $10 lying around, I highly recommend Atooi's latest Switch release.
While Xeodrifter could've benefitted from more levels and a bit more boss diversity (are these guys related?), it's still an enjoyable Metroid clone that fans of the genre will certainly want to venture through. Here's hoping that, if we get a sequel, it's bigger and better.
Xeodrifiter is a fun, by-the-book way to get your fix for this niche style of gameplay
Xeodrifter was a lot of fun on Nintendo 3DS when I played it for the first time, and it was still a fun experience on Nintendo Switch – so much that I ended up playing the whole thing from start to finish over a couple of nights. Searching high and low as you unlock new skills to try and find the hidden health power-ups to increase my health bar and gun power-ups to customize my gun with faster bullets, more bullets, a wave beam style option and more is just as addictive as it was the first time, so if you haven't played this game be sure to pick it up today on Nintendo Switch.
I highly recommend Xeodrifter no matter what system you get it on—and by getting it on one, you'll automatically have it on both. It's a win-win!
Summary: There's a scarcity of places to save your game, but it's not enough to pass on Xeodrifter. It's minimalism proves that there's still a place for simplicity, even on modern powerhouse consoles. It's like the first Metroid game only, you know, playable.
Renegade Kid's throwback to yesteryear in both style and gameplay make for a rather difficult, but ultimately rewarding game that perfectly captures the tone of pulp sci-fi.