The End Is Nigh Reviews
If Super Meat Boy is Edmund McMillen's gold medal then The End Is Nigh receives a bronze at best.
The End is Nigh is infuriatingly difficult, and to that end doesn’t necessarily lend itself to lengthy play sessions, but the handily-segmented gameplay promotes a pick-up-and-play style that’s perfect for the Switch.
The End is Nigh is another excellent platformer from Edmund McMillen, it’s everything Super Meat Boy was but even better paced and well designed. It’s worth playing though it will be challenging and frustrating for most players, but it’s the right type of challenge.
In summation, after 5+ hours, I have somewhat mixed feelings about The End is Nigh. On the one hand, it’s fun in a brutally challenging way, and it’s utterly unlike most other games I’ve played, other than those developed by Ed McMillen. On the other hand, the balance feels a bit skewed in the latter half of the game, and even the first half might prove too much except for truly hardcore fans. I would say that for those who like a hefty challenge and enjoy platformers, The End is Nigh is worth getting. For everybody else, it’s really not for you.
The End Is Nigh is a simple but brilliant platformer. It doesn’t want to be your friend and it doesn’t care if it offends you. However, its tough love will certainly draw out your platforming potential if given a little perseverance. Everything looks and plays great regardless of your screen preference and with so many secrets to uncover it’s also excellent value for money. Just bear in mind that The End Is Nigh is probably not one for the kiddies…
All said The End is Nigh isn’t quite as revelatory as Super Meat Boy but then again it also isn’t somewhat single-handedly carving out a new genre. Due to the difficulty it is a bit of an acquired taste but with work and patience the fact is that the game is still very accessible and beatable. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort the amount of hidden and unlocked content in Nigh is truly impressive and while most of it amounts to more challenges of the same nature with some details altered it can still be a lot of fun for the right audience. If you’re a glutton for punishment The End is Nigh is a fitting and satisfying feast.
The End Is Nigh is a game with very clear purpose. Its a razor focused game with a strong identity that isn't for everyone but offers a thrilling challenge for those who enjoy a tough platform experience.
There are hundreds of stages, scores of collectibles, and over a dozen uniquely-themed levels in this game. But will you survive long enough to see them all?
Like a spiritual successor to Super Meat Boy, The End is Nigh takes form as a similar 2D side scrolling platform game. By adding an interconnected world to the mix, it encourages exploration, while still delivering that same hardcore and challenging experience.