Chasm Reviews
Chasm is overall a good representation of the genre but it lacks elements that elevate above other titles.
While a perfectly serviceable example of the genre, there are just better options out there in 2018.
Chasm doesn’t quite have its own identity, as it borrows so much from other games. And, while it does that decently, it’s not best in class. The randomly generated level layout, which is the game’s one unique feature, actually ends up being its biggest weakness. Maybe I am being a little too unkind, as I did have fun playing, but I just feel like it could have been so much more and that’s what bothers me the most.
Chasm might not be the best representative of its genre, and competition is fierce. It doesn’t necessarily provide a fresh experience or a particularly memorable story either, but what it does do is extremely well polished
There's a lot to enjoy in Chasm if you're after a less intense Metroidvania-like experience.
CHASM is the perfect Metroidvania for those that desire a heavier emphasis on RPG systems at the expense of less flair on the action side of things. If you like the more RPG-centric Castlevania games from the PS1 and DS eras, there’s a lot to love here. Lore nuts and audiophiles may not have a lot to get excited about, and it isn’t as infinitely replayable as the procedural generation system would have you believe, but CHASM still proves to be a solid experience.
With a lot of similarly styled games on the market right now, the vastness and the creativity of Chasm makes for a really fun take on a popular theme.
Chasm is a fascinating, mechanically sound take on the Metroidvania genre, but it also fails to do anything innovative or original that hasn't been done before in the genre, apart from the relatively minor hook of procedurally-generated worlds. Despite this, it's still a fun side-scrolling adventure that's sure to be worth your time, with challenging combat, fantastic graphics, and a cool premise all combining to make for a release that we'd recommend to fans of the genre - although there are better examples out there, many of which are on Switch right now.
This world is a joy to get lost in and thanks to the unique take on procedural design, it offers a multitude of ways to re-experience the game even after completion. Aside from some minor issues with the ho-hum traversal upgrades, Chasm is an inspired take on a well-worn genre. If you long for the days of annual Igavanias, Chasm's one of the better modern stabs at that glory.
Overall, Chasm is a decent game. With it's many dungeons it will entertain you, while uncovering the mysteries behind each stage would increase the eagerness to play. That said, it's awful story and dead characters makes the game not so wholesome.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Chasm tries something new with its procedurally generated map but it failure to create interesting maps results in a lackluster experience
It has been a long wait for Chasm and I am happy to report that it provides a great classic Metroidvania experience. It isn't as obviously polished graphically as the likes of Oni or Hollow Knight, and doesn't offer the Dark Souls stylings of Dead Cells, but it succeeds entirely on what it sets out to do. The art style is perfectly suited, the controls are responsive and focused (although I would have liked to move dodge from the Y button) and the world map is a real joy to explore, despite my worries about the procedural generation. It may not be the gamechanger that Dead Cells seems to be (having not yet played it myself) but it is a wonderfully pure and challenging experience. If you have even a passing interest in the genre, Chasm deserves a place on your playlist.
Chasm delivers in many ways, but the one thing that holds it back from the upper echelon is a world that feels as though it were built from Lego pieces.
For $19.99, you could certainly do much worse than Chasm. While I don’t feel it entirely lived up to my expectations, it does a lot of things right, and looks and plays quite well. Unfortunately, the decision to make it rogue and the lack of a developed main character prevents it from making its mark as a true Metroidvania classic. But if you enjoy Metroidvanias and are looking for a fun if flawed experience, you should give Chasm a chance. If nothing else, the highlights of this game makes me anticipate whatever project Bit Kid does next.
Most of what it does well can be contributed to Symphony of the Night, and the few innovations it makes of its own are of the one-step-forward-and-two-steps-back variety.
Chasm may not be the most original or engaging metroidvania game out there, but it's still a delightfully charming adventure/RPG game that's sure to appeal to fans of The Legend of Zelda series, old-school Castlevania and Metroid games, or anyone else whose idea of a good time involves delving into monster-infested dungeons.
Chasm's beautifully realized world can't distract from an ill-fitting gimmick that leaves its gameplay unbalanced and repetitive.
Chasm takes a stab at the action-platformer genre popularized by Castlevania and Metroid. It builds a good foundation, but flounders when it comes to making something unique and memorable.
Despite its flaws, there's still a lot of fun to be had with Chasm.
Chasm is a quite good tribute to some classic games of the Metroivania genre, with some pleasant retro style visuals. But many things are lacking - like some fresh ideas and a tighter level design - to make it more than a satisfying experience.
Review in French | Read full review